Showing posts with label Burj Khalifa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Burj Khalifa. Show all posts

Saturday, January 1, 2011

World’s highest fireworks at Burj Khalifa welcome New Year



World’s highest fireworks at Burj Khalifa welcome New Year

• A spectacular showcase of laser, lights and fireworks positions Burj Khalifa New Year Gala among world’s iconic New Year’s Eve celebrations


Dubai, UAE; January 1, 2011: Dubai welcomed the New Year with an unprecedented spectacle – the world’s highest fireworks at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building by Emaar Properties.

The 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high Burj Khalifa was the centre of attention for a global audience as it marked New Year’s Eve with a spectacular laser-lights-fireworks show, telecast live to over 2 billion people around the world.

Close to half a million Dubai residents and visitors witnessed the New Year’s Eve Gala from Burj Park, an island set on The Burj Lake opposite Burj Khalifa, and from several other vantage points across Downtown Dubai.

The celebration, which also marked the first anniversary of the grand inauguration of Burj Khalifa, enveloped the whole of Downtown Dubai, the 500-acre mega development, which is anchored by the tower. The community was a sea of humanity, as people arrived to witness the spectacle several hours in advance.

Described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ for its diverse showcase of high-end lifestyle destinations including malls, hotels, homes and offices, Downtown Dubai created a stunning spectacle with lights and fog effects.

To mark the New Year’s Eve Gala, The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain overlooking Burj Khalifa, also hosted a special fire-water-music show, where fire elements and water sprouts were seamlessly integrated for the first time in the region.

Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “The New Year’s Eve Gala at Burj Khalifa has positioned Dubai as the must-visit destination to celebrate new beginnings. The show easily qualified as of the finest spectacles anywhere in the world, and we are confident that in the coming years, Dubai will be the place that visitors from across the world will choose to celebrate the New Year.”

In addition to the fireworks spectacle, set to the melody of a specially composed music, there were display screens across Downtown Dubai for visitors to enjoy live telecasts of New Year’s Eve celebrations from different parts of the world.

Visitors were also entertained with the after-party held at At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest observation deck with an outdoor terrace – most recently voted as ‘Best Tourist Attraction at the Best in Dubai’ event. Guests attending the At the Top party had the privilege of celebrating the first day of the New Year taking in magnificent views of the city at night.

A fully-established community with world-class homes, commercial space and the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa is now ‘A Living Wonder.’ It anchors Downtown Dubai, the most definitive lifestyle development in the city, which also features two malls - The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and Souk Al Bahar.

The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping center with 1,200 retail stores including 160 F&B outlets, and features Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo; the Middle East’s first and only SEGA Republic; a dedicated children’s edutainment centre KidZania®; an Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink and Dubai’s largest megaplex, Reel Cinemas.

In addition to homes and offices, Downtown Dubai features six world-class hotels – Armani Hotel Dubai; The Address Downtown Dubai; The Address Dubai Mall; The Palace - The Old Town; and Al Manzil and Qamardeen at The Old Town. Emaar Boulevard, a 3.5 km boulevard, is another attraction at Downtown Dubai and hosts several lifestyle activities.

Photo Caption:
The world’s highest fireworks held at Burj Khalifa, Dubai by Emaar Properties to mark the New Year.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

This New Year, Celebrate In Style At Level 124 Of Burj Khalifa




This New Year, Celebrate In Style At Level 124 Of Burj Khalifa

• At the Top, Burj Khalifa to host New Year’s Eve after-party
• Only 350 exclusive tickets available for the party
• Celebrations follow spectacular fireworks to ring in the New Year
• Arabic fusion band adds to the buzz of the event at the world’s tallest observation deck with an outdoor terrace


Dubai, UAE; December 28, 2010: When the spectacular firework display to ring in the New Year is over at Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, head straight for Dubai’s one of its kind New Year’s Eve after party at the most unique destination – At the Top, Burj Khalifa.

The world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace is opening doors to an inimitable party experience – ‘Celebrate in Style’ - where guests can enjoy the first day of 2011 taking in unparalleled views of the city glittering in the sweeping spectacle of a million lights.

At the Top, Burj Khalifa’s New Year’s Eve after-party will be marked by a celebration of music, with an Arabic fusion band regaling the guests. Food and non-alcoholic beverages from The Address Dubai Mall will be served over the two-hour party from 1 am to 3 am. The ‘Celebrate in Style’ party will host up to 350 guests with the entry priced at AED550. The tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Counter, located in the Dubai Mall.

Mr Issam Galadari, Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Properties – Dubai Operations, said: “Celebrate in Style is a perfect complement to the spectacular fireworks that will mark the beginning of the New Year at Burj Khalifa. For the first time, we are opening doors to guests for the unique opportunity of viewing the panoramic vista of the city on the first day of 2011. A get-together At the Top, Burj Khalifa will be a perfect occasion for friends and family to get together and celebrate the joy of new beginnings.”

Guests to the party also stand the chance to win an array of prizes through raffle draws. The prizes include a stay at Qamardeen Hotel for two people inclusive of breakfast and dinner at Esca restaurant; two dinner prizes for two people at Asado, the Argentinean grill at The Palace – The Old Town; two ‘One Desert Journey Spa Treatments’ at The Spa of The Palace – The Old Town; and six VIP ‘Immediate Entry’ passes to tour At the Top, Burj Khalifa, again.

While Burj Khalifa was honoured with the ‘Global Icon’ status by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) recently, an honour bestowed for tall structures only once in 10 to 15 years, At the Top, Burj Khalifa was most recently voted as the ‘Best Tourist Attraction’ at the ‘Best in Dubai’ awards.

The entrance to the At the Top experience is at The Dubai Mall’s Lower Ground level. The ascent to the 124th floor is by a double-deck elevator, each deck carrying up to 14 people and travelling at an amazing 10 metres per second.

A fully-established lifestyle community with world-class homes, office space and the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa, 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high is at the heart of Downtown Dubai, the 500-acre mega development by Emaar Properties, described as ‘The Centre of Now.’ The most definitive lifestyle development in the city, Downtown Dubai features two malls – The Dubai Mall and Souk Al Bahar.

In addition to homes and offices, Downtown Dubai also features six world-class hotels – Armani Hotel Dubai; The Address Downtown Dubai; The Address Dubai Mall; The Palace - The Old Town; and Al Manzil and Qamardeen at The Old Town. Emaar Boulevard, a 3.5 km boulevard, hosts several lifestyle activities.

About Burj Khalifa:
A mixed-use tower featuring the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences, alongside corporate suites, residences, retail and leisure facilities, Burj Khalifa is at the centre of Downtown Dubai, a 500-acre mega-development by Emaar Properties. Among an array of lifestyle amenities, the tower has a public observation deck - At the Top - on level 124.
Described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ Downtown Dubai encompasses The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations; several hotels; offices and homes. A stellar attraction within the community is The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.
At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high, Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota, USA. The tower is taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj Khalifa also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft) has been the world’s tallest free-standing structure on land since 1976.
Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), Burj Khalifa is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. New York-based Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager. The tower employs the latest in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods.

Monday, December 27, 2010

Set your date with Dubai for the Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Gala



Set your date with Dubai for the Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Gala

• Glittering fireworks, laser displays and fountain feats ring in the New Year
• An unprecedented spectacle to be unveiled at Downtown Dubai, the ‘Centre of Now’
• The world’s tallest fireworks display set in a surreal ambience
• Free entry for the public at Burj Park, overlooking Burj Khalifa


Dubai, UAE; December 27, 2010: This New Year’s Eve, the place to be in is Dubai, as the city’s ‘Global Icon,’ Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building by Emaar Properties – rings in 2011 with an unprecedented spectacular that will elevate the city to the league of the world’s most sought-after destinations for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

In the proud tradition of the gala celebrations marked around iconic structures such as the Sydney Opera House, Paris Eiffel Tower and at New York Times Square, Dubai is welcoming the world with the Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve Gala.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “The Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve gala is our tribute to the celebratory spirit of Dubai, home to over 200 nationalities, and a truly global city. The celebrations will put the international spotlight on the city, and drive the destination as the must-visit place for New Year’s Eve celebrations.”

Also marking the first anniversary of Burj Khalifa, which soars high at 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), the New Year’s Eve Gala has a mystique theme that encompasses the entire Downtown Dubai community, the 500-acre mega development by Emaar, described as ‘The Centre of Now.’

At the heart of the flourishing lifestyle community is Burj Khalifa, which will usher in the New Year with a colourful countdown followed by a laser-fireworks-lights spectacle. Flagging off the celebrations is a fire-water performance of The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain overlooking Burj Khalifa.

The Dubai Fountain will sway to the rhythm of world music, with fire flames and water jets in harmonious flutter, creating a spellbinding effect on viewers. As the countdown for the New Year begins, the Downtown Dubai community will be enveloped with lights and lasers effects.

Large television panels will display the countdown, and the New Year will be ushered in with a dazzling fireworks-laser-lights display atop Burj Khalifa – marking it as the world’s highest fireworks celebration for the New Year.

Music, specially composed for the event, will add to the surreal ambience, offering spectators a never-before-experienced New Year’s Eve gala. The celebration will continue for another hour with The Dubai Fountain performing continuously to a range of world and Arabic music.

Party lovers can continue the celebration by heading to At the Top, Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest observation deck with an outdoor terrace, where they can enjoy panoramic night views of the city and beyond.

The Burj Khalifa New Year’s Eve gala is open for the public, who can enjoy the celebrations from Burj Park, an island overlooking Burj Khalifa, and set on the Burj Lake. They can also view the sparkling extravaganza from the Waterfront Promenade lining the adjacent Dubai Mall.

