UAE then and now: how Dubai's Burj Khalifa went from dream to world's tallest building

Use our interactive slider to explore how the skyscraper changed the city

Today, life in the Emirates moves in the fast lane. In a new regular series to mark the 50th anniversary of the UAE we take a little trip back in time and see just how much the country has changed.

When this photograph was taken in May 2006, the unfinished Burj Khalifa had reached 300 metres and equalled Eiffel Tower in Paris.

Indeed, the structure was already among the 20 tallest buildings in the world.

Four years and 530 metres later, the Burj was crowned the king of the sky-scrapers – and by some measure.

It is 200 metres taller than the second-placed Shanghai Tower, and close to twice the height of the Empire State Building, which held the title from 1931 for nearly 50 years.

It has been calculated that Burj Khalifa's spire alone would qualify it to be the 11th tallest building in Europe.

But numbers cannot convey the awesome size of Burj Khalifa, an icon of Dubai and a tribute to the The President, Sheikh Khalifa, when it opened on January 4, 2010. A year earlier it had already surpassed the previous title holder, Taipei 101.

Construction began in 2004 as the centrepiece of a new development, Downtown Dubai, that would also include the massive Dubai Mall and the spectacular dancing Dubai Fountain, which together create one of the world’s top tourist attractions. More recently, the striking Dubai Opera building has been added.

Burj Khalifa was designed by Adrian Smith of Skidmore, Owings and Merrit and influenced by Islamic themes including the Great Mosque of Samarra in Iraq.

It uses a tubular system of construction, decreasing in size with its height to minimise wind resistance. Even so, it is estimated the tower sways 1.5 metres at its highest point.

Its observation deck, on the 124th floor is the highest in the world, while its lifts travel the longest distance. The building’s height also means that after viewing the sunset at ground level, it is possible to take the lift to the observation deck and watch it set again. During Ramadan, it also means the fast is broken four minutes later.

A decade later, Burj Khalifa's crown remains intact. Merdeka 118, due for completion next year in Kuala Lumpar will be the new second-tallest building, but reaching only 644 metres.

Under construction in Saudi Arabia since 2013, the Jeddah Tower is to be the world’s first one kilometre-high building, but is reported to have been on hold since 2018.

From dream to world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa - in pictures 

The Burj Khalifa in 2008 as it edges towards completion. Ryan Carter / The National

Emaar Properties founder, Mohamed Alabbar, with fashion designer Giorgio Armani visiting the site two years earlier. Emaar was responsible for developing the Burj, while an Armani Hotel opened there in 2010. Getty Images

Burj Khalifa in 2009, just under a year from its grand opening. Jeffrey E Biteng / The National

The big day arrives: Burj Khalifa casts a striking shadow over Dubai on January 4, 2010. A ceremony at 8pm that night heralded its opening. Amy Leang / The National

A worker getting the site ready for the big event. Paulo Vecina / The National

Colourful fireworks mark the opening of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai on January 4, 2010. Paulo Vecina / The National

The image of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, is displayed on a big screen during the grand opening of the Burj Khalifa. Amy Leang / The National

People watch fireworks during the opening ceremony. Jaime Puebla / The National

New Dubai: The Burj Al Arab hotel, left, and Jumeirah Beach hotel, right, frame the Burj Khalifa, centre. This shot was taken in 2010. Pawan Singh / The National

Emaar founder, Mohamed Ali Alabbar, in 2010 with the completed Burj Khalifa. Pawan Singh / The National

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, on top of the Burj Khalifa, bearing the logo of Dubai's Expo 2020 campaign. Ali Issa / AFP

Burj Khalifa is known across the world for its fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Burj Khalifa is also known for the dancing fountains at its base. Pawan Singh / The National

Light shows are also a feature and portray themes of the day. In April, the Indian flag was projected on its facade to mark the UAE's support for the country's efforts to confront the Covid-19 pandemic. Pawan Singh / The National.

The building now attracts tourists from the across the world. Tarek Fahmy / Reuters

And it forms the centrepiece of Dubai's spectacular and ever growing skyline. Getty Images