Burj Dubai opening ceremony
Festivities galore at Burj Dubai opening ceremony
Trumpets, dancers, balloons and more grace the Burj Dubai Boulevard as crowds pour in to witness the launch of the tallest skyscraper in the world
In Focus | Burj Dubai
Burj Dubai observation deck
The Observation Desk of the Burj Dubai on the 124th floor will be open to the public from Tuesday, January 5. There is an indoor area with telescopes and a shopping kiosk as well as and outdoor terrace for open views. To get to the deck at approximately 440 metres above ground, two double decker elevators will carry visitors at a speed of ten metres per second.
- At the deck, there will be a boutique, where merchandise items and souvenirs can be purchased.
- Image Credit: Hadrian Hernandez
The Observation Desk of the Burj Dubai on the 124th floor will be open to the public from Tuesday, January 5. There is an indoor area with telescopes and a shopping kiosk as well as and outdoor terrace for open views. To get to the deck at approximately 440 metres above ground, two double decker elevators will carry visitors at a speed of ten metres per second.
What you can do at ‘At the Top’?
- Take in 360 degree sweeping views from the Gulf to the Arabian desert
- Enjoy unique, interactive Burj Dubai multimedia exhibits.
- See close-ups of the surroundings using high powered, telescopes
- Step out on the world’s highest public outdoor observation terrace overlooking Sheikh Zayed Road and surrounding panorama.
- Integrate reality and special effects with At the Top Green Screen Photography
- Purchase merchandise and souvenirs from the At the Top Retail Boutique.
How much does it cost?
- Dated & Timed Adult (12+): Dhs100 (based on 30 minute intervals)
- Dated & Timed Child (3-12): Dhs75 (based on 30 minute intervals)
- Immediate Entry Adult/Child: Dhs210
- Infants (0-3): Free of Charge
What time can I go there?
- Sunday to Wednesday – 10.00-22.00
- Thursday to Saturday – 10.00-24.00
Helpful information:
- Pre-purchased Tickets can be collected directly from the ‘Will Call’ counter.
- Officials recommend that tickets be purchased in advance, especially on weekends to avoid long queues
- Group Bookings of 15 or more must be made at least 24 hours prior to arrival to ensure smooth entry to the observatory.
- Last tickets sold 45 minutes prior to close
How to get there:
- At the Top, Burj Dubai is situated on level 124 of the World’s Tallest Tower, Burj Dubai.
- Access to the Ticket Counter and entrance is via The Dubai Mall, Lower Ground Level. The closest Metro Station is Burj Dubai/Dubai Mall Station.
Parking:
- Ample parking is available in The Dubai Mall Lower Ground Level of the Fashion Car park.
- Bus Parking is available off Emaar Boulevard.
Accessibility:
- At the Top, Burj Dubai provides wheelchair access to all public areas inside.
Contact:
- Phone: 800 28 843 867
- Office: +971 4 488 88124
- Fax: +971 4 488 88724
- Email: info@atthetopburjdubai.com
- http://www.atthetopburjdubai.com
Video | Business
Inside the Burj Dubai
Pictures | Business
View from Burj Dubai observation deck
Here’s a look at the first pictures from the Burj Dubai observation deck ahead of the spectacular opening of the world’s tallest tower later tonight.
Facts on the world’s largest skyscraper
Dubai has succeeded in building an architectural and engineering wonder that represents the emirate’s vision
Facts on the world’s largest skyscraper
Dubai has succeeded in building an architectural and engineering wonder that represents the emirate’s vision
- Gulf News
- Published: 09:44 January 4, 2010
Burj Dubai’s opening is a triumph
Shaikh Mohammad’s vision and leadership and the efforts of his people have paid
- Today Dubai celebrates the opening of Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building.
- Image Credit: AP
Today Dubai celebrates the opening of Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, as well as the anniversary of the accession of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE, as Ruler of Dubai. These twin celebrations mark both the abilities and professional skills of those who have built and managed this extraordinary project, and of Shaikh Mohammad’s vision and leadership that allowed the idea to flourish in the first place.
