Burj Dubai opens with name change

The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, has been officially opened and renamed Burj Khalifa after the ruler of the UAE.

Prior to the opening, the height of the tower had been kept secret, but has now been confirmed as 828 m. The record breaking 160 storey high rise features more than 500000 m² of floor space with 49 floors of offices and 1044 apartments, as well as the world's highest occupied floor, the tallest service lift and the world's highest observation deck on the 124^th floor.

The world's highest mosque is situated on the 158^th floor and there's a swimming pool on the 76^th floor. The tower will also be home to a 160 room Armani-branded hotel.

Although not fully complete inside, the Burj Khalifa was opened by Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum on January 4 with the unveiling of a plaque inside the tower bearing its new name.

"This is the tallest building ever created by the hand of man," said Sheikh Maktoum "This great project deserves to carry the name of a great man. Today I inaugurate Burj Khalifa in recognition of Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan."

"I salute the designers and professionals who helped build the Burk Khalifa," said Mahamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of Emaar, the developer behind the project. "We have been hit with lightening twice, there was a big earthquake last year and we have had all types of wind hit us during construction. Through it all, the results have been good."

Construction of the tower began in 2004, and the original schedule was for it to be opened at the end of 2008. However, labour disputes, issues with suppliers and problems with internal finishes saw the deadline pushed back into 2009. Plans had been made to open the tower on September 9 last year to coincide with the inaguration of the new Dubai Metro, however these were dropped in July.