The celebrations for New Year’s Eve will start way ahead with the television screens, erected in strategic locations, also relaying the New Year’s Eve celebrations from around the world.

While Burj Khalifa was honoured with the ‘Global Icon’ status by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) recently, an honour bestowed for tall structures only once in 10 to 15 years, At the Top, Burj Khalifa was most recently voted as the ‘Best Tourist Attraction’ at the ‘Best in Dubai’ awards.

A fully-established community with world-class homes, commercial space and the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai, Burj Khalifa is now ‘A Living Wonder.’ It anchors Downtown Dubai, the most definitive lifestyle development in the city, which also features two malls - The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination, and Souk Al Bahar.

The Dubai Mall is the world’s largest shopping center with 1,200 retail stores including 160 F&B outlets, and features Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo; the Middle East’s first and only SEGA Republic; a dedicated children’s edutainment centre KidZania®; an Olympic-sized Dubai Ice Rink and Dubai’s largest megaplex, Reel Cinemas.

In addition to homes and offices, Downtown Dubai features six world-class hotels – Armani Hotel Dubai; The Address Downtown Dubai; The Address Dubai Mall; The Palace - The Old Town; and Al Manzil and Qamardeen at The Old Town. Emaar Boulevard, a 3.5 km boulevard, is another attraction at Downtown Dubai and hosts several lifestyle activities.

About Burj Khalifa:
A mixed-use tower featuring the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences, alongside corporate suites, residences, retail and leisure facilities, Burj Khalifa is at the centre of Downtown Dubai, a 500-acre mega-development by Emaar Properties. Among an array of lifestyle amenities, the tower has a public observation deck - At the Top - on level 124.
Described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ Downtown Dubai encompasses The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations; several hotels; offices and homes. A stellar attraction within the community is The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.
At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high, Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota, USA. The tower is taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj Khalifa also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft) has been the world’s tallest free-standing structure on land since 1976.
Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), Burj Khalifa is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. New York-based Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager. The tower employs the latest in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods.

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

DTCM to hold series of events at Burj Khalifa observation deck to mark country’s 39th National Day






DTCM to hold series of events at Burj Khalifa observation deck to mark country’s 39th National Day

November 30, 2010

Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has chosen to launch its activities to mark the UAE’s 39th National Day from the Top observation deck of Burj Khalifa. DTCM’s commemorative activities will be held on December 1 and 2, 2010.
“For the third year in a row DTCM is organising events to mark the country’s National Day, in line with the directives of Dubai Government that all government departments should coordinate to organise National Day celebrations. DTCM in particular has been focused on preparing an innovative and exciting events program each year for UAE nationals, residents and visitors,” said Nasser Juma, Head of Organising Committee for National Day Events and Activities.

“From the moment we started preparing the agenda for this year’s National Day festivities, we had plans of having events on top of Burj Khalifa. Accordingly we contacted the management of the tower and they readily welcomed the idea and agreed to extend their total support to DTCM to make this event a reality and offer something new and exciting to the public,” he added.

Nasser Juma also pointed out that the commemorative program covers a wide variety of activities that will also involve active participation from the public. This year’s event agenda includes a presentation about UAE’s culture and Arab hospitality depicted through mockup traditional houses, and also traditional furniture, clothes and jewellery. There will also be a dedicated calligraphy corner.

“Other events include a number of activities in Jumeirah Beach Residence (The Walk), where DTCM will be holding National Day celebrations for the second year running. Last year's celebration featured a miniature traditional village in which details of UAE’s history and past lifestyle were depicted. Various competitions and activities were also held on the sidelines which were appreciated by the public,” added Juma.
“This year we decided to repeat The Walk experience but in a different way. We will have the mockup traditional houses displayed along The Walk, in addition to Yola dances and national dance performances. Also, visitors can enjoy henna painting and calligraphy, while there will also be a "Ask about my Cultural Heritage" event where visitors can find out more about the country’s culture and traditions, both in Arabic and English,” he explained.

DTCM’s Aisha Mohammed Bin Tayeb further pointed out that as part of the celebrations DTCM is supporting families under the Dubai Women's Association National day program, held recently in cooperation with Hoor Center for Girls.

“We coordinated with the management of Burj Khalifa to ensure that all our events turn out as planned. All the activities being held at Burj Khalifa will complement the public perception of the tower and will befit its status as the world’s tallest building, which also offers panoramic views of Dubai,” added Bin Tayeb.

Sabiha Majid Al Youha, Committee Member said that at Burj Khalifa the public may enjoy the fastest elevators in the world, use special telescopes, get a bird’s eye view of Sheikh Zayed road from the observation deck, take great photos and buy souvenirs for friends and family.

Ticket prices for entry to the observation deck at Burj Khalifa are AED 100 for adults, AED 75 for children aged 4-12 years, while infants and children below four get free entry. Official opening hours of the tower are 10 am – 10 pm Sunday to Wednesday, and 10 am to 12 am Thursday to Saturday. There is ample parking available for visitors, and there are adequate facilities for people with special needs.

Friday, September 17, 2010

RTA female staff explore sky high views from Burj Khalifa




RTA female staff explore sky high views from Burj Khalifa

Roads & Transport Authority – Nashwan Atta’ee:

The Women Committee, Roads & Transport Authority (RTA) has recently held a unique entertainment tour for as many as 120 RTA female employees and wives of RTA employees, to the top of Burj Khalifa during which they enjoyed a thrilling sky-high view of the Dubai City from the tallest man-made structure in the planet.

Commenting on the visit, Dr. Aysha Al Busmait, Chairwomen of RTA Women Committee, said: “Through its members & ambassadors in various agencies, RTA Women Committee has proved once again its ability to take the initiative and organize distinguished events far from contrasting opinions and controversial issues despite the large number of participants involved in this event; thus succeeded in boosting some core values and concepts campaigned by the RTA. The group travelled from Al Rashidiya Metro Station on board the Dubai Metro and came back to RTA premises on board public transport buses”.

The tour, which will remain live in the memories of all participants, included taking a lunch high in the sky, attending water shows, a tour of the tower and taking memorable photos. The event was also a good communication and orientation platform for RTA female staff and wives of RTA employees who meet for the first time under the umbrella of the Women Committee.

Thursday, July 22, 2010

Emaar Properties records 122 per cent growth in half-year net operating profits to AED 1,656 million (US$ 451 million)



Emaar Properties records 122 per cent growth in half-year net operating profits to AED 1,656 million (US$ 451 million)

• Half-year 2010 revenue increases 59 per cent to AED 5.538 billion (US$ 1.508 billion)
• Second-quarter net operating profit is AED 896 million (US$ 244 million) and revenue is AED 2,652 million (US$ 722 million)
• Highlight of the quarter is opening of Armani Hotel Dubai, setting new standards in global hospitality



Dubai, UAE; July 22, 2010: Marking significant gains in the company’s comparative financial performance over year 2009, Emaar Properties PJSC recorded half-year 2010 net operating profits of AED 1,656 million (US$ 451 million).

This corresponds to a 122 per cent growth over the half-year 2009 results, underscoring the effectiveness of Emaar’s strategy to focus on its core competency of value creation by building premium real estate master-developments in key geographic markets.

The revenue for the first six months of the year was AED 5.538 billion (US$ 1.508 billion), recording a growth of 59 per cent over half-year 2009 revenue of AED 3.481 billion (US$ 948 million).

Net operating profit for the second quarter ended 30 June, 2010 was AED 896 million (US$ 244 million), 18 per cent higher than the first-quarter 2010 net operating profit of AED 760 million (US$ 207 million). The net profit subsequent to considering the non business charges for the quarter is AED 802 million (US$ 218 million), a 6 per cent increase over the first quarter of the year.

Revenue for the second quarter recorded a growth of 37 per cent over second quarter 2009 revenue of AED 1.940 billion (US$ 528 million).

The highlight of second quarter 2010 was the opening of the world’s first Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building. In addition, the handover of units in Burj Khalifa started during the quarter with approximately 24 per cent handed over until June end.

In the process of implementing the strategy of concentrating on its core business, Emaar transferred the Hamptons International business in the UK, Europe and Asia to Countrywide at a consideration, which was similar to the purchase value of the business (in Sterling terms) it acquired in 2006. In addition, the Hamptons agency’s business in Middle East and North Africa was retained by Emaar to support its key geographic markets. The company also decided to transfer the management of Emaar Education’s schools in the UAE to Innoventures Educational Investments, a Dubai based premium education provider.

Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said: “Over the past months, Emaar has undertaken a series of strategic initiatives to focus on value creation for our stakeholders. Our emphasis now is on strengthening our core competency of developing premium real estate projects, and building on our assets in promising emerging markets. This concerted approach has resulted in further strengthening our financial fundamentals, despite the challenges of the global financial climate.”

Mr Alabbar said that Emaar’s revenue model has effectively diversified with an increasing share from the rental & hospitality operations over the past year, a trend reflected in the half-year 2010 results.

“This is in line with our growth strategy, outlined in 2007, to further expand our revenue streams through strategic investments in key international markets as well as new business streams including shopping malls & retail and hospitality,” he explained.

Out of the 2009 full year’s revenue of AED 8.413 billion (US$2.290 billion), 25.8 per cent were from leasing and hospitality operations, and 8 per cent from international operations, compared to 90 per cent of the revenue coming only from Dubai property development in 2008.