These celebrations follow a shocking year as Dubai has dealt with the global recession which hit its economy and its real estate sector in particular. The long-running eight- or nine-year property boom came to an abrupt end, and the resulting slowdown was very painful for both private- and public-sector companies, and culminated in the highly exaggerated international crescendo of rumour and allegation after the Dubai World debt freeze.
However, Dubai did get its refinancing package in place thanks to the government of Abu Dhabi. Dubai Government bonds were bought by the UAE Central Bank and Abu Dhabi banks, and there was direct support for the Dubai Financial Support Fund. Dubai is now placed to look ahead with confidence as it reverts to its core economic activities as both a regional trading hub and as an emerging global centre of the knowledge economy.
The opening of the Burj Dubai shows that companies are still breaking the mould in Dubai, and are able to surprise and impress the world. The full wonder of the technical achievements in the building of Burj Dubai will only come out over the next few months.
All this happened in Dubai, where Shaikh Mohammad, first as Crown Prince and then as Ruler, has been the driving force behind turning Dubai into a major global centre. In the early 1990s Dubai became the leading regional re-export centre, but the new globalised world was about to require a totally new approach.
Shaikh Mohammad’s particular insight was to recognise that Dubai’s future needed more than being a regional trading hub. He was determined that Dubai would be ready to take part in the emerging knowledge economy, and by setting up centres of excellence such as Internet City, Media City, Health Care City as well as Dubai International Financial Centre, he helped to shift Dubai’s economy onto a different level.
He also took advantage of the long-running boom to build the excellent infrastructure that Dubai now enjoys. The combination of both welcoming the knowledge economy, and massive infrastructure investment have positioned Dubai for decades of growth as it comes through the recession.
Tall order for Burj Dubai cleaning crew
- To date, the Burj Dubai has only been cleaned by rope access, but is intended to be predominantly cleaned by building maintenance units (BMUs) with certain isolated areas to be maintained by rope access.
Acting as a guiding beacon to lost vehicles, the glistening facade of the Burj can be seen from almost any point in the emirate. After its opening, a lot of effort will need to be made to ensure that sparkle stays.
To date, the Burj Dubai has only been cleaned by rope access, but is intended to be predominantly cleaned by building maintenance units (BMUs) with certain isolated areas to be maintained by rope access.
Ensuring the 23,000 glass panels that make up the Burj’s exterior remain clean, Cox Gomyl has installed a number of BMUs located around the Burj’s surface for both window washing and façade maintenance.
“The Burj Dubai Tower is unique and there are no other buildings near the height and complexity of it. As an icon of Dubai which will no doubt host a stream of tourists, it’s vital the façade remains clean at all times.” says Theo van der Linde, Operations Manager at Cox Gomyl.
Depending on the level, Cox Gomyl has installed a variety of systems. The parapet-mounted sliding BMUs, which have been custom made for the Burj, are designed to access the lower levels up to 380m above ground level.
Positioned along three levels, (143, 252 and 380 metres) the machines, when not in use, are designed to be parked inside the building and then travel on customised tracks to the outside of the building.
The cleaning operators then travel down the facade in order to carry out their cleaning and maintenance duties. They are also fitted with a ‘materials hoist’ which is used to replace broken glass panels on the Burj Dubai Tower.
Hawk gantry machines
Further up, the Telescopic Boom Unit works between 643 and 682 metres. These are stationary and can rotate as well as extend and retract in order to reach all surfaces.
With an ability to clean between 701m and 740 metres high are the hawk gantry machines which have jibs that can rotate to clean the glass surrounding them. Davit systems which are placed between 749 and 759 metres high are the highest point where a BMU can be installed.
Under normal weather conditions, with all 18 BMU’s in operation and 36 men manning the machines, the entire facade will take approximately two to three months to clean.
“The cleaning cycle is influenced by weather conditions; if we have a dust storm the windows will need to be cleaned more often; if we have a lot of rain the cleaning will be much faster. The normal cleaning cycle is 4 cycles per annum, always starting from the top going down to prevent dirty water from falling on clean windows. Also, during the summer, the windows become very hot so once water is applied to the glass it evaporates immediately. The cleaning cycle should follow the shaded area of the building,” says Mr van der Linde.
