NEWS

The observation deck of the Burj Khalifa has reopened after a six week hiatus – though officials remain tight-lipped about the exact nature of the fault that closed the attraction.

Nevertheless, the folk at Emaar Properties in Dubai are doing their best to improve the Burj Khalifa's energy diet. Today, they announced that the building's hot-water system had gone solar.

The Burj Khalifa observation deck could soon drop to the position of world's fourth highest, according to statistics received by Construction Week from Chicago-based world skyscraper authority, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Emaar contends that it offers “the world's highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace”.

Engorged with Abu Dhabi's substantial oil surpluses, ADIA's assets are estimated at between $300 billion and $800 billion. It was Abu Dhabi's wealth that helped bail out sister city-state Dubai when it ran short of funds to complete the world's tallest building — which was then renamed the Burj Khalifa after the President of the U.A.E.

It costs twice as much to get into the Burj Khalifa’s observation deck, despite it being only the second highest in the world, as it does to enter the world’s highest viewing deck in the Shanghai World Financial Centre in China. Online tickets for 'At The Top' on the Burj Khalifa cost a minimum of US $27.2 (AED100) and go up to $109 for fast track viewings, while tickets to the top-most observatory deck in the world cost a mere $14.6 (CNY100).

The Armani Hotel Dubai will no doubt be the most popular hotel in the UAE and the Middle East. The hotel is located at Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest tower and the most remarkable landmark of the 21st century. Being Emaar's flagship project, it is the bonfire to tourists and one of the most prestigious square kilometers of the world.

Dubai , which attracted the world's attention recently with the inauguration of Burj Khalifa; the world's tallest skyscraper, has always been a prime destination for foreign investment. The Dubai government has been consistent in reviewing and aligning regulatory framework to cater to new challenges in maintaining its leading position as a major commercial, industrial and trading hub in the region.

As Van der Werf notes: “It’s beautiful to do the Armani Hotel in the Burj Khalifa, which took a lot of effort, but we should never forget that we can serve our four-star hotels at least as well and as efficiently”.

Carrara has recently executed the supply and installation of about 120,000 sq m of natural stone for the Burj Khalifa project and its work portfolio includes projects such as Burj Al Arab, Royal Mirage Hotel, Yas Island Marina Hotel, Aldar headquarters, Turkmenistan Parliament Building, Presidential Palace and President Hotel.

The first of two fashion-brand hotels to open this year in Dubai (there's also a Palazzo Versace in the pipeline), the Armani Hotel will take up floors five to eight and two higher levels of the Burj Khalifa. Don't expect anything here to be done on a subtle scale – 160 rooms and suites (all furnished with signature Armani/ Casa designs), Armani/Dolci artisan confectionery, Armani/Fiori bespoke flower arrangements, an Armani/Privé nightclub and a spa will all be part of the operation when it opens next month.