Khaleej Times

Visitors to the observatory deck, located on Level 124 of Emaar Properties’ global icon Burj Khalifa, increased 13 per cent in 2013, up from 1.66 million visitors the previous year.

Polish unicyclist Krystian Herba, the new world record holder of Stairs Climbing By Bicycle, hopes to conquer Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower measuring 828 metres, next year. “After going to Burj Khalifa today, I have this desire to climb it as soon as I get more information about it,” Kyrstian said.

He doesn’t need an introduction. But he now has a new address that his fans need to be introduced to. Malayalam matinee idol Mohanlal is set to be the latest Indian celebrity to add the Burj Khalifa tag to his address. Popularly known as Lalettan, the versatile actor, who already has a villa at Arabian Ranches, is finalising the purchase of a luxury apartment at the world’s tallest building, Khaleej Times has learnt.

Jaeyho Lee’s Chorus draws inspiration from the flow, movement and rhythm of a group of people gathering in South Korea's Gwanghwamun Square.

It is the tallest building and tallest free-standing structure in the world, has the highest number of storeys (in addition to the 160 habitable floors, it has 46 maintenance levels in the spire and two parking levels in the basement making it 206 floors in total) and highest outdoor observation deck in the world and has an elevator with the longest travel distance.

At The Top, the world’s highest observation deck housed on the 124th floor of Burj Khalifa, has been temporarily closed for “maintenance and upgrade,” it was announced on Sunday. “Due to unexpected high traffic, the observation deck experience at the Burj Khalifa, At The Top, has been temporarily closed for maintenance and upgrade. Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and sub-contractors and the public will be informed upon completion,” a Burj Khalifa spokesperson said in a statement.

Dubai got into the party mood early in the afternoon on Saturday. The roads were packed near the iconic Burj Khalifa. And the Global Village was another hotspot for visitors. At the crack of midnight, fireworks ushered in 2012 at the Burj as restaurants, night clubs and parties sported New Year themes.

A few days after its first anniversary, the Burj Khalifa, is inspiring a similar structure in China. The People’s Daily, in a report on Thursday, said the proposed $1.3 billion tower (the Burj cost an estimated $1.5 billion to build) would come up in Mentougou district of the capital and would house a seven-star hotel.

Close behind the Burj Khalifa will be many other local and global landmarks, including the three tallest towers in the world after Burj Khalifa: CN Tower, Taipei 101 and Willis Tower would all stand in the dark from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 27. The only structure from the top five yet to confirm their participation is Malaysia’s twin wonder Petronas Towers.

The Civil Defence heads, who conducted a high-level meeting in Burj Khalifa, also evaluated the systems and emergency preparedness of the world’s tallest building. They congratulated Emaar Properties PJSC, the developer of the tower, for the excellence and best practices in implementing advanced safety systems.