Burj Dubai Is Renamed Burj Khalifa At Grand Opening

Published by djmick on January 4th, 2010

Burj Khalifa Grand Opening

Dubai has opened the world’s tallest skycraper, renaming it the Burj Khalifa in honour of the man who bailed the financially troubled Gulf state out of its debts.

Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum renamed the tower Burj Khalifa after the president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

The $1.5-billion tower reaches 2,717 ft (828 metres) into the sky, exceeding the next highest structure by some 1,000 feet (300 metres).

The tower was opened by Dubai’s ruler with a spectacular display of fireworks, lights and lasers, which fired out and shone from the sides of the building all the way up its tubular spire to its peak.