Emaar has handed over homes in its master-planned communities in Turkey and Pakistan, and the company is currently on schedule with the completion and hand-over of landmark projects in India, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt and Syria over next 12 months. These markets are expected to contribute further to the revenue stream of the company.

Mr Alabbar said: “Our growth outlook is guided by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, who underscored the need for companies to evolve strategies that meet the realities of the new world. We will remain committed to building new revenue resources and realizing the full value of our assets by embracing change and tapping growth opportunities.”

About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer with a significant presence in key markets world-wide. Besides building residential and commercial properties, the company also has proven competencies in shopping malls & retail, hospitality & leisure, healthcare and financial services sectors.

Emaar inaugurated Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building and free-standing structure, and has opened The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination.

In Saudi Arabia, Emaar is developing King Abdullah Economic City, the region's largest private sector-led project in Saudi Arabia, featuring a Sea Port, Central Business District, Industrial Zone, Educational Zone, Residential Communities and Resort District.

Emaar has joined hands with Giorgio Armani to strengthen its presence in hospitality. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.

Thursday, April 29, 2010

MAPEI completes project for distinctive luxury finish of Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa



MAPEI completes project for distinctive luxury finish of Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa

Customised combination of MAPEI products enable rapid completion of some of the highest quality flooring ever installed in the Middle East

April 29, 2010
MAPEI, global leader in the production of adhesives, sealants and chemical products for buildings, has announced that it has recently set a new benchmark in the Middle East with its pioneering contribution to work on the Burj Khalifa, particularly the Armani Hotel, regarded as one of the most stylish and luxurious hotels in the world. MAPEI revealed that it has developed a customised combination of products to ensure optimum quality in the finishes of Armani Hotel, which is located within the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building that was recently unveiled in Dubai.

Laith Haboubi, Business Development Director, IBS-MAPEI, said: "The Armani Hotel was easily the most challenging part of our scope of supply to the Burj Khalifa because MAPEI was making sure not only to supply quality materials , but to ensure that the style and aesthetic requirements of the contractors were achieved. Obviously, because of the highly demanding and delicate nature of the project, some of the work that was done had not been tried in the region before, which is why the project required a lot of specialised expertise. However, we were able to call on our considerable previous overseas experience, in particular of our Technical Assistance head office in Italy."

A lot of MAPEI’s products were specifically selected for the Armani Hotel in different areas, such as using one of Mapei’s high performance cementitious adhesives product for interior floor and wall coverings KERAFLEX, which is applied as an adhesive for all types of ceramic tiles and natural stone material providing a non-vertical slip property with extended open time, allowing a more forgiving application time. While for grouting to complete the full products range, Mapei supplied KERACOLOR FF, which is a high performance cementitious grout for joints up to 6 mm. while for wet areas were waterproofed using, MAPELASTIC, a two component flexible cementitious based system. In order to provide a perfectly smooth substrate with low moisture content below the pre-engineered wooden flooring, Mapei provided ULTRAPLAN and ULTRAPLAN MAXI a range of ultrafast hardening self-levelling cementitious smoothing compounds which can be applied at different thickness [up to 30 mm]

Haboubi added, “Performance and speed are two of Mapei's key attributes in some specialist products, we provided a low moisture content screed below sensitive flooring such as carpets and wood, MAPEI supplied MAPECEM PRONTO, which is a pre-blended screed, ready for subsequent moisture sensitive flooring application within 24 hrs. While an array of MAPEI tile & natural stones adhesives such as GRANIRAPID, KERAFLEX MAXI and KERAPOXY were used to complete the distinctive finishing in various areas on the Armani Hotel and Nightclub. For the hotel's wooden flooring installation, which is one of the highest quality pre-engineered wooden flooring ever installed in the Middle East, MAPEI used ULTRABOND P990 1K, a specially formulated single-component polyurethane adhesive with very low VOC emissions and which complies to stringent GEV Emicode standards as class EC1R and it also contribute to obtain LEED IEQ credit 4.1 (low emitting materials-adhesives and sealants)”.

"It is an important component of our business strategy to be part of prestigious, groundbreaking projects such as the Burj Khalifa and Armani Hotel. Our expertise and technology are perfect for such massive projects, but it is actually the prestige and the opportunity to demonstrate our leadership in this specialist category that are important to us," said Haboubi.

"Our scope of supply to Burj Khalifa and the Armani Hotel required us to meet stringent quality standards and keep up with a very tight project timetables. MAPEI products excel and perform consistently under such high-pressure situations, which is why our system has been a popular choice by both developers and installers of high-profile and prestigious development projects," added Haboubi.

MAPEI has also been involved in some of the most challenging construction projects in the region, including Al Yas Island developments, Atlantis Hotel on Palm Jumeirah, Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Palace Hotel, Burj Al Arab and Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 1, 2 and 3 just to name a few...

About Mapei

Founded in Milan in 1937, Mapei is today the world leader in the production of adhesives and complementary products for the installation of all types of floor and wall coverings. The company is also specialized in other chemical products for building: from water-proofing to special mortars, from admixtures for concrete to products for the restoration of ancient buildings.

Mapei Group’s production may be summarized as follows: previewed sales in 2009 are 1.7 billion euros and the total number of Mapei Group employees is 6100.

The Group now counts 63 subsidiaries with 56 production facilities in operation in the 5 continents in 25 countries.

Mapei’s UAE subsidiary is Innovative Building Solutions LLC (IBS-Mapei). As part of its long-term commitment to the Middle East, the company commenced production in February 2009, at its 40,000 square metre facility at Dubai Investments Park.

Armani Hotel Dubai opens in Burj Khalifa



Armani Hotel Dubai opens in Burj Khalifa


Dubai, UAE; April 29, 2010: Fashion maestro Giorgio Armani and Mr Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties PJSC, cut the ribbon to officially open the world’s first Armani Hotel in Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building on April 27, 2010. Located on floors concourse to 8 and levels 38 & 39 of Burj Khalifa, Armani Hotel Dubai has 160 guest rooms and suites, eight restaurants, exclusive retail outlets and a spa.

Armani Hotel Dubai’s opening will be followed by the launch of Armani Hotel Milano in Italy; Armani Resort in Marrakech, Morocco; and Armani Residences villas in Marassi, Egypt.

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

World’s first Armani Hotel unveiled in Burj Khalifa, Dubai



World’s first Armani Hotel unveiled in Burj Khalifa, Dubai


• An integral part of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, the luxury hotel is located in the new heart of the city
• Introduces the unique Lifestyle Services concept, bringing a bespoke approach to hospitality and service
• Eight signature dining outlets offer a myriad of world cuisines


Dubai, UAE; April 27, 2010: The world has a new icon in luxury hospitality – the Armani Hotel Dubai.

The world’s first Armani Hotel opened today (April 27, 2010) with a ribbon cutting ceremony by fashion maestro Giorgio Armani and Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman of Emaar Properties PJSC.

With its landmark location inside the iconic Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar, the elegant Armani Hotel Dubai is poised to be the most exclusive hospitality destination in the city and a new benchmark for the industry globally.

Occupying floors concourse to 8 and levels 38 & 39 of Burj Khalifa, the hotel features 160 luxurious guest rooms and suites, eight innovative restaurants, exclusive retail outlets and a serene spa. The hotel offers sweeping views of the city complemented with a harmonious and stylish lifestyle environment. Every aspect of the hotel’s design and service offerings has been designed and planned by Giorgio Armani, from the bespoke furnishings to restaurant menus and in-room amenities.

On the opening, Giorgio Armani said: “It has long been my dream to have a hotel in which I myself would like to stay and entertain family and friends, where the Armani aesthetic is combined with Italian-style warmth and hospitality. I am thrilled to open the doors of the Armani Hotel Dubai and invite my guests in to experience my world.”

Mohamed Alabbar said: “Armani Hotel Dubai is a true celebration of superior aesthetics and world-class project development competencies. The hotel will be a referral point for luxury hospitality projects in the future, and brings global attention to Dubai and to Burj Khalifa. This project required extraordinary attention to detail and a commitment to true luxury, perfection and excellence. Our guests will witness and experience the passion and dedication that has gone into its development across every touch point inside the hotel.”

He added: “Downtown Dubai is our flagship project, and is regarded as one the most prestigious square kilometres on earth with incredible choices in entertainment, shopping, commercial and leisure outlets. The jewel at the centre of this neighbourhood is Burj Khalifa, and Armani Hotel Dubai is a sterling value addition to the world’s tallest building.”

Armani Hotel Dubai’s luxurious rooms and suites are an expression of minimalist opulence, with every detail bearing the Armani signature. Practicality and elegance, the cornerstones of Armani’s signature style, combine with precious materials and sophisticated finishes to create a highly personalised space. Dedicating nearly five years to the project, Armani personally oversaw every aspect of the hotel’s design. The result is a property that feels bespoke, from the Eramosa stone floors, zebra wood paneling and fabric covered walls to the scents of the bath and spa accessories. The hotel truly brings to life Giorgio Armani’s dream.

Marking the designer’s first foray into the world of hospitality, the Armani Hotel Dubai brings to life the Stay with Armani philosophy, promising a “home-away from-home” experience. The Armani approach goes beyond visual aesthetics, offering a new level of service under the Lifestyle Services department.

Based on the philosophy that travel is as much an emotional journey as a physical one, the Armani Hotel assigns each hotel guest a personal Lifestyle Manager who will serve as a personal contact and host from the moment they make a reservation to the time they check out and even beyond. From the moment guests begin their journey at the time of booking, the Lifestyle Manager steps in to understand their interests and desires, and ensures that all their needs are attended to in a discreet manner, both within and outside of Armani Hotel Dubai. Armani’s Lifestyle Managers reflect the Stay with Armani promise and take care of the guests’ every need, desire and whim, sharing the Armani passion for comfort, elegance and service.

