This monstrous beauty is currently the tallest man made structure in all the world, and yes, it sits in the middle of Dubai. Dubai may be known as an oil-rich nation in the middle east, but it’s been trying to revamp it’s economy and image in the last decade.
What I love about this building is that the design pulls in elements of traditional Islamic architecture. Inspired by the Hymenocallis flower, the building spirals upwards in a geometric and nature inspired pattern. With 27 terraces and a floor plan designed to maximize views and natural light, the building probably feels like it’s reaching into the sky. Apparently the view from above or from the foot of the tower looks like an onion dome, also a typical element in Islamic architecture.
For all its fanfare and good looks, it’s actually not doing too well. Started in 2004, the building was finally opened in January 2010- right in the middle of the global financial crisis. I hope that means the Penthouse is still available.
IF YOU GO: For some, the hustle and bustle of the city is superb and the reason to visit Dubai. From extravagant shopping malls to high end boutiques, Dubai is a shopper’s paradise. Find cheap holidays to Dubai to have more money to spend once you’re there!
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Photo Credit: Courtesy of Flickr user neekoh.fi via a creative commons license.
One day I’ll visit this infamous place!
Yea yea it’s a link on your newest post, but how fortunate that you wrote about the Burj. I have a thing or two to say about it. I’m from Chicago, and have worked in the Sears Tower (that is, the Willis Tower, which is a horrible new name, cause now everyone calls it the ‘Big Willy’). So, my bias is that I miss calling my tower the tallest in the world. It lost its title to a joke–the Petronas Towers… which aren’t taller, they’re shorter. But the Burj is truly a new thing. I get to say that the head architect has his firm in Chicago, though. It’s just that Chicagans are losing their interest in uber tall towers. But skyscrapers began there. Chicago has a history that is visible in its buildings, from the Sullivan tower to the Hancock and Aon. Dubai is newly tall, and their towers are based solely on a money boom, not on the true history of architecture. But it is a pretty cool building.
ps you guys do link exchange?