The Burj Khalifa is not just a skyscraper — it’s a global icon that defines the skyline of Dubai and represents the ambition and innovation of the United Arab Emirates. At 828 meters (2,716.5 feet), it is the tallest building in the world and attracts millions of tourists each year. While many people know it for its jaw-dropping height and luxurious surroundings, there are some surprising facts that make the Burj Khalifa even more fascinating.
Here are five things you probably didn’t know about the Burj Khalifa:
The name “Burj Khalifa” was actually revealed only at the official opening in 2010. During its planning and construction phases, the building was known as the “Burj Dubai.” It was renamed in honor of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the then-president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi.
This name change was more than just ceremonial — it was a nod to Abu Dhabi’s crucial financial support during Dubai’s economic crisis in 2009. Without that bailout, the project might have been delayed or scaled back.
Fun Fact: "Burj" means "tower" in Arabic, so Burj Khalifa translates to "Khalifa Tower."
The Burj Khalifa is famous for its observation decks — the “At the Top” decks on the 124th and 125th floors offer panoramic views of Dubai. But did you know there’s an even higher one?
The 148th floor, known as “At the Top SKY,” is 555 meters above ground, making it the highest observation deck in the world when it opened. It offers a VIP experience with luxury lounges and less crowd compared to the lower decks.
Bonus Secret: There are actually more than 160 floors, but not all are accessible to the public. Some higher floors are used for maintenance and technical purposes, and rumors persist of secret rooms used for exclusive VIP events or future luxury developments.
On a clear day, the Burj Khalifa is visible from nearly 95 kilometers (about 60 miles) away. This means you can spot it even if you're landing at the Dubai International Airport or driving from the outskirts of the city.
The building’s towering height and slim, elegant design make it a focal point not just in Dubai but across the UAE. At night, the Burj is often lit up with LED displays, showing everything from national flags to light shows for festivals like New Year’s Eve, making it even harder to miss.
You might think a building this tall would be vulnerable to the elements, but the Burj Khalifa is a marvel of engineering. The tower is built to withstand high winds, desert heat, and seismic activity.
The building sways slightly — up to 1.5 meters at the top — to absorb wind pressure, but this is completely safe and unnoticeable inside.
Its Y-shaped “buttressed core” design is what gives it incredible stability and reduces wind vortexes that could shake it.
It can also handle earthquakes of up to magnitude 5.5 on the Richter scale, thanks to its deep foundation and flexible materials.
The foundation is 50 meters deep and includes over 192 piles, each buried in reinforced concrete — a testament to the extreme care taken in its design.
With over 26,000 glass panels covering its exterior, keeping the Burj Khalifa clean is a never-ending job. The tower has track-mounted, telescopic boom machines specifically designed to clean the glass. These machines weigh several tons and can extend vertically to clean the entire facade.
Even so, it takes a team of 36 workers around three to four months to clean every window pane — and once they're done, they start again!
Interesting Detail: The cleaning crew is trained to work at extreme heights and must often rappel down the sides using ropes — not a job for the faint-hearted!
The Burj Khalifa is more than just an architectural masterpiece — it’s a symbol of vision, engineering brilliance, and modern-day ambition. While it’s widely known for its height and luxury, these lesser-known facts reveal just how much thought and innovation went into creating this icon.
So, the next time you look up at the Burj Khalifa — whether in person or in photos — remember that it’s not just the world’s tallest building. It’s a vertical city, a symbol of resilience, and a wonder of the modern age.