Before, throughout and even after a stay, hotel guests can ask their Lifestyle Managers for advice and help with everything from business and transportation arrangements, shopping, entertainment and meal recommendations to arranging for childcare.

The carefully chosen multicultural lifestyle management team-members are an extension of the Armani family, helping guests feel at home in the hotel and the city. The result is an extraordinary experience which realises the designer’s dream to create a space that embodies his own personal approach to hospitality and entertaining.

Marc Dardenne, Chief Executive Officer of Emaar Hotels & Resorts, said: “The opening of Armani Hotel Dubai is the culmination of a journey of innovation in hospitality, design aesthetics and style. Being the flagship hotel inside the iconic Burj Khalifa is in itself a historic position. Our vision is to bring together the design elegance of Armani with the graceful aesthetics of this landmark building. The result is a stunning property which offers our guests the opportunity to immerse themselves in the simplicity and comfort of the Armani lifestyle.”

The Armani Hotel features eight restaurants offering a myriad of world cuisines ranging from Japanese and Indian to Mediterranean and, of course, authentic fine-dining Italian. The impressive culinary options reflect the cosmopolitan nature of the city.

The hotel’s vast leisure and entertainment options also include the first in-hotel Armani/SPA in the world. The spa embodies the Armani lifestyle and design philosophies where each unique space provides the context for personalized individual treatments, personal fitness, sequential thermal bathing as well as private and social relaxation.

The hotel also boasts three exclusive retail outlets: Armani/Galleria a haute couture boutique offering fashion accessories previously available by invitation only – and the first and only place in Dubai where the Armani Prive collection is showcased; Armani/Dolci, a luxurious confectionary offering a sweet selection of biscuits, small savouries and more; and Armani/Fiori, a floral boutique offering exquisite fresh flower arrangements and exclusively designed vases by Giorgio Armani that follow the fluid shapes of the flowers themselves.

Complementing the hotel and located on levels 9 to 16 of Burj Khalifa are the Armani Residences, featuring 144 luxurious private residences, which, like the hotel, has been personally designed by Giorgio Armani reflecting his smooth, understated style.

Born of the collaboration between Giorgio Armani S.p.A. and Emaar Properties PJSC, the Armani Hotel Dubai is the first in a collection of hotels, resorts and residences to be unveiled in key international destinations. The second Armani Hotel will launch in Milan next year.

Other properties underway include the first Armani Resort, planned for Marrakech, and the first Armani Residences Villas in Marassi, Egypt. Further Armani hotels, resorts and residences will open in key markets such as New York, Tokyo, Shanghai and London.

Armani Hotels & Resorts was established in 2005 under an agreement between Giorgio Armani S.p.A. and Emaar Properties, with the objective to develop, own and operate an exclusive collection of hotels, resorts and residences in the world’s most important cities and holiday destinations. Armani Hotels & Resorts plans to open at least ten hotels and resorts within the next ten years. The GDS codes for reservations by travel agencies for Armani Hotel Dubai are: Sbare (AI 117453), Apollo/Galileo (AI 89776), Worldspan (AI 73769), Amadeus (AI DXBANI) and Pegasus (AI 73769). For online bookings visit www.armanihotels.com.

Giorgio Armani Group is one of the leading fashion and luxury goods groups in the world today with over 5,000 direct employees and 13 factories. It designs, manufactures, distributes and retails fashion and lifestyle products including apparel, accessories, eyewear, watches, jewellery, home furnishings, fragrances and cosmetics under a range of brand names: Giorgio Armani Privé, Giorgio Armani, Armani Collezioni, Emporio Armani, AJ | Armani Jeans, A/X Armani Exchange, Armani Junior, Armani Teen, Armani Baby and Armani Casa. The exclusive distribution network of the Group comprises 76 Giorgio Armani boutiques, 19 Armani Collezioni shops, 166 Emporio Armani shops, 165 A/X Armani Exchange shops, 17 AJ | Armani Jeans shops, 8 Armani Junior shops, 10 Giorgio Armani Accessori shops, 2 Emporio Armani Accessori shops, 29 Armani Casa shops and 14 Emporio Armani Caffés in 46 countries around the world.

Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer with a significant presence in key markets world-wide. Besides building residential and commercial properties, the company also has proven competencies in shopping malls & retail, hospitality & leisure, healthcare and financial services sectors. Emaar inaugurated Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building and free-standing structure on January 4, 2010, and has opened The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre. In Saudi Arabia, Emaar is developing King Abdullah Economic City, the region's largest private sector-led project, featuring a Sea Port, Central Business District, Industrial Zone, Educational Zone, Residential Communities and Resort District. Emaar has joined with Giorgio Armani to strengthen its presence in hospitality. For more information visit www.emaar.com.

Monday, April 19, 2010

Burj Khalifa – a 'true icon'



Burj Khalifa – a 'true icon'

World's tallest building and Downtown Dubai take top honours at
Cityscape Awards for Real Estate in the Middle East and North Africa


Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world which forms the iconic centerpiece of Downtown Dubai, has been named the winner of the mixed use project award in the prestigious Cityscape Awards for Real Estate in the Middle East and North Africa.

The awards were made during a gala dinner at Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, on Sunday 18 April 2010 attended by senior executives and personalities from the international real estate industry. The awards are held in conjunction with Cityscape Abu Dhabi which runs until 21 April 2010 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre and provide a valuable insight into current and future projects in the region.

Burj Khalifa is part of the two-square kilometre flagship development by Emaar called Downtown Dubai and, on completion, was named in honour of President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Burj Khalifa, Dubai's new urban masterpiece and the world's tallest man-made structure at 828 metres, is surrounded by hotels, the region's biggest shopping mall, a world of entertainment options, as well as commercial and residential developments that make up Downtown Dubai.

In their comments on Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai, the panel of international and regional judges said: “True to the notion of iconic, this development encompasses everything good in a mixed use development - a pleasant commercial working environment, a range of excellent hospitality venues, world class shopping and a beautiful residential integration.”

Chris Speller, Group Director of Cityscape, added: “Burj Khalifa and Downtown Dubai have given the world of real estate a new point of reference for modern living and are clear and worthy winners of this prestigious award.”

Other awards for unique projects that exemplify the remarkable real estate development made by both the private and public sectors throughout the Middle East and North Africa region went to:

Mixed Use Future - Al Nasseem, Al Ain, by Al Qudra Real Estate, a project to turn Surooj Park into a unique residential and wedding destination including a hotel, sports, and leisure and health complex.

Residential Built - Loft 1, Istanbul, Turkey by Akfen Holding. “Less is more,”said the judges. “The simplicity and clarity of loft-like, generous duplex units with double height areas always convinces.”

Residential Future - Baniyas/South Wathba Revitalisation, Abu Dhabi by Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council. “A most relevant initiative to revitalise, upgrade and grow Arabian neighbourhoods with an authentic and systematic typological strategy,” said the judges.

Commercial, Office, Retail Built - Yas Hotel, Abu Dhabi, by Aldar Properties. “An amazing development, that not only adds to the brand the region is creating but has been finished to extremely high standards and meets the needs of visitors and guests,” the judges said.

Commercial, Office, Retail Future - Yas Island Development, Ferrari World Abu Dhabi by Aldar Properties. The judges' comment: “The uniqueness of this project on an international scale, edges out Al Raha Beach HQ. It will again build to the brand of the region.”

Sustainability - King Abdullah International Gardens, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia by Dr Ibrahim Aldjain. “Education for future generations about the importance of sustainability, as well as the sheer number of people it will attract to learn about this,” said the judges.

Architecture, Best Urban Design and Master Planning - Framework plan for the Eastern Harbour, Alexandria, Egypt by Emaar. “The proposed framework plan provides a well integrated and coordinated approach connecting the key elements through a bold urban gesture,” said the judges.

The Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs were associate sponsor for the Cityscape Awards for Real Estate in the Middle East and North Africa with headline sponsors Boomerang Automated Parking and Self Storage, Gaggenau, Signature Kitchen and Jotun Paints.

Headline sponsor of Cityscape Abu Dhabi 2010 is Mubadala Real Estate and Hospitality. Platinum sponsors are Al Qudra Real Estate, Al Maabar and Aldar Properties. Associate sponsor is the Abu Dhabi Department of Municipal Affairs.

For more details about Cityscape Abu Dhabi and links to other Cityscape events please visit www.cityscapeabudhabi.com

Photo caption: winners of the Cityscape Awards for real estate in the Middle East

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Emaar to observe ‘Earth Hour’ on March 27 ,Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and The Address hotels to switch off lights



Emaar to observe ‘Earth Hour’ on March 27

• Burj Khalifa, The Dubai Mall and The Address hotels to switch off lights
• Emaar’s communities and schools to partner in the global initiative

Dubai, UAE; March 24, 2010: Emaar Properties, the global property developer and provider of premier lifestyle, will observe ‘Earth Hour,’ the global initiative against climate change, by switching off the exterior lights of its landmark developments in Dubai on March 27 from 8.30pm to 9.30pm.

Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building; The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre; and The Address hotels - the flagship hotel brand of Emaar - in Downtown Dubai, Dubai Marina and Emirates Living, will add to the cause of conserving energy by switching off the lights. The performance of The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain, will also resume after Earth Hour.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director – UAE, Emaar Properties, said that the company’s support to Earth Hour highlights its commitment to partner in initiatives that promote environmental awareness and sustainable development.

