Press

It still might be the most familiar symbol of Dubai, but Burj (which translates as tower) Khalifa has grabbed attention lately as the tallest freestanding structure in the world, weighing in 828 metres with the world’s first Armani Hotel and a killer viewing platform on the 124th floor that includes high-tech viewing equipment to get a close-up of buildings miles away; something the CN Tower might want to try.

At 828 meters (2,717 feet), the Burj Khalifa in Dubai has the famous distinction (or infamous distinction if you’re an acrophobiac) of being the tallest building in the world, and EHG looks to capitalize. The new restaurant, called “Atmosphere”, will be on the 122-nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, which is already home to the first Armani Hotel – the hotel chain built in corporation with Italian fashion machine Armani.

Maybe the Ritz-Carlton saw the Armani Hotel Dubai in the Burj Khalifa--the current tallest building in the world--as a challenge. Or, maybe the hotel group just wanted to create some local competition with the Park Hyatt Shanghai (to date the highest rooftop observation deck in Asia).

Austrian enamel jewellery specialist Frey Wille has opened two shop-in-shops in key airports as it seeks to further expand its presence in the duty free sector during 2010. The new outlets have started trading at Cairo Airport Terminal 3 and at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. A boutique in Madrid will start trading by the end of 2009, and there are plans for a Cannes shop next year, revealed Elmona.

We covered the grand opening ceremony of Dubai’s Burj Khalifa Tower, formerly called Burj Dubai. But amidst all the fireworks and fanfare, does this 818 meter high monument to human engineering achievement represent any innovations towards combating global warming, climate change, or other environmental breakthough – or is it simplyanother “Tower of Babel,” constructed by misguided human beings still trying to build us a city and a tower with its top in heaven?

The Armani Hotel Burj is part of the Burj Khalifa development, the tallest commercial and residential building in the world. Previously known as Burj Dubai, it was renamed Burj Khalifa during its inauguration on 4 January 2010.

It beat off Dubai's Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building, at a ceremony organised by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Broadcasting Place, on Woodhouse Lane, was shortlisted for the award after being voted Europe's best tall building by the CTBUH in June.

In Dubai on 11 January, a tour to the At The Top observation deck of Burj Khalifa turned into a nightmare for 15 visitors when they became stuck between floors in a high-speed lift, and had to be rescued via a service lift. Apparently the problem was only a ‘stall’, and hence not a major problem, but neither Burj Khalifa nor lift supplier Otis has issued any statement to date about the incident.

In May 2010, a number of Hyder's clients were taken on a knowledge sharing tour of the Burj Khalifa site to demonstrate the company's strength and direction in health & safety leadership.

Not many people from Danville can say they work in Dubai, rode a camel in Egypt, visited the Dead Sea, and attended the grand opening of the tallest building in the world — the Burj Khalifa (located in Dubai). But Kevin Melton, who graduated from Schlarman High School and attended Danville Area Community College, has done all this in the Middle East, and more.