“The BMUs, which took almost a year to install, had to be designed to operate in extreme conditions. Factors that had to be taken into account were wind speeds, movement of the building and extremely tight tolerances. The cleaning cycle also had to be taken into account given the size of the building,” says Mr van der Linde.
Rope access
The very top of the Burj which is unreachable by ordinary window-washing cradles, is reserved for more adventurous window cleaners using rope access. The Burj Dubai has specific rope access anchorage on areas such as the spire that enable safe access to change the building’s aircraft warning lights, aesthetic lights and general surface cleaning.
Cleaners are able to access the very top via an internal ladder equipped with a fall arrest device, up the 110-metre high and 2-metre diameter spire. A hatch gives access to the anchorage from where the ropes can be rigged to access the areas below.
“Surprisingly enough, there is not a lot of difference between cleaning and maintaining the 16th floor, as opposed to the 160th floor. The only consideration really is the wind where more points of attachment were required to ensure the abseilers’ safety during wind unpredictability that is more frequently experienced at that height,” Daniel Gill Business Development Manager at Megarme explains.
Megarme, which has technicians with an excess of 15 years’ experience, is currently attempting to secure the tower’s ongoing maintenance package.
All rope-access technicians are trained from scratch. The industry is governed by a number of global associations, the more respected and reputed being IRATA International (Industrial Rope Access Trade Association).
Megarme, who hold a Full IRATA Company Membership, have all their technicians individually trained, assessed and registered to an appropriate skill level and qualification and require constant refresher training and reassessment every three years to maintain that qualification.
Sun protection
To protect themselves from the sun, the technicians have to carry with them hydration packs supplying an electrolyte sport beverage and wear specialised clothing resembling moon suits. Work is planned around the positioning of the sun by using the natural shade of the buildings.
“Heat is the biggest threat to our safety when talking about natural elements. The municipalities have also implemented “stop work” breaks during the hotter months to attempt to avoid unnecessary heat related injuries.
However, it comes down to the education of the person responding to the indications of their body and the support of their team mates around them,” says Gill
“Working at heights has its additional dangers however, the biggest contributor to accidents in rope access is a lack of experience and training. Although working at extreme heights is no different to lesser heights it’s often the individual’s mind that hinders the most,” Gill explains.
Burj Dubai: Towering challenge for builders
Project breaks new ground in terms of architectural design, facilities and utilities
Burj Dubai: Towering challenge for builders
Project breaks new ground in terms of architectural design, facilities and utilities
- By Irish Eden Belleza, Web Coordinator – Business, Gulf News
- Published: 00:00 January 4, 2010
As the Burj Dubai is prepared for a spectacular opening on January 4, its builders will hark back to the difficult structural engineering challenges that they had to address and resolve to complete the super-tall project.
“This is a first-of-its-kind project in the world and we are excited and proud to be part of history. This is a project that people from all over the world will really appreciate,” says George J. Efstathiou, Managing Partner of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), the project design and structural engineering contractor of Burj Dubai.
Designing the Burj was an evolving experience, adds Bill Baker, chief structural engineer of Burj Dubai and partner in charge of structural and civil engineering for the Chicago and London offices of SOM.
Their initial goal was to design the world’s tallest building that would be just a bit taller than Taipei 101, the previous tallest structure. They eventually ended up surpassing the world’s tallest tower by a considerable margin.
“As engineers, it was fairly exciting to achieve things beyond what we initially thought were not possible,” says Baker, the guy at SOM who makes sure that the quality, innovation, material economy, and cost efficiency are customised to fit each project’s scope and needs. “The client wanted us to keep going higher and higher. So the new challenge was to see how high we could go.”
For the Burj Dubai project, the SOM team consisted of more than 65 people, including architects, structural and MEP engineers, and administration personnel.