“As the pioneer of integrated lifestyle projects, Emaar has been at the forefront in creating sustainable communities through a focus on the efficient use of resources. We believe that meaningful change can be brought about through community action, and we are taking the lead by participating in Earth Hour.”

He added: “Emaar is also encouraging all community residents to partner in Earth Hour, and urge them to switch off lights for the hour along with the rest of the world. Our schools will also participate in the initiative. With icons like Burj Khalifa joining in observing Earth Hour, we are confident that the message of sustainable growth initiatives will reach out a large audience across the world.”

Emaar, the recipient of the ISO 14001:2004 certification for environmental best practices, undertakes a series of sustainable development measures across its communities including a recycling initiative. Most developments of Emaar follow the smart home technology for efficient energy use. Several water saving devices have also been introduced in the communities.

Founded by WWF and originating in Australia in 2007, Earth Hour is a global sustainability movement in which over 50 million people from over 35 countries participate. Emaar is encouraging everyone to pledge their support by registering online at www.earthhour.org. Join us in this movement by kindly switching off your lights from 8:30pm to 9:30pm.

Photo Caption
Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, will switch off lights for one hour from 8.30pm to 9.30pm on March 27, 2010 to celebrate Earth Hour along with the other iconic developments of Emaar Properties in Dubai.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

Dubai’s own ‘At the Top’ experience for NASA astronauts




Dubai’s own ‘At the Top’ experience for NASA astronauts

Dubai, UAE: February 27, 2010: When it comes to witnessing the sweeping vistas of the world, Mr Barry E. Wilmore and Dr Robert L. Satcher Jr have seen it all – from space.

In Dubai on a private visit organised by GEMS Education, the two astronauts from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), were treated to another awe-inspiring bird’s-eye view of the city – this time, from the highest point in the city, Burj Khalifa.

On the first-ever visit of a NASA team to the Middle East, the two astronauts toured At the Top, the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, developed by Emaar Properties.

Mr Wilmore and Dr Satcher Jr were accompanied on their tour by the senior management of GEMS Education and Emaar Properties.

They expressed their fascination with the unique panorama that At the Top presented as well as the entire walk-through experience featuring the story and evolution of Dubai and Burj Khalifa.

Monday, February 15, 2010

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson tours At the Top, Burj Khalifa



The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson tours At the Top, Burj Khalifa

Dubai, UAE; February 15, 2010: The Right Honourable Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Lord President of the Council, toured At the Top, Burj Khalifa the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson was accompanied on the tour by Mr Abdulla Lahej, Executive Director, Dubai Project Management, Emaar Properties, the developer of Burj Khalifa.

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson spent nearly 45 minutes At the Top, taking in the impressive views of Dubai from the towering heights. He was also briefed on the making of the tower, and enjoyed the At the Top journey that offered insights on Dubai’s heritage and Burj Khalifa’s towering position among global high-rises.

Mr Lahej said: “The Rt Hon. Lord Mandelson has been at the forefront of promoting global trade ties through multilateral partnerships in addition to being one of the ardent champions in fighting poverty and addressing the various challenges of the developing world.”

He added: “Burj Khalifa is a towering spectacle on what humanity can achieve through global collaboration, and we are privileged to host such a distinguished global leader on the tour of At the Top. His visit to Dubai and Burj Khalifa also has great symbolic value too highlighting the need for powerful partnerships and collaborative ventures in promoting global growth.”

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson was earlier European Union Commissioner for Trade and Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. He served as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Hartlepool.

He was appointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1998, where he was responsible for the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. He is honorary Chair of Policy Network, a European and international think tank.

The entrance to the At the Top experience is at The Dubai Mall’s Lower Ground level. The reception area of the attraction features a large illuminated model of Burj Khalifa that introduces and familiarizes visitors with the various sections within the super-tall building. Multimedia displays ‘Dubai Then and Now’, ‘From Earth to the Sky’ and ‘From Vision to Reality’ narrate the evolution of Dubai and Burj Khalifa.

Photo Caption
(R-L): The Right Honourable Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Lord President of the Council and Mr Abdulla Lahej, Executive Director, Dubai Project Management, Emaar Properties, tour At the Top, Burj Khalifa the world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar.

The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson tours At the Top, Burj Khalifa





<strong>The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson tours At the Top, Burj Khalifa



Dubai, UAE; February 15, 2010: The Right Honourable Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Lord President of the Council, toured At the Top, Burj Khalifa the world’s highest observatory deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building.



The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson was accompanied on the tour by Mr Abdulla Lahej, Executive Director, Dubai Project Management, Emaar Properties, the developer of Burj Khalifa.



The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson spent nearly 45 minutes At the Top, taking in the impressive views of Dubai from the towering heights. He was also briefed on the making of the tower, and enjoyed the At the Top journey that offered insights on Dubai’s heritage and Burj Khalifa’s towering position among global high-rises.



Mr Lahej said: “The Rt Hon. Lord Mandelson has been at the forefront of promoting global trade ties through multilateral partnerships in addition to being one of the ardent champions in fighting poverty and addressing the various challenges of the developing world.”



He added: “Burj Khalifa is a towering spectacle on what humanity can achieve through global collaboration, and we are privileged to host such a distinguished global leader on the tour of At the Top. His visit to Dubai and Burj Khalifa also has great symbolic value too highlighting the need for powerful partnerships and collaborative ventures in promoting global growth.”



The Rt Hon Lord Mandelson was earlier European Union Commissioner for Trade and Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. He served as Member of Parliament for the constituency of Hartlepool.



He was appointed to the Cabinet as Secretary of State for Trade and Industry in 1998, where he was responsible for the introduction of the National Minimum Wage. He is honorary Chair of Policy Network, a European and international think tank.



The entrance to the At the Top experience is at The Dubai Mall’s Lower Ground level. The reception area of the attraction features a large illuminated model of Burj Khalifa that introduces and familiarizes visitors with the various sections within the super-tall building. Multimedia displays ‘Dubai Then and Now’, ‘From Earth to the Sky’ and ‘From Vision to Reality’ narrate the evolution of Dubai and Burj Khalifa.



Photo Caption

(R-L): The Right Honourable Lord Peter Mandelson, UK’s First Secretary of State, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) and Lord President of the Council and Mr Abdulla Lahej, Executive Director, Dubai Project Management, Emaar Properties, tour At the Top, Burj Khalifa the world’s highest observation deck with an outdoor terrace on Level 124 of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar.

Thursday, February 11, 2010

Emaar Properties records 2009 annual net operating profit of AED 2.324 billion (US$ 633 million)



Emaar Properties records 2009 annual net operating profit of AED 2.324 billion (US$ 633 million)

• Annual revenue stands at AED 8.413 billion (US$ 2.290 billion)
• Fourth quarter revenue reaches AED 2.984 billion (US$ 812 million); net operating profit stands at AED 923 million (US$ 251 million)
• Recent company highlights include inauguration of Burj Khalifa
• Creates over 12,500 jobs through mall, hospitality and healthcare subsidiaries
• Opens first medical centre and two new hotels in Dubai


Dubai, UAE; February 11, 2010: Highlighting its global footprint with the recent inauguration of Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Emaar Properties PJSC announced today its financial results for the 12 months ended December 31, 2009. Annual net operating profits for the period reached AED 2.324 billion (US$ 633 million), as compared to the restated net operating profits of AED 4.236 billion (US$ 1.153 billion) in 2008. Annual revenue for 2009 was AED 8.413 billion (US$ 2.290 billion) as compared to the restated revenue of AED 10.717 billion (US$ 2.918 billion) in 2008. The restatement of the 2008 profit and revenue relates to change in accounting method from percentage completion to completed contract method of revenue recognition in accordance with International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS).

Fourth-quarter 2009 net operating profits stood at AED 923 million (US$ 251 million), 41 per cent higher than the third-quarter net operating profit of AED 655 million (US$ 178 million) and 149 per cent higher than the fourth quarter 2008 net operating profit of AED 370 million (US$ 101 million). Revenues for the last three months of 2009 reached AED 2.984 billion (US$ 812 million), 53 per cent higher than third-quarter 2009 revenue of AED 1.948 billion (nearly US$ 530 million) and 94 per cent higher than the fourth quarter 2008 revenue of AED 1.535 billion (US$ 418 million).

Emaar has delivered approximately 3,100 units during 2009 as compared to 4,900 units in 2008. However, the revenues by Malls and Hospitality businesses increased significantly. The company implemented a number of customer oriented policies, which assisted in maintaining its Gross Profit Margins at 2008 levels. These policies also enabled customers to settle their obligations towards properties delivered, which is also positively reflected in the revenues of the Company.

In spite of opening two hotels during the year – The Address Dubai Mall and The Address Dubai Marina, the selling, general and administration expenses in 2009 were maintained at 2008 levels through implementation of appropriate cost control mechanisms.

Although, the profitability levels were maintained for the core businesses of Emaar, the net operating profit decreased due to provisions made by the Company’s associated companies in the Financial Sector, Amlak Finance and Dubai Bank towards their loans and advances portfolio. The Company also recorded lower fee income on property transfers due to discontinuance of such charges and lower net interest income due to utilization of cash resources to complete investment assets (Malls and Hospitality) during the year.

The robust performance for the Company during 2009 - a challenging year internationally - is a result of concerted effort by the Company to optimize resource use. Emaar also worked closely with all stakeholders to make the Company resilient and deliver results.

Emaar’s Hospitality and Mall subsidiaries were significant contributors to the company’s revenue stream, with the year witnessing the opening of two new hotels and the grand inauguration of The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre, which attracted more than 37 million visitors in its first year of operation.

