Burj Khalifa

Burj Khalifa (Khalifa Tower) formerly known as Burj Dubai, the tallest building in the world, is set to open its doors today for the first time. The grand opening will be led by Sheik Mohammed, the ruler of Dubai, under heavy security.

Burj Khalifa was designed by an American Architect named Adrian Smith who has also designed Trump International Hotel and Tower. The building was developed by Emaar Properties who started construction of Burj Khalifa on September 21, 2004.

The Burj Khalifa stands gorgeously in all its glory at over 160 stories high and at a magnificent height of 2,717 feet. The exact height was a heavily guarded secret until the grand opening on monday when the height was revealed for the first time on huge screens. It houses offices, residences and a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani which is expected to be opened in March this year.

After all the talk about Dubai's debt crisis for the past few weeks, this is a wonderful way to start 2010, showing the unique vision of Dubai's leader and the creativity that exists here. Burj Khalifa exudes elegant architecture and shows the hard work put into creating it by the vision of an achitect, to the sweat of all the labourers who toiled daily to create this phenomenal piece of architecture that will forever be a part of history.

Witness the spectacular fireworks display at the Burj Khalifa's grand opening.