Burj Dubai, world's tallest building, opens today

Started at the height of the economic boom and built by some 12,000 laborers, the world's tallest building with 160 floors, 820 meters high, will open on Monday (December 4, 2010) in Dubai as the glitzy emirate seeks to rekindle optimism after its financial crisis.

Burj (tower) Dubai, whose opening has been delayed twice since construction began in 2004, will mark another milestone for the deeply indebted emirate with a penchant for seeking new records.

Dubai, one of seven members of the United Arab Emirates, gained a reputation for excess with the creation of man-made islands shaped like palms and an indoor ski slope in the desert.

Dubai's real estate sector crashed at the end of 2008 when the global financial crisis hit the emirate after a six-year economic boom. Thousands of jobs were slashed and projects worth billions of dollars were canceled or delayed.

With analysts suggesting tax-free Dubai might sell some of its assets to boost revenues and slash $80 billion in debt, many wondered if the tower was on the list for grabs.

Experts believe Dubai's recent financial troubles have not hurt sales of approximately 1,100 residential units in the Burj -- meaning tower in Arabic -- saying they were nearly all sold.

According to the announcements by architects, the tenants who don't like the outside world will not have to go below the 108th floor ever again since Burj Dubai is the city for itself.

The superscraper, which took six years to build as part of a £13 billion development, is the height of the Taipei 101 in Taiwan with the Eiffel Tower on top.

Ceremonious opening of the tower is announced as the "social event of the season".

All hotels in Dubai are full because of the opening ceremony, and there are watchtowers all around the city for spectacular fireworks. About 1,000 police officers around the building will be securing nearly 6,000 guests.

- Burj Dubai is a sparkling success of architecture, as well as the symbol of new, prosperous, dynamic and successful Near East - said Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai Emirate.

As Sheikh says, the crisis will pass sooner or later, while Burj Dubai will remain the world's tallest building for eternity.

Burj Dubai

Dubai

Taipei 101

Eiffel Tower

Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum