The National

With branches in 7 cities — including Mexico City, Tokyo, Jakarta, Lisbon and Koshien — KidZania’s latest outlet, which opened in the Dubai Mall on January 10, is the first in the Middle East, and helps children acquire financial skills in an interactive world. Walking down its make-believe streets, Will Edwards, the governor of KidZania Dubai, marvels at the excitement of this land’s “new citizens”.

Crowds of tourists visiting the Burj Khalifa have boosted retail sales near the world’s tallest tower by as much as 30 per cent. Since the 828-metre-tall building opened its observation deck to visitors on January 4, the bustling activity has trickled down to the tills in neighbouring Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar, retailers say.

Workers have installed the first road signs bearing the new name of the world’s tallest tower, Burj Khalifa. Two signs, one on Sheikh Zayed Road and the other between Al Wasl Road and the Defence Interchange, were installed overnight on Saturday, apparently the first to point the way to Burj Khalifa after its name was changed from Burj Dubai at its January 4 inauguration.

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.

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.

One man’s attempt to link the Burj Khalifa’s height with a pioneer of German Romanticism.

The Burj Khalifa has a towering fascination with the number 8. Not only does it rise 828 metres high, but it was also officially inaugurated at 8pm on Jan 4, 2010. When the date is viewed as 01/04/2010, the digits add up to 8. Even the original sales prices ended with 888.

High-flying businessmen will be able to host their board meetings on the uppermost floors of the Burj Khalifa when the commercial space opens this year. Emaar Properties has reserved 10 per cent of the space in the tower for its own use, including three floors at the top that it will rent out for events and meetings, the chairman Mohamed Alabbar said last week.

There can be no doubt that the observation deck of the Burj Khalifa offers an unparalleled view of Dubai. But it comes at a price – and yesterday that price almost doubled.

When the world’s tallest building was officially opened on Monday, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, had an 828-metre surprise up his sleeve.