Emaar Healthcare Group, the company’s healthcare subsidiary, opened its first world-class medical centre in Dubai late last year.

Overseas, Emaar projects in India, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, all reached advanced stages of completion and will be ready for handover this year.

Mr. Mohamed Alabbar, Chairman, Emaar Properties, said the company focused on the timely completion of existing projects across global markets through stronger resource optimization. “The crowning achievement in our track record of successful project management and delivery is the inauguration of Burj Khalifa. From delivering the world’s tallest building to the world’s largest shopping centre, and further strengthening our ability to build world-class communities such as Downtown Dubai, we have proved our commitment to delivery,” explained Mr. Alabbar.

Highlighting the success of Emaar’s diversified growth model, the company’s subsidiaries in hospitality & leisure and shopping malls & retail contributed to developing self-contained lifestyle communities in Dubai, which is also being rolled out in international markets.

“During an especially challenging period for economies across the globe, Emaar contributed to the socioeconomic growth and stability of Dubai by creating more than 12,500 new jobs through our subsidiaries. Domestic growth, catalysed by Burj Khalifa, will be the highlight of this year, as Emaar continues to focus on maximising long-term value for our shareholders,” said Mr. Alabbar.

He said that while Dubai will remain an integral part of the Emaar growth story, international markets and new businesses will also make considerable contributions. “The opening of Burj Khalifa has underscored the can-do ability of Dubai and is a testament to its sustained growth potential led by the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.”

This year, Emaar will also focus on middle income housing as a strategic growth area to meet the growing demand for homes in emerging markets. According to recent estimates, demand for residential property in India will be over 7.5 million units by 2013 of which 85 per cent is projected in the mid and affordable housing segment – a trend observed in Egypt, Pakistan and other emerging markets too.

Global firsts
Emaar Properties made global headlines with the inauguration of Burj Khalifa, which at 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), is the world’s tallest building and manmade structure. At 200 storeys, including 160 habitable levels, Burj Khalifa anchors the 500-acre Downtown Dubai mega-development, which also features The Dubai Mall.



The Dubai Mall has 1,200 retail outlets, including a range of flagship stores and global brands represented nowhere else in the Middle East. At the mall’s entertainment precinct, Emaar has introduced the region’s first SEGA Republic, an indoor theme park developed in partnership with SEGA Corporation; and Dubai’s largest megaplex, the 22-screen Reel Cinemas. Emaar has also opened KidZania®, the region’s first-of-its-kind children’s edutainment centre.

In 2009, Emaar also unveiled The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain, which attracts thousands of visitors every day.

Business segmentation
Highlighting Emaar’s successful business segmentation strategy, in 2009 the company opened two new hotels in Dubai under The Address Hotels + Resorts brand. The Address Dubai Mall and The Address Dubai Marina increased the portfolio of Emaar’s own hotel brand to five, including The Address Downtown Dubai, The Palace - The Old Town, and The Address Montgomerie Dubai.

Emaar Hospitality Group made its successful foray internationally in 2009 with management contracts signed in France and Morocco. In Dubai, the hospitality & leisure subsidiary of Emaar also opened the Dubai Marina Yacht Club, revamped the Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club and strengthened Arabian Ranches Golf Club.

The performance of Emaar Hospitality Group was honoured globally with the company clinching the Arabian Business award for Hospitality Company of the Year 2008; World Travel Award’s Dubai’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2009, Middle East’s Leading New Hotel 2009; AHIC’S Best New Hotel 2009 for The Address Downtown Dubai; and Dubai’s leading City Resort for The Palace – The Old Town at the World Travel Awards.

International growth
In India, one of the company’s key growth markets, Emaar MGF Land Limited, the company’s joint venture in that country, has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus with the Securities and Exchange Board of India to enter the capital market with an initial public offering of AED 2.938 billion (INR38,500 million; US$830 million).

Emaar MGF Land Limited is also on course with the completion of the Commonwealth Games Village 2010, a residential complex set in 27.7 acres in Delhi with an estimated saleable area of 1.8 million sq feet.

Emaar has made considerable progress with its master-planned communities in India, Syria, Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Egypt, with several hundred homes to be handed over this year.

With Tuscan Valley Houses in Turkey and Mirador Villas in Canyon Views in Pakistan, Emaar has already handed over its pioneering master-planned communities overseas – a trend that complements the company’s delivery track-record in Dubai.

Underscoring the continued commitment to excellence, Emaar won the ‘Best Developer in the Middle East and North Africa’ honour at the 2009 Euromoney Real Estate Awards. Emaar also won top laurels as ‘Best Developer in the UAE’ and ‘Best Developer in Saudi Arabia.’

About Emaar Properties PJSC:
Emaar Properties PJSC, listed on the Dubai Financial Market, is a global property developer with a significant presence in key markets world-wide. Besides building residential and commercial properties, the company also has proven competencies in shopping malls & retail, hospitality & leisure, education, healthcare and financial services sectors.

Emaar inaugurated Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building and free-standing structure, and has opened The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping centre.

In Saudi Arabia, Emaar is developing King Abdullah Economic City, the region's largest private sector-led project in Saudi Arabia, featuring a Sea Port, Central Business District, Industrial Zone, Educational Zone, Residential Communities and Resort District.

Emaar has joined hands with Giorgio Armani to strengthen its presence in hospitality. The company is also opening educational institutions and healthcare centres in South Asia, Middle East and North Africa and the Subcontinent.

Emaar holds 30 per cent equity in Dubai Bank, focused on retail and commercial banking. Emaar is also the largest shareholder in Amlak Finance, UAE's leading Islamic home financing company. For more information, visit www.emaar.com.

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Fazza Sky Team sets new world record for highest BASE jump from Burj Khalifa




Fazza Sky Team sets new world record for highest BASE jump from Burj Khalifa

Dubai, UAE; January 6, 2010: UAE national Nasser Al Neyadi, representing Fazza Sky Team, set a new world record for the highest BASE jump executed from a building by sailing down safely on a parachute from Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties. He was accompanied by Omar Alhegelan, his BASE and skydiving trainer.

Nasser Al Neyadi and Omar Alhegelan, expert sky divers and BASE jump enthusiasts, made a perfect landing after covering a vertical descent of 672 metres (2,205 ft).

BASE jumping, an extreme sports activity, refers to the four categories of fixed objects from which one executes the jump – buildings, antennas, bridges or spans and cliffs or earth. The two base jumpers covered the distance in a breathtaking 10 second delay and 30-40 second parachute flight.

They set a new world record by jumping from the highest point of a man-made structure; the Burj Khalifa, and smoothly landed at Burj Park Island, with the parachutes fanning out 10 to 12 seconds after their adventurous jump.

Nasser is the Accuracy Sky Diving UAE national champion of 2007, and has undertaken more than 2,700 sky dives. Along with Omar; the Fazza Sky Team members made the first ever Mt. Everest Skydives jumping from 29,500 ft - another World Record Jump!

Omar started BASE jumping in 1997 and has previously jumped from Petronas Towers in KL, Malaysia, during the trans-millennium New Year’s celebrations, where over 300,000 spectators watched him along with another 14 BASE jumpers make another World Record. He also has to his credit over 15,000 sky dives and multiple World and US National Titles in Freestyle & Freefly Skydiving.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director – UAE, Emaar Properties, said that BASE jump undertaken by the UAE national is another human achievement that complements Burj Khalifa’s accomplished track-record of pushing frontiers.

At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world according to the three main criteria of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The CTBUH ranks the world’s tallest buildings based on ‘Height to Architectural Top,’ ‘Height to Highest Occupied Floor’ and ‘Height to Tip.’


Caption:
Fazza Sky Team members, Nasser Al Neyadi and Omar Alhegelan, BASE jump from Burj Khalifa setting a new world record.

Burj Khalifa , Burj Dubai: Fact Sheet



Burj Khalifa , Burj Dubai: Fact Sheet

Described as both a ‘Vertical City’ and ‘A Living Wonder,’ Burj Dubai, developed by Dubai-based Emaar Properties PJSC, is the world’s tallest building.

Rising gracefully from the desert, Burj Dubai honours the city with its extraordinary union of art, engineering and meticulous craftsmanship.

The focal point of Downtown Burj Dubai, the flagship community project of Emaar Properties, Burj Dubai stands as the world’s tallest building and its highest man-made structure.

At over 800 metres (2,625 ft), Burj Dubai has 160 storeys, the most of any building in the world. The tower will be inaugurated on January 4, 2010, to coincide with Accession Day, the fourth anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum becoming Ruler of Dubai.

Arguably the world’s most prestigious address, Burj Dubai is responsible for a number of world-firsts.

The tower became the world’s tallest man-made structure just 1,325 days after excavation work started in January 2004.

Burj Dubai employs a record-breaking 330,000 cubic m (11.6 million cubic ft) of concrete; 39,000 m/t of reinforced steel; 103,000 sq m (1.1 million sq ft) of glass; and 15,500 sq m (166,800 sq ft) of embossed stainless steel. The tower took 22 million man hours to build.

With a total built-up area of 5.67 million sq ft, Burj Dubai features 1.85 million sq ft of residential space and over 300,000 sq ft of prime office space. That is in addition to the area occupied by the Armani Hotel Dubai and the Armani Residences.

The tower offers luxurious recreational and leisure facilities including four swimming pools, a private library, an exclusive residents’ lounge, health and wellness facilities, and At.mosphere, Burj Dubai, the world’s highest fine dining restaurant at Level 122.

