By By Janice Ponce de Leon, Staff Reporter www.gulfnews.com
Dubai: Dubai boasts of a number of the world’s biggest and tallest structures, not to mention having at least five Guinness world record entries within one square kilometre in Downtown Dubai.
The Guinness World Records presented a plaque yesterday recognising ‘At.mosphere’ as the world’s ‘Highest Restaurant from Ground Level”.
The recognition is the fifth addition to Emaar Properties’ impressive gallery of Guinness World Records, namely, the Burj Khalifa for Tallest Building and Tallest Man-Made Structure Ever; The Dubai Mall for The Largest Shopping Destination; and the Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo for the Single Largest Acrylic Viewing Panel. All structures are coincidentally located at the 200-hectare mega-development described as the ‘Centre of Now’.
Nestled 442 metres above the ground, At.mosphere is situated on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, just two levels below the world’s highest observatory deck.
‘Perfect occasion’
“This is the perfect occasion to give this world record from inside the tallest building, the tallest man-made structure ever. Over the window we can see the largest shopping centre, the largest musical fountain; I’m surrounded by world records,” Talal Omar, adjudication manager of Guinness World Records, said at a press conference.
Omar said that besides giving importance to structures, the same recognition should be accorded to the people behind it. “But I’m really honoured to meet the record-holders — ordinary people with extraordinary achievements, people who set benchmarks for other people to aspire for. We’d like to confirm that we have received all the evidence from At.mosphere to verify the record for the highest restaurant from ground floor,” Omar said.
The highest restaurant in the world based on geographic location of the record is at the Chacaltaya ski resort in Bolivia, at 5,340 metres.
“The records are a true demonstration of Dubai’s ability to innovate and add to our city’s civic pride. For us, the goal is not simply to set records,” Essam Galadari, CEO, Emaar UAE.
‘Beyond the obvious’
“Through our accomplishments, we look to inspire the world and encourage people to think beyond the obvious and push their boundaries. We are honoured to receive our fifth Guinness World Records for At.mosphere today.” Galadari said.
With a seating capacity of 210 people, At.mosphere’s guests can enjoy a choice of dining at the grill or mingling at the lounge.
In 2004, the world watched as Dubai constructed its tallest tower utilising 22 million man hours.
Guinness World Records has aimed to solve arguments about records of facts around the world since 1955.
Tallest and biggest
- Burj Khalifa: Tallest Building; Tallest Man-Made Structure Ever (828 metres).
- The Dubai Mall: The Largest Shopping Destination (5.9 million square feet floor area).
- Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo: Single Largest Acrylic Viewing Panel (32.88 by 8.3 metres).
- At.mosphere: Highest Restaurant From Ground Level (442 metres).