Origins
“I was involved from the very beginning. Actually, I went to the interview with the developer back in March 2003,” Baker tells Gulf News. “With the rest of the design team, the architects and the mechanical engineers, we worked on how to put this building together, how it should be made and how it should be shaped. My team coordinated with the other teams so that all the pipes fit, all the plumbing fits, the electrical connections fit and all the other things fit. We had a very long series of intense coordination.”
Baker added that there was no “one” biggest challenge in implementing the project. What they had was a series of challenges.
“Basically, the first four years were the most intense while the designing started in early 2007,” recalls Baker. “Also, understanding how it could be efficiently and economically built was a challenge.”
Another major challenge was understanding the wind and how the building reacted to it. SOM did a series of testing in coordination with different architects, engineers and consultants. For a building of this height and slenderness, wind forces and the resulting motions in the upper levels become dominant factors in the structural design.
Wind tunnel programme
An extensive programme of wind tunnel tests and other studies were undertaken under the direction of Dr Peter Irvin of Rowan William Davies and Irwin’s (RWDI) boundary layer wind tunnels in Guelph, Ontario.
“Early in the project, we thought we would allow for a damper if one needed to be built; so we set a cross at an area at the top of the building where we could put a damper, but it looks like we don’t need it because we are comfortably below the criteria. The numbers are so low that movement may not be perceptible at all, even in a big storm,” says Baker.
A damper is essentially a device that helps buildings withstand the force exerted by the wind or by seismic activity.
Among other things, the wind tunnel programme helped determine the impact of the different forces acting on the building, simulated the dynamic behaviour of the building, measured localised pressures, and established a statistical model of the wind climate for the project area.
The Burj Dubai’s foundation is not very different from much smaller conventional buildings. The way the tower spreads as it nears its base spreads the load over a larger area.
Design-wise, Burj Dubai is just one large, extruded structure that has been trimmed to form its shape.
To support the unprecedented height of the building, the engineers developed a new structural system called the ‘buttressed core’, which consists of a hexagonal core reinforced by three buttresses that form the ‘Y’ shape. This structural system enables the building to support itself laterally and keeps it from twisting.
Burj Dubai is expected to hold up to 35,000 people at any given time. Since current elevator technology would not permit a single elevator to travel the entire height of the building, the only means of serving all floors of this structure was to design a transfer system, connecting elevators serving separate sections of the building.
Elevator system
The building utilises high-speed, non-stop shuttle elevators bringing passengers to sky lobby floors where they transfer to local elevators serving the floors in between.
Burj Dubai will have 58 elevators and 8 escalators, which include 20 Gen2 flat belt elevators and two double deck observation deck cabs with a capacity for 12-14 people per cab.
Travelling at 10 metres per second, they will have the world’s longest travel distance from lowest to highest stop. The building service/fireman’s elevator will have a capacity of 5,500 kilograms and will be the world’s tallest service elevator.
Burj Dubai will also be the first high-rise building to contain controlled evacuation elevators for emergency situations. The tallest tower in the world will also have the world’s highest elevator installation — The spire maintenance elevator — situated inside a rod at the very top of the building.
Water system
The Burj Dubai’s water system will supply an average of about 946,000 litres of water per day. At the peak cooling times, the tower will require approximately 10,000 tonnes of cooling per hour, which is equivalent to the capacity provided by 10,000 tonnes (22.4 million lbs or 10.2 million kg) of melting ice in one day.
The tower will also have a condensate collection system, which will use the hot and humid outside air, combined with the cooling requirements of the building and will result in a significant amount of condensation of moisture from the air.
The condensed water will be collected and drained into a holding tank located in the basement car park.
This water will then be pumped into the site irrigation system for use on the tower’s landscape plantings. This system will provide about 15 million gallons of supplemental water per year, equivalent to nearly 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Interiors
On the architectural concept and interiors of Burj Dubai, Baker said that the building’s design incorporates cultural and historical elements particular to the region. The Y-shaped plan is ideal for residential and hotel usage, with the wings allowing maximum outward views and inward natural light, he added.
The design of the Burj Dubai is derived from the geometries of the desert flower and the patterning systems embodied in Islamic architecture.
