NEWS

For drinks and snacks in the lounge area, guests must spend USD 54.45 per head. The restaurant, which is reached by its own private elevator from the tower's corporate suites lobby, can accommodate 210 people over a lounge and grill and offers an unparalleled view of the emirate's skyline. Diners keen to get a booking at the world's highest restaurant may need to save up after the Burj Khalifa eatery revealed patrons will be charged a minimum of USD 122 a head.

Emaar Hospitality Group LLC plans to manage five new hotels under its brand “The Address” in the coming four years, doubling the hotels it operates, Chief Executive Officer Marc Dardenne said. The company, which operates Armani’s first property in the world’s tallest tower, will open hotels in the south of France and Marrakesh, Morocco in 2013. It’s also planning hotel-openings in Bali, Budapest and Istanbul the following year. Emaar Hospitality is also looking at opportunities in China, he said.

Emirate raises the bar with 442-metre-high lounge and grill called At.mosphere; outlet to serve dinner, lunch and tea. The luxury lifestyle hits a new high in Dubai with the opening this week of At.mosphere, a chi-chi fine-dining venue that is the world’s highest restaurant in a building. At.mosphere, situated 442 metres above ground on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, opens to dinner guests today, but anyone looking for a table this week will be put on a wait list, insiders said.

Emaar Malls Group has unveiled a colourful calendar of events and festive discounts for the 16th edition of DSF. In line with DSF's theme of "One World, One Family, One Festival," the mall will also host roaming entertainment, themed shows and colourful activities including special promotions by leading retailers. Dubai Marina Mall; Souk Al Bahar and the Gold and Diamond Park with 90 retail outlets dedicated to the gold and jewellery trade will also showcase a choice of entertainment events for visitors.

For diners at the world's highest restaurant, due to open today in the Burj Khalifa, the bill will be as stratospheric as the setting. Patrons will be expected to spend a minimum of Dh450 (US$122.52) a head for dinner at At.mosphere Grill & Lounge on the 122nd floor of the Burj Khalifa, according to the reservations hotline. Lunch featuring an "eclectic European cuisine" will cost at least Dh300, while those who want to sit in the lounge for drinks or snacks will need to spend a minimum of Dh200 per person.

If 2010 was a tough 12 months for Arabtec shareholders, then 2011 has begun on a disconcertingly familiar note. On January 11 the Dubai-based construction giant - which worked on the world's tallest tower, the Burj Khalifa - announced that it was planning a rights issue as well as a $150m, five-year convertible bond. The news saw Arabtec stock drop almost 7% in the two days after the announcement, on fears of earnings-per-share and stock dilution.

Dubai hosts – despite all those financial troubles in the recent past – the highest building on earth. The 828 meters tall Burj Khalifa is a symbol for sustained activities in the Middle East hotel investment and real estate sector. The region also accommodates one of the most exclusive hotels in the world – the Armani Hotel with its 160 luxurious suites.

At.mosphere is situated on the 122nd floor of Burj Khalifa at a height of just over 442 metres. That the high life is lived in Dubai is now a literal truth. Residents of and visitors to Dubai will have another reason to visit the world’s tallest building as of this week, when the world’s highest restaurant in a manmade development opens at the Burj Khalifa.

Coming to the opening, the major attraction of the day was the scintillating pyrotechnics display at UAE’s iconic Burj Khalifa. Lending a burst of colour to the official opening ceremony, the fireworks lit up the Dubai sky in a most spectacular fashion to continued applause from the hundreds of spectators around. Similar firework displays, to enthrall visitors are planned for the duration of the festival.

The Burj Khalifa show was divided into four acts symbolizing the festive and vibrant atmosphere of DSF and of Dubai itself. The event’s unique water screen projection displayed images of the past and new Dubai in a back drop of light that matched the music beat and the rhythm of performers. Thousands of families thronged to this area to witness the performances. The water fountain came alive with lively music melodies at the event and a spectacular firework display lit the Burj Khalifa sky.