Burj Khalifa – Dubai, tallest structure in the world
When it comes to Guinness records in construction, very often you’re being chased, and will get left only second best, by Dubai. Their latest Burj Khalifa skycraper which opened in the 4th of January this year, is just another perfect example, setting up 14 world records, mostly related to heights. The construction which took 5 years to complete now resembles the tallest man-made structure ever built, rising up 828 m high, leaving Warsaw radio mast second with 646.38 m, and that’s not even for residential use.
The cost of this project alone is $1.5 billions, part of the $20 billion Downtown Dubai. Only in Dubai in such down time worldwide economic crisis would you see these spendings. Spendings that in March 2009 made office space of 1 sq ft cost $4,000, that’s $43,000 per square meter. Now when the project was still in construction, I used to ask my self how comfortable would I be living in a never tried before heights, how convenient would it be if I reach 800 m high, only to realize I forgot my laptop in the car. That’s a long ride isn’t it?
But that’s just me, and they probably have it figured out. And it’s not like I’ll be able to afford it anyhow. But with such prices, who can? How many would be able to, and how many would agree to make such an investment. Is there really a payback period for this project? Or is it meant as another symbol for Dubai like Burj Al-Arab? Remember we’re not adding up the maintenance cost here. Can you imagine the cost of just cleaning up these windows?
Apparently, it would take 36 workers three to four months to wash up the 24,348 windows of the building. Mind you these aren’t regular window washers, but rather ones with exceptional bravery for heights and strong winds.
The Observation Deck:
On January 5th, At The Top, third highest observation deck in the world, opened on the 124th floor, at a hight of 442 m, only to be closed to the public 3 days later, after a power supply failure locked tourists in the elevator for 45 minutes. Rumors spread about the reopening of the deck on February 14th, but apparently they are just that, rumors. So tourists don’t raise your hopes in getting anything more than a close look at the building from outside right now, or else you’ll end up like others.
Outside Burj Khalifa:
Outside the skycraper lays the the $217 million record fountain system called Dubai Fountain. The fountain is a masterpiece by it self (see video below). Also, Burj Khalifa park surrounds the building spreading across 27-acre, mimicing the core design concepts of the building it self, which is based on the desert flower, Hymenocallis.
Videos:
Something that beautiful can’t be described in words, and no, not even a picture would do. Enjoy these video collections.
Did you see the writings on the wall?
First day of observation deck opening.
Window cleaning has never been more difficult.
Dubai Fountain
World record base jumping off Burj Khalifa
References:
Popularity: 9% [?]
Dubai’s Shark Aquarium leaks and gets evacuated
One of the largest aquariums in the world, and one that is full of sharks, Dubai Mall’s Aquarium suffered minor water leakage that caused evacuation and chaos. A visitor it seems caught this short video for us to watch.
Apparently, the incident was caused by a silicon joint failure, and was quickly put under control.
Related Stories:
- TreeHugger
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Popularity: 2% [?]
Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai
Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai
Brief:
This hotel in Dubai is situated near the crescent of The Palm, conveniently located near a variety of attractions and conveniences. The Village Center is located only five minutes from the Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai, while the center of Dubai is only 20 minutes away.
The Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai is situated only 30 minutes from the Dubai International Airport
Rooms at the hotel feature mini-bars, satellite television, Internet service and bathrobes. Suites at the Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai feature dressing areas, walk-in wardrobes and jetted tubs.
The Atlantis The Palm Hotel Dubai offers a wealth of amenities and conveniences, including no less than 17 restaurants, and lounges. The hotel also offers a spa and fitness center, three lagoons complete with dolphins, on-site shopping center, two swimming pools and concierge service. Guests can enjoy a range of water sports at Atlantis beach. In addition, deep sea fishing excursions can also be arranged through the hotel. The hotel offers a total of 1,373 rooms and 166 suites. The hotel is designed with two towers that are spanned by a Bridge Suite.