When asked about how he thinks the public will react to the architectural work Baker said: “Once the Burj Dubai is completely cleaned on the outside and the stainless steel and the glass catches the light, it will look like a torch in certain times of the day. It’s very majestic.”
Local influences
“We knew that the people who will be occupying this building will be coming from all over the world. So we needed to come up with a design and an approach that would be appealing to a broad range of tastes,” says Nada Andric, Project Interiors Designer and Associate Director at SOM.
In addition, we had to consider the geometry of the building and the influences of the local, regional culture.”
Andric said that they drew a lot of inspiration from the elements that are important to Dubai. Water is a recurring element in the interiors; right at the entry lobby, a pool has been built with a bridge that leads to interior lobby where another water-themed element is introduced – a fountain.
“This being the premier residence of people from all over the world, we also felt that the materials we use for the designs must exude quality and luxury,” said Andric, adding that they have sourced around four to five very precious materials that were used in the interiors of the building.
Keeping the Burj Dubai site safe for workers
Strict, almost military-like rules were enforced
- During construction Burj Dubai, there was an on-site rescue team, and an in-house paramedic team.
Dubai: As the Burj Dubai tower crept up so did the safety measures enforced on the 10,000 construction workers from over 59 companies that built the world’s tallest tower.
“We had to be strict, almost military like, when enforcing the health and safety rules,” Mohammad Moiz Al Deen, health and safety manager at Burj Dubai, said.
“There was a zero tolerance policy for smoking — people were fired immediately if they were caught, no matter what the situation or circumstance. More than 100 people were fired including those working in higher management.”
The site had designated smoking, eating and drinking areas for workers.
“We incorporated all the local health and safety laws and consulted a number of international consultants for their health and safety guidelines such as the Health and Safety Commission (HSC) from the UK and the Spanish Embassy,” Moiz Al Deen said.
In adherence to the local health and safety standards it was mandatory for all workers to wear PPE equipment at all times, in addition to wearing a safety harness when working at a height.
All workers were required to take their compulsory breaks between 12.30pm and 3pm during summer, amongst other regulations.
Power tools used at the tower were converted to work with 110 volts, instead of the usual 220 volts to minimise risk of accident, while fire hydrants and extinguishers were placed on every floor.
Safety barriers were put up at all levels and safety officers were present on-site at all times. In order to ensure the site security, CCTV cameras covered every entrance and exit at the tower.
Every single worker would have to go through four hours of training before they reported to work where they would learn the emergency evacuation procedures and mandatory regulations. In addition to that, every morning before work, they needed to undergo a 15 minute health and safety training.
“We followed a zero incident policy so all workers had to wear a full body harness at all times when moving within the structure.
“When working on the higher levels, workers had to be trained in certain health and safety [measures] for certain levels depending on the work they did. It was very thorough; we checked their medical history, physical ability etc,” Moiz Al Deen said.
Lost in translation
“The biggest problem when it came to health and safety was the communication barrier. We had so many different nationalities who did not speak a common language. We had people from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal etc. During our health and safety inductions we [had] hired translators,” he added.
During construction, there was an on-site rescue team, and an in-house paramedic team. Other preventative measures included emergency escape cages for up to 75 workers which would have been hoisted down by a crane from the top of the tower in case of a fire or other similar emergency. A rescue helicopter was also in place to lift the crane operators to safety.
Due to the increased number of high rise buildings under construction, the Dubai Civil Defence purchased two custom helicopters for fire-fighting and rescue operations.
Throughout the whole construction period of the Burj Dubai tower, only one construction-related death was reported in June, 2007.
A spokesperson from Emaar confirmed the death, saying: “We regret to announce a fatality reported by our contractor at Burj Dubai, where a worker fell to his death.
“We sympathise with the worker and his family.” The worker was killed after falling from the climb form.
Thousands to attend inauguration of Burj Dubai
Dubai: Burj Dubai, the world’s tallest building, will open today in a carefully orchestrated ceremony before a crowd of thousands.
A festive atmosphere will mark Downtown Burj Dubai throughout the day with a variety of activities taking place with UAE culture and heritage as the theme.
