The Burj Khalifa, formerly the Burj Dubai is now open. Soaring into the skies at 2,717 feet or 828 meters, the newly named Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. The name was changed at the last minute in honor of the president of Abu Dhabi, Sheik Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for their 10 billion dollar bailout of the near-bankrupt Dubai. The internal space occupies 6 million square feet with 54 elevators that are capable of 40mph each. At the top you can see out as far as 60 miles in any given direction. The closest building in height is Tapei 101 at 1670 feet, more than 1000 less than the new record.
[NYTimes]