Amenities
- 24 Hour Reception
- Air Conditioned
- Babysitting / Child Services
- Bath / Hot Tub
- Business Center
- Cable / Satellite TV
- Coffee / Tea Maker
- Concierge
- Conference Room(s)
- Disabled Access
- Elevator / Lift
- Fitness Room
- Gymnasium
- Hair Dryer
- High-speed Internet
- Laundry service
- Massage / Beauty Centre
- Meeting Rooms
- Mini Bar
- Non-Smoking Rooms
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Room Service
- Sauna
- Swimming pool
- TV
More Photos:
Short & Sweet: Atlantis The Palm Hotel is one of the brand new and most luxurious hotels in Dubai, built over the sea, opened in September 2008 in a ceremony that cost, despite of the crisis, $16M, with total of 100,000 fireworks, around seven times that of Beijing 2008 opening. I’m not sure whether it’s wise to thank the crisis, but a night for two in such a luxurious hotel can be reached for approximately $400 in this January. Not bad at all. And you’ll get to try out the leap of faith water slide, rising along 200 ft at an incline of 84 degrees.
If you’re interested, you can see more photos, and check the latest hotel rate here.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Dubai Metor Opening – World’s longest, and first in Arabia
Popularity: 2% [?]
The Dynamic Tower
Imagine an 80-floor tower that changes shape… Constantly, rotating, every second. Not the whole building, but each and every floor of it, on it’s own, rotating in it’s own direction, as desired. How much energy would such a building require, if it is possible that is. What would you say if Mr. David Fisher, it’s designer, is going to have the building powers it self? By placing giant wind turbines between the floors, in addition to the solar panel powers, the building will not only have enough energy for it self, but it’s going to power the buildings around it as well! And if all of this seems like a mission impossible to accomplish, the team behind it have made the design even easier than ever for construction, allowing for first time offices to be completely built in the factory, and then attached to the building, decreasing construction time, hazard, cost, and workers on-site.
Watch all of this and more in the video below.
For more of such magnificent designs of the future, including the floating iceberg hotel, new Barcelona Stadium, and more… check out conceirge.com.
Seeking hotel offers? Maybe we can help.
Popularity: 3% [?]
Anara Tower in Dubai
Anara Tower, the 125 stories building, where art and culture meet. A mixed-use residential tower with world-class art gallery, celebrated public art, five-star boutique hotel built around principles of modern Islam. Raising over 600m in height, and located at the entrance to Dubai Media City on Sheikh Zayed Road, the new bizarre uniquely designed building is destined to be probably the new face of Dubai.
Find Hotels In Dubai…
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Dubai drowning in debts
With the global economy crisis hitting first before any other the real estate business, who do you think would suffer the most? Dubai, the world’s fastest rising city is suffering severely not only from the lower real estate prices, but with luxurious originally worth 800,000 euros 200 square meter apartments and the like are lacking any buyers, even after price cut. The crisis is so bad, and with Dubai’s international borrowing debts closing date approaching later this year, the Dubai government have stated they will be issuing $20 billions in long term bonds, $10 of which as a first installment, to help Dubai through the crisis.
Popularity: 13% [?]
Atalntis, The Palm Opening
Crisis or not, Dubai is moving full speed with all of its projects. 24th of September last year was the opening day of the magnificent one of three to come Atlantis, The Palm Hotel.
The hotel which cost 1.5 billion dollars to build over the sea did not save any costs as well on the opening, with a budget of 20 million dollars for the ceremony.
More on the story here.
Popularity: 14% [?]
Burj Al-Arab
Welcome to 7ojozat blog. Our first hotel post won’t be a surprise but more of a must for the 6 stars hote. Burj Al-Arab is what we are talking about here. The design of Tom Wright in Dubai was by the time it finished, 1999, the tallest pure hotel construction. While no project budget was ever released to the public, analysts estimate that a break even of period of 400 fully booked years is needed. So was that a failure project? Depends on what’s your definition of failure and success here. The goal behind this huge project is mostly strategic to attract attention to Dubai as a worldwide center for pleasure and business. In that sense, I don’t think you could say it failed.
A single night inside this magnificent structure would cost few thousands of dollars, and be ready for huge service charge bill. The most expensive room is the highest one. I have seen a documentary about it once, but honestly, it was costly but not relaxing. Strong red colors and rotating room, not my choice. See this video for some more insight.
If you want to read more about Burj Al-Arab, Wikipedia is your best pick. If you plan on visiting Dubai, and most likely those prices won’t suit you, then take a look at the list of over 100 hotels there and compare their prices.
Popularity: 7% [?]
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