NEWS

For the less adventurous members of society, a trip up the Burj Khalifa would take around two minutes in the comfort of a high-speed lift. Not for Spider-man, however. Having already scaled landmark skyscrapers in Chicago and Paris without support cables, safety harnesses or nets, France’s nimble-footed “urban free solo climber” Alain Robert is now campaigning to conquer the 828-metre-high tower.

In the official Burj Khalifa gift shop, one customer mischievously asked for a discount on a pair of Burj Dubai baseball caps. The Filipina lady behind the counter played along and argued that they should be charging extra since anything with Burj Dubai on it is now a rare collector’s item

Bristol-based Cameron Balloons has created the balloon used at the opening night of the Burj Khalifa (The Caliph's Tower) in Dubai, the world's tallest building at 828m. The balloon was printed on the company's newly installed 3.5m-wide Durst Rho 351, which has doubled the width of the company's previous printing capabilities.

The Saif Belhasa Group has pared back its retail expansion plans and postponed its initial public offering (IPO) due to economic uncertainty, said its chairman. The group expanded into food retail in part to cash in on the Dubai Mall, one of the largest shopping centres in the world, at the foot of the Burj Khalifa,Mr Belhasa said.

Internationally renowned fireworks specialist Groupe F will expand its operations in the Middle East this year, following its high-profile involvement in the Burj Khalifa launch in Dubai earlier this month.

When hotels across Dubai were dropping rack rates all through the year to shore up occupancy levels, two of the hotels within Downtown Burj Khalifa more than held their own. And we can put it down to the location, not to mention the helping hand lent by proximity to the world's tallest tower.

Giorgio Armani's first hotel is set to open on March 18 in the new Burj Dubai tower, but visitors to the exclusive desert state getaway will need a head for heights to enjoyed the Armani-designed interior - since the tower is the world's new tallest building. The height of the building is still to be officially confirmed but it is thought it measures over 800 metres - more than half a mile - and will have more than 160 floors.

Even though lease rate for units in the world's tallest tower, Burj Khalifa, are not yet established, analysts believe the expected rental rates for commercial spaces in the tower will handsomely beat the ongoing rates in other established high-rise buildings of the world, such as the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur and the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower) in Chicago, United States.

Eight food and beverage outlets, with indoor and al fresco facilities. Spectacular views of Burj Dubai. Themed restaurants, specially trained associates and exceptional ambience A celebration of the finest flavours in cuisine awaits visitors at the eight food and beverage outlets operating within The Address, Downtown Burj Dubai, the latest addition to the five-star hotel offerings in Dubai. Located at the heart of Downtown Burj Dubai, The Address,Downtown Burj Dubai is the flagship hotel by Emaar Hospitality Group, the hospitality and leisure subsidiary of Emaar Properties.

The observation deck on the 124th floor of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa, has now become another must-do on the itineraries of most tourists visiting Dubai, and its residents. According to our poll, 31 percent of the respondents say that they are thrilled about visiting the tower’s observation deck. Another 42 percent claim that they would not attempt the experience anytime soon because of the massive crowds.