There will be traditional music and theatre, handicrafts, and Emirati cuisine will be served. A traditional Emirati wedding will also be held.
Burj Dubai is over 800 metres tall and has more than 160 storeys, the most of any building in the world.
Besides an observation deck on its 124th floor affording 360-degree views of the entire city, Burj Dubai is home to the world’s first Armani Hotel, luxury offices and residences, and a variety of other sophisticated leisure and entertainment facilities.
Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), Burj Dubai is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. New York-based Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager.
The tower employs the latest in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods.
13,000 parking slots arranged for grand launch
Dubai Dubai Police have finalised the security preparations for the grand opening of the Burj Dubai yesterday with about 13,000 parking spaces allocated to the public.
During a meeting at the Address Hotel, police and security officials discussed the final preparations for the occasion, according to Major General Mohammad Eid Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Protective Security and Emergency, Dubai Police.
Burj Dubai offers amazing high-rise experience
Host of facilities promises to make the Burj Dubai a must-stop attraction for all travellers to the Middle East
Dubai: The Burj Dubai is not only the tallest man-made structure ever built, it is also — compared to other super high-rises worldwide — a true multi-purpose building.
While other comparable skyscrapers like the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, the Taipei 101 or the Willis Tower in Chicago (formerly Sears Tower) are mainly used for offices or business purposes, the Burj Dubai has it all: It comprises a hotel, residential apartments, offices as well as public facilities.
The main attraction is undoubtedly the Observation Deck called “At The Top” on the 124th floor, at a height of 442 metres above ground, which offers an indoor panorama floor with special telescopes as well as an outdoor area for the real experience.
The deck can be reached by double-decker elevators, which carry 21 persons at each deck and travel at ear-popping speed of 10 metres per second, making them some of the fastest elevators ever built.
The Observation Deck is situated way above the last residential floors, which end at the 108th storey. Above the deck, the tower continues with offices up to the 154th floor.
The observatory is expected to be the highlight of any visit to the Middle East. The trip to the sky begins at the lower ground level of the Dubai Mall, where visitors are put in the right mood by a multimedia presentation before they enter the elevator lobby at the concourse of the Burj Dubai. At the deck, there will be a boutique, where merchandise items and souvenirs can be purchased.
Thomas Dempsey, General Manager, Burj Dubai, says “At The Top will be a never-before experience for visitors. The entire journey — starting from the welcome lobby at The Dubai Mall through a 65-metre travelator to the vertical travel in a double-deck elevator to finally watching the world uninterrupted from Level 124 — is educational, inspirational, compelling and thoroughly fulfilling.”
The Observation Deck will be the highest level that public visitors can reach in the tower. There are also a number of sky lobbies at the upper part of the building, notably at the 123th floor below the deck, as well as on the 76th and 43th floor, which are meant for residents and office workers, but can also be used by guests as a meet-and-greet venue. The sky lobbies include fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, jacuzzis and a recreation room for gatherings and events.
Floor 122 is the home to at.mosphere, a fine dining restaurant which is supposed to be the highest restaurant in the world.
The Club is a four-storey health and recreation annex to Burj Dubai. Priority is given to tower residents, but it is also open to the public. The facilities include two indoor and outdoor pools, two gymnasiums with a dedicated ladies-only gym and a spa facility.
At the concourse level of the tower, there are shopping facilities as well as a restaurant. Storeys one to three are occupied by the Armani hotel lobbies and restaurants. Altogether, the Armani hotel, whose guest rooms range from floor 5 to 39, is home to eight restaurants, an upscale lounge and several brand stores.
Visitors to the Burj Dubai will also be welcomed by more than 1,000 specially commissioned pieces of art that are spread across the interiors of the tower. In the residential lobby, the “World Voices” collection by artist Jaume Plensa can be viewed.
Other art pieces from prominent Middle East and international artists are supposed to give visitors the experience of an artistic tribute to the spirit of global harmony.
George Efstathiou, Managing Partner for the tower’s architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill leading the Burj Dubai team said: “The 1,000 art pieces will include a wide range of contemporary artists as well as museum-standard historic art recognising the Gulf’s unique heritage.”
