It is almost unimaginable to picture Dubai's skyline without the world's tallest building, Burj Khalifa, which turns 11 today.
When it opened, it was said to be so tall, visitors could witness the sun set twice: once from the ground floor and again two minutes later from the top.
Since then, the almost-a-kilometre-tall building has served as a flagstone of the emirate and its spiked silhouette has become recognisable across the world – cementing its place in the architecture pantheon of modern structures.
It is a hotel, residence, and the world's largest billboards, displaying images and tributes on its facade and even, famously, the countdown to the New Year.
Construction began on January 6, 2004, with the exterior of the structure completed on October 1, 2009.
Its height was kept a secret by developer, Emaar, until the very end but it had already broken records during construction, when it surpassed Chicago's Sears Tower and Taipei 101.
It is said to have taken 22 million man hours to build with an estimated 12,000 workers were on site at any one time. Much of the Downtown area was constructed at the same time.
The 828-metre skyscraper was inaugurated on January 4, 2010, by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, who also revealed its new name. Instead of the anticipated Burj Dubai, it was named Burj Khalifa.
In a glittering ceremony punctuated with skydivers and 10,000 fireworks, Sheikh Mohammed told cheering crowds that the name was one that "reflected greatness".
Motorists parked their vehicles on Sheikh Zayed Road and all along the tower to take pictures with people arriving up to four hours in advance of the event to secure an advantageous spot.
Last year, Burj Khalifa was named the 16th most Instagrammed location in the world. Four spots above the Empire State Building, and the only top 20 location not in the Americas or Europe.
It has appeared in blockbuster films, countless documentaries and can even be seen from space.
As Dubai enters one of its biggest years, with the Expo due to begin in October, Burj Khalifa continues to serve as a key landmark for the emirate, drawing tourists from around the world.
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Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
THE SPECS
Engine: 1.5-litre
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Power: 110 horsepower
Torque: 147Nm
Price: From Dh59,700
On sale: now
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
Initial investment: Undisclosed
FA Cup semi-finals
Saturday: Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur, 8.15pm (UAE)
Sunday: Chelsea v Southampton, 6pm (UAE)
Matches on Bein Sports
Mane points for safe home colouring
- Natural and grey hair takes colour differently than chemically treated hair
- Taking hair from a dark to a light colour should involve a slow transition through warmer stages of colour
- When choosing a colour (especially a lighter tone), allow for a natural lift of warmth
- Most modern hair colours are technique-based, in that they require a confident hand and taught skills
- If you decide to be brave and go for it, seek professional advice and use a semi-permanent colour
What drives subscription retailing?
Once the domain of newspaper home deliveries, subscription model retailing has combined with e-commerce to permeate myriad products and services.
The concept has grown tremendously around the world and is forecast to thrive further, according to UnivDatos Market Insights’ report on recent and predicted trends in the sector.
The global subscription e-commerce market was valued at $13.2 billion (Dh48.5bn) in 2018. It is forecast to touch $478.2bn in 2025, and include the entertainment, fitness, food, cosmetics, baby care and fashion sectors.
The report says subscription-based services currently constitute “a small trend within e-commerce”. The US hosts almost 70 per cent of recurring plan firms, including leaders Dollar Shave Club, Hello Fresh and Netflix. Walmart and Sephora are among longer established retailers entering the space.
UnivDatos cites younger and affluent urbanites as prime subscription targets, with women currently the largest share of end-users.
That’s expected to remain unchanged until 2025, when women will represent a $246.6bn market share, owing to increasing numbers of start-ups targeting women.
Personal care and beauty occupy the largest chunk of the worldwide subscription e-commerce market, with changing lifestyles, work schedules, customisation and convenience among the chief future drivers.