The Armani Hotel Dubai will be home to eight unique dining experiences. The hotel will also include Armani/Privé, an upscale lounge, and the world’s first in-hotel Armani/SPA, measuring 12,000 square feet, where guests can enjoy spa treatments, thermal suites, a fitness centre and an outdoor swimming pool. The hotel will also be home to an Armani/Dolci chocolates boutique; an Armani/Fiori florist; and an Armani/Galleria boutique.

The observation deck on level 124, At the Top, Burj Dubai, is a must-see attraction and offers breathtaking views of the city and the surrounding emirate.

Connected to the tower are The Offices, a 12-storey annex of prime office space; The Club, a four-storey health and wellness centre; and Armani/Pavilion, an outdoor entertainment venue that opens onto the Burj Dubai Lake and The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest ‘performing fountain.’

Over 1,000 pieces of art by prominent Middle Eastern and international artists adorn the interiors of Burj Dubai and the surrounding Emaar Boulevard. Many of the pieces have been specially commissioned by Emaar as a tribute to the spirit of global harmony.

Tallest of the Tall

Burj Dubai fulfils all three criteria for tall buildings of the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). The CTBUH ranks the world’s tallest buildings based on ‘Height to Architectural Top,’ ‘Height to Highest Occupied Floor’ and ‘Height to Tip.’

Height to Architectural Top:
Burj Dubai – over 800 metres (over 2,625 ft)
Taipei 101, Taiwan – 508 metres (1,667 ft)
Shanghai World Financial Centre, China – 492 metres (1,614 ft)
Petronas Towers, Malaysia – 452 metres (1,483 ft)

Height to Highest Occupied Floor:
Burj Dubai – over 570 metres (1,800 ft)
Shanghai World Financial Centre, China – 474 metres (1,555 ft)
Taipei 101, Taiwan – 438 metres (1,437 ft)
Willis Tower, Chicago – 413 metres (1,354 ft)

Height to Tip:
Burj Dubai – over 800 metres (over 2,625 ft)
Willis Tower, Chicago – 527 metres (1,729 ft)
Taipei 101, Taiwan – 508 metres (1,667 ft)
Shanghai World Financial Centre, China – 494 metres (1,622 ft)

World Records

Burj Dubai holds the following world records:

Tallest building in the world – surpassing Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) had held the title of the ‘tallest building in the world’ since it opened in 2004
Tallest man-made structure in the world – surpassing the KVLY-TV mast in North Dakota, USA, which stands at 628.8 metres (2,063 ft)
Tallest free-standing structure in the world – breaking the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which stands at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft)
Largest number of storeys in the world – over 160
Highest occupied floor in the world – Level 160
Highest outdoor observation deck in the world – Level 124
World record for vertical concrete pumping – over 600 metres, beating the previous record held by Taipei 101 (448 metres or 1,470 ft)
Tallest service elevator in the world – 504 metres (1,654 ft), more than the height of Taipei 101 (448 metres) and almost one-and-a-half times that of the Empire State Building in New York (381 metres)
World record for the highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade
World’s highest swimming pool on Level 76 (over 260 metres; over 853 ft)


Milestones


Excavation started January 2004
Piling started February 2004
Superstructure started March 2005
Level 50 June 2006
Level 100 January 2007
Level 110 March 2007
Level 120 April 2007
Level 130 May 2007
Level 141 (world’s tallest building) July 2007
Level 150 (world’s tallest free-standing structure) September 2007
Level 160 (world’s tallest man-made structure) April 2008
Completion of spire pipe jacking &
Burj Dubai tops out January 2009
Cladding completed September 2009
Grand inauguration January 4, 2010

Facts at a Glance

Final height Over 800 metres (2,625 ft)
Final number of floors Over 160 storeys
Built-up area 5.67 million sq ft
Weight of empty building 500,000 tonnes
Total concrete used 330,000 cubic m (11.6 million cubic ft)
Total reinforced steel used 39,000 m/t
Total glass used for façade 103,000 sq m (1.1 million sq ft)
Total stainless steel used for cladding 15,500 sq m (166,800 sq ft)
Total man hours 22 million
Developer Emaar Properties PJSC
Architects and Engineers Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM)
Designer Adrian Smith
Main Contractor South Korea’s Samsung Corporation
Project & Construction Manager New York-based Turner International

Public Access

The public will have access to At the Top, Burj Dubai; Armani Hotel Dubai, The Park and the amenities offered at The Club. Owners of The Residences, The Corporate Suites and Armani Residences will have unique privileges including access to the many lifestyle amenities within the tower.
Handover Plan

Burj Dubai will receive its first residents as early as February 2010. They will be the first of over 12,000 people to live and work at Burj Dubai. The phased handover of 1,044 residences will start with the Armani Residences and will be followed by The Residences, Burj Dubai. The luxurious Armani Hotel Dubai, which runs from the tower concourse to Level 8 and occupies Levels 38 and 39, will be unveiled to guests on March 18, 2010.

The Corporate Suites, a collection of high-end offices, will open from March onwards. An orientation programme is being conducted for all occupants of the tower.

A Look Inside: The Main Components of the Tower

Total built-up area – 5.67 million sq ft
The Residences (900 homes) – 3.1 million sq ft
Levels – 19 to 37; 43 to 72; 76 to 108
Sky Lobby – Levels 43 to 44; 76 to 77
The Corporate Suites ( 37 floors) – 228,000 sq ft
Levels – 112 to 121; 125 to 154
The Corporate Suites/Residential Lounge – Level 123
Armani Hotel Dubai (160 rooms) – 269,000 sq ft
Levels – concourse, ground, and Levels 1 to 8; 38 to 39
Armani Residences (144 suites) – 219,000 sq ft
Levels – 9 to 16
At The Top, Burj Dubai
Level 124
Communication floors – 15,600 sq ft
Levels – 156 to 159
Leisure and other Amenities
Parking – Levels – B1 and B2
Swimming pools (four) – The Club, Concourse & Roof, L43, L76
Cigar Club – Level 1
Library – Level 123
Health club – 22,000 sq ft; The Club – annex
At.mosphere – 13,500 sq ft; Level 122
Armani/SPA – Level 3

The Residences

The world’s most prestigious address will be home to a select few. With 900 residences including studios and one, two, three and four-bedroom apartments, The Residences at Burj Dubai are designed for the connoisseur. The homes are spread over levels 19-108 of the tower.
The lobby reception area will feature World Voices, an intriguing installation by renowned artist Jaume Plensa. Composed of 196 cymbals representing 196 countries of the world, it symbolises the global collaboration that made Burj Dubai a reality.
For the convenience of homeowners, the tower is divided into sections with exclusive Sky Lobbies on Levels 43, 76 and 123. There are state-of-the-art fitness facilities including jacuzzis on Levels 43 and 76.
The Sky Lobbies on 43 and 76 both have swimming pools and a recreational room that can be utilised for special gatherings and receptions.
Other facilities for residents include a private library, an upmarket convenience store, The Gourmet Market, and a meeting place. Valet parking will be provided for guests and visitors alike.

The Corporate Suites
The Corporate Suites are located on the highest levels of the tower. They occupy 37 floors, with the top three floors merged into a single office. The entrance lobby is at the Concourse of the tower. In addition to valet parking, express lifts take office visitors directly to a lounge lobby at Level 123.

Armani Hotel Dubai
The world-first Armani Hotel Dubai opens to the world on March 18, 2010. From the room designs to the carefully selected textiles and fabrics, to the impeccable service, every aspect of the Armani hotel experience will bear the signature of fashion legend Giorgio Armani.
Armani Hotel Dubai targets connoisseurs, who value excellence, understated style and elegance. Offering 160 guest rooms and suites, restaurants and a spa, and covering more than 269,000 sq ft, Armani Hotel Dubai brings to life the Stay with Armani promise, an exceptional experience defined by the highest standards of aesthetics and service excellence.

Armani Residences
Armani Residences Dubai has been designed personally by Giorgio Armani, and is a reflection of his personal approach to elegance and style. Located on levels 9 to 16, the 144 one and two-bedroom suites, highlight Armani’s smooth, understated style combined with space and furnishings that focus on the compatibility of materials, form and lighting, in a superb, softly luminous setting. In addition to the full access to services offered by the Armani Hotel Dubai such as concierge, 24/7 room service, housekeeping, library, spa, gym and swimming pool, residents of Armani Residences will also have access to recreational facilities and entertainment venues within Burj Dubai.

At the Top, Burj Dubai
At the Top, Burj Dubai, located on Level 124, will not only offer visitors majestic, sweeping vistas of Dubai, but will also be an evocative and interactive journey through the history and evolution of Dubai and Burj Dubai.
A ten-part journey, At the Top, Burj Dubai starts at The Dubai Mall, where visitors can buy timed tickets at an elegant welcome area featuring monumental fields of LED displays reflecting the three-core design inspiration of Burj Dubai.
Visitors can enjoy several interactive features including ‘Burj Dubai Among the Greats,’ Burj Around the World’ and ‘Dubai Then and Now’. These displays chart the evolution of modern Dubai and reveal how Burj Dubai dramatically alters the city skyline.
Travelling at a speed of 10 metres per second, the journey to Level 124 takes approximately 60 seconds. The last stop of the journey is the At the Top, Burj Dubai boutique, where visitors can indulge in shopping for some unique Burj Dubai-inspired souvenirs.