Outside the Burj Dubai, eleven hectares of park await public visitors. The landscape includes greenery, outdoor spaces, dining, leisure and playing areas as well as the Dubai Fountain and other themed water experiences.
At the grand terrace visitors can rick their necks to look up the 800+ metres structure, and the water terraces are composed of several levels that are stepping down towards the surrounding lake’s edge.
Observation deck
Located at the 124th floor at 442 metres height
Access by high-speed double decker elevators riding at 10 metres per seconds
Indoor lobby and outdoor terrace with telescopes
Access Sun-Wed 10am-10pm, Thu-Sat 10am-12pm
Ticket price Dh100 for adults, Dh75 for kids under 12, Dh210 for ‘urgent access’
Souvenir shop
Special effects will dazzle at Burj Dubai
- The dawn of the new decade as seen from At The Top, the world’s highest outdoor observatory deck located on Level 124 of the Burj Dubai. The opening ceremony will feature spectacular fireworks and special effects in three themed shows topped by a dazzling finale.
Dubai: The inauguration of Burj Dubai — the world’s tallest building — will feature a spectacular display of fireworks, light beams, choreographed water displays and sound and music effects that will portray the evolution of the world’s most iconic new building in a breathtaking sensory journey.
In all, 868 high-powered stroboscope lights will be integrated into the facade of Burj Dubai and the tower’s spire — and each stroboscope will be operated individually to create a series of hypnotic lighting sequences.
The entire display is controlled by a sophisticated arrangement of ultra-high-tech IT systems, which choreograph at least 50 sequences of lighting, fireworks, water and sound effects.
Event experts from France, Britain and the United States collaborated on the project, demonstrating the global spirit of teamwork which defines Burj Dubai itself.
Powerful strobelights will be fixed near the pinnacle of the tower, and six “narrow beam” searchlights will be positioned 700 metres up the tower.
The entire inauguration consists of a pre-show and three themed acts — From the Desert Flower to Burj Dubai, Heart Beat, and From Dubai and the UAE to the World — and a fireworks finale.
A giant screen on Burj Park Island as well as several television screens located in Downtown Burj Dubai including the Waterfront Promenade, will convey the inauguration to the spectators.
The international media, including Dubai TV, will broadcast the event worldwide.
The public can watch the inauguration from the Waterfront Promenade adjacent to The Dubai Mall.
The inauguration begins with a short film depicting the story of Dubai and the evolution of the Burj Dubai as the world’s tallest building.
The carefully choreographed sound, light, water and fireworks display will follow.
The first act in the light and sound show, themed From the Desert Flower to Burj Dubai, is a co-ordinated water, light and fireworks display.
Guests can watch the unfolding of the desert lily, Hymenocallis, the design inspiration of the Burj Dubai.
The segment ends with a rhythmic water and fireworks show.
The second act, Heart Beat, captures the construction of the tower in a dynamic light show.
An astonishing example of technological innovation, the display recreates the effect of a beating heart and uses no fewer than 300 space cannon projectors to generate a shadow-like image of the tower.
In the third act, From Dubai and the UAE to the World, sky tracers envelop the tower in a strong halo of white light before reproducing the sunbeams of the developer’s corporate logo.
These then expand in all directions as the lighting rig on the tower’s spire activates.
In its spectacular finale, the show will feature an impressive show of 10,000 fireworks on and from the tower.
The sparkling display will illuminate the entire Downtown Burj Dubai area.
Grand opening
- The opening ceremony is expected to start at 8pm
- Entertainment shows available in the vicinity from 7:30am
- Local: Dubai TV and Dubai One channels, starting from 1:30pm to 9pm, plus Sama Dubai, Dubai One and Noor Dubai
- Other TV stations including international broadcasters in Arabic, English and Indian amongst others will have coverage of the Burj Dubai opening.
Are you looking forward to the launch of the Burj Dubai? When do you plan to visit the observation deck? Send us your comments by clicking on the ‘Post a comment’ link below.