Burj Khalifa reopens observation deck

Members of the public are again able to take in the panoramic views from the At The Top viewing platform on the 124th floor.

DUBAI // The observation deck of the world's tallest tower has reopened to the public after almost two months. A steady stream of visitors had this morning returned to the Burj Khalifa, eager to take in the panoramic views from the At The Top viewing platform on the 124th floor. Staff at the reception desk said it had quietly reopened at noon today with no fanfare. Emaar, which manages the tower, has not officially confirmed the reopening of the 828 metre skyscraper, which closed suddenly on February 7 after reports of a faulty lift. Emaar said previously it had closed At The Top for maintenance and upgrades, made necessary by the high number of visitors in the first month. Queuing with about 60 tourists this afternoon was Pio Campos, 35, from the Philippines, who works at the Marriott Harbour Hotel in Dubai Marina. "I had to call its [Burj Khalifa's] information desk every day for the hotel's guests who wanted to go up the tower. Then today, they told me it was open and I was a bit surprised," he said. The Burj Khalifa, which has more than 160 storeys, opened with a massive fireworks display that was beamed to televisions across the world on January 4 after five years of construction. [e-mail]