The Burj Khalifa, known as the Burj Dubai before its inauguration, is a megatall skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.It is the tallest structure in the world, standing at 829.8 m, (2,722 ft). Construction of the Burj Khalifa began in 2004, with the exterior completed 5 years later in 2009.
The decision to build the building is reportedly based on the government's decision to diversify from an oil-based economy, and for Dubai to gain international recognition.
The building was named in honor of the ruler of Abu Dhabi and president of the United Arab Emirates, Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The building broke numerous height records, including its designation as the tallest tower in the world. The Y-shaped plan is designed for residential and hotel usage.
A buttressed core structural system is used to support the height of the building, and the cladding system is designed to withstand Dubai's summer temperatures.It contains a total of 57 elevators and 8 escalators.