Khaleej Times reported that on January 4th 2010, Dubai will have a new global icon. Burj Dubai.

Mr Mohamed Alabbar chairman of Emmar said that the opening date has been chosen to mark the Accession Day of His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai

The opening of Burj Dubai to mark Shaikh Mohammed’s accession anniversary is, in fact, a fitting tribute to the leader. Emaar has always maintained that Burj Dubai was inspired by Shaikh Mohammed.

Work on the world’s tallest building had started in January 2004. Six years later, having used a record-breaking 330,000 cubic meters of concrete, 39,000 metric tonnes of steel rebar, 142,000 square meters of glass and 22 million man hours, the tower will be officially opening its doors.

The tower offers some mind-boggling statistics: It will have 57 elevators and eight escalators. The main service elevator rises 504 meters, serving 138 floors.

You may like to read WEEK 47 featured article at www.steeguru.com “10 tallest structures in world - Burj Dubai surpasses all”

http://steelguru.com/article/details?year=2009&month=11&day=16&articleid=NjQ=&title=10_Tallest_structures_in_world