Leisure and Retail
Burj Dubai has a variety of lifestyle amenities offering a myriad of choices for residents, guests and visitors. The recreational facilities and entertainment venues include four luxurious swimming pools, a library, exclusive residents’ lounge, serviced residences, a wellness facility and healthclub.
Moreover, residents can shop at the upmarket gourmet convenience stores - The Gourmet Market - and at the Sky Lobbies located on Levels 43 and 76. The Sky Lobbies will also have state-of-the-art fitness facilities and elegant meeting spaces.
Offering fine dining at the world’s tallest building, the tower will also be home to At.mosphere, an exclusive restaurant on Level 122.

Parking
For the convenience of residents and visitors, Burj Dubai has 3,000 car parking spaces on two basement levels.

The Park
Burj Dubai stands tall amidst The Park, an 11-hectare green oasis that surrounds the foot of the tower. The Park has six spectacular water features, lush green gardens and colourful flowering trees.
As part of Burj Dubai’s ‘green’ initiative, the landscaping is irrigated using a unique condensation collection system. Water condensation from the tower’s cooling equipment is recovered, providing an estimated 15 million gallons of water a year, enough to fill 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Celebrating the theme ‘A Tower in a Park,’ the landscaping of Burj Dubai has distinct divisions that serve the tower’s hotel, residential, spa and corporate office areas.
At the core of The Park’s design is a ‘water room’ located at the base of the tower defined by walls of dancing jets and pools.

The Offices
A complement to The Corporate Suites is The Offices, a 12-storey annex with direct access to Burj Dubai and The Dubai Mall. Parking spaces for The Offices will be offered at the mall and the tower for the convenience of tenants. The Offices have a total area of 337,000 sq ft.

The Club
The Club is a four-storey health and recreation annex to Burj Dubai spread over 22,000 sq ft. Although priority is given to Burj Dubai residents, it is also open to the public. The extensive facilities include two luxurious indoor and outdoor pools, two gymnasiums with a dedicated ladies-only gym and a contemporary spa facility.

Armani/Pavilion
An open-air gallery designed to host live entertainment events, the Armani/Pavilion opens onto the Burj Dubai Lake and affords spectacular views of The Dubai Fountain.

Design, Construction and Engineering

Design

The contract to design the world's tallest tower was awarded to the global leader in creating ultra-tall structures, the Chicago office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP (SOM) with Adrian Smith as consulting design partner.
The architecture features a triple-lobed footprint, an abstraction of the six-petalled desert flower, Hymenocallis. The tower is composed of three elements arranged around a central core.
The modular, Y-shaped structure, with setbacks along each of its three wings, provides an inherently stable configuration for the structure and provides attractive floor plates for residential space. Twenty-six ‘helical’ levels decrease the cross section of the tower incrementally as it spirals skyward.
The central core emerges at the top and culminates in a sculpted spire. The Y-shaped floor plan maximizes views of the Arabian Gulf.

Interiors

The interior design of Burj Dubai’s public areas was done by the Chicago office of SOM and was led by award-winning designer Nada Andric. It features glass, timber, stainless steel and polished dark stones, together with silver travertine flooring, Venetian stucco walls, handmade rugs and stone flooring.

Construction

Burj Dubai is truly the product of international collaboration; over 60 consultants including 30 on-site contracting companies from around the world were involved in the project.
At the peak of construction, over 12,000 professionals and skilled workers from more than 100 countries were on site every day. The world’s fastest high-capacity construction hoists, with a speed of up to 2 m/sec (120 metres/min), were used to move men and materials.
Over 45,000 cubic metres (1.59 million cubic ft) of concrete, weighing more than 110,000 tonnes, were used to construct the concrete and steel foundations, which feature 192 piles buried more than 50 m (164 ft) deep.
Burj Dubai employs a record-breaking 330,000 cubic m (11.6 million cubic ft) of concrete; 39,000 m/t of reinforced steel; 103,000 sq m (1.1 million sq ft) of glass; 15,500 sq m (166,800 sq ft) of embossed stainless steel; and the tower took 22 million man hours to build.
The amount of reinforced steel used at the tower, would if laid end to end extend over a quarter of the way around the world. The concrete used is equivalent to a sidewalk 1,900 kilometres (1,200 miles) in length, and the weight of 100,000 elephants. The weight of the empty building is 500,000 tonnes.
Work on the exterior cladding of Burj Dubai began in May 2007 and was completed in September 2009. The vast project involved more than 380 skilled engineers and on-site technicians. At the initial stage of installation the team progressed at the rate of about 20 to 30 panels per day, before increasing to as many as 175 panels per day.
The tower accomplished a world record for the highest installation of an aluminium and glass façade, at a height of 512 metres (1,679.8 ft). The total weight of aluminium used on Burj Dubai is equivalent to that of five A380 aircraft, and the total length of stainless steel ‘bull nose’ fins is 293 times the height of the Eiffel Tower in Paris.
Burj Dubai’s high performance exterior cladding system is designed to withstand the UAE’s summer temperatures. In all, the 24,348 cladding panels cover a curtain wall area of 132,190
sq m, and Burj Dubai’s shimmering exterior minimises heat transmission and saves energy.
In November 2007, the highest reinforced concrete core-walls were pumped using 80 megapascals (MPa) concrete from ground level. The concrete was pumped to a height of 605 metres (1,971.8 ft), breaking the previous pumping record held by Taipei 101. The concrete pressure during pumping to this level was nearly 200 bars.

Structural Elements

Burj Dubai pushes the frontiers of engineering, construction and design expertise. Its structure employs the latest advances in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods.

Foundation
The superstructure is supported by a large reinforced concrete mat, which is in turn supported by bored reinforced concrete piles. The mat is 3.7 metres thick, and was constructed in four separate pours totalling 12,500 cubic metres of concrete.

Podium
The podium provides a base anchoring the tower to the ground, allowing access from three different sides to three different levels of the building. Fully glazed entry pavilions built with a suspended cable-net structure provide separate entries for the Corporate Suites at B1 and Concourse Levels, the Burj Dubai residences at Ground Level and the Armani Hotel at Level 1.


Structural Core
In addition to its aesthetic and functional advantages, the spiraling “Y” shaped plan was utilised to shape the structural core of Burj Dubai. This design helps to reduce the wind forces on the tower, as well as to keep the structure simple and enhance ‘constructability’. The structural system can be described as a “buttressed core”, and consists of high-performance concrete wall construction.

Wind Engineering
The shape of the Burj Dubai is the result of innovative research by SOM’s architects and engineers to vary the shape of the building along its height, thereby minimising wind forces on the building. Each uniquely-shaped section of the tower causes the wind to behave differently, preventing it from becoming ‘organised’ and therefore minimising lateral movement of the structure.
High-performance, reinforced concrete core walls are linked to the exterior columns through a series of reinforced concrete shear wall panels at the mechanical levels. Extensive wind tunnel testing ensured that the tower design is able to resist high wind loads while minimising vibration.
As well as wind tunnel studies, the team performed a detailed climatic study which considered the unique meteorological conditions of Dubai. These studies evaluated both frequently occurring and rare wind events to address occupant comfort and building strength.

Spire
The crowning feature of Burj Dubai is its ‘telescopic’ spire comprising more than 4,000 tonnes of structural steel. It can be seen from 95 km (60 miles) away. The spire was built inside the building and jacked to its full height of over 200 metres (700 feet) using hydraulic strand jacks. The spire is integral to the overall design, creating a sense of completion for the landmark. The spire also houses communications equipment.

Mechanical Floors
Seven double-storey mechanical floors house the equipment that bring Burj Dubai to life. Located every 30 storeys, the mechanical floors house the electrical sub-stations, water tanks and pumps, air-handling units etc, that are essential for the operation of the tower and the comfort of its occupants.

Broadcast and Communications Floors
The top four floors have been reserved for communications and broadcasting. These floors occupy the levels just below the spire.

Elevators & Lifts
Burj Dubai features 57 elevators and eight escalators to meet the travel needs of the residents and visitors to the tower. The building service/fireman's elevator has a capacity of 5,500 kg and is the world's tallest service elevator.
Burj Dubai is the first ‘mega-high rise’ building in which certain elevators are programmed to permit controlled evacuation for certain fire or security events. Burj Dubai's observatory elevators are double deck cabs with a capacity for 12 to 14 people per cab. They travel at 10 metres per second.
The total number of stairs to Level 160 of Burj Dubai is 2,909; to climb even higher, ladders are used.

Maintenance

Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing
To achieve the greatest efficiencies, the mechanical, electrical and plumbing services for Burj Dubai were developed all together during the design phase of the tower in cooperation with the architect, structural engineers and other consultants.
The tower's water system supplies an average of 946,000 litres (250,000 gallons) of water daily. At peak cooling, Burj Dubai will require about 10,000 tonnes of cooling, equal to the cooling capacity provided by about 10,000 tonnes of melting ice.
Dubai's hot, humid climate combined with the building's cooling requirements creates a significant amount of condensation. This water is collected and drained in a separate piping system to a holding tank in the basement car park. The condensate collection system provides about 15 million gallons of supplement water per year, equal to about 20 Olympic-sized swimming pools. The tower's peak electrical demand is 36mW, equal to about 360,000 bulbs of 100 watts operating simultaneously.

Window Washing Bays
Access to the tower's exterior for both window washing and façade maintenance is provided by 18 permanently installed track and fixed-telescopic, cradle-equipped building maintenance units. The track-mounted units are stored in garages, within the structure, and are not visible when not in use. The manned cradles are capable of accessing the entire facade from the top of the tower down to level seven. Window washing is done vertically from the top to the ground and it takes approximately four months to clean the whole exterior.

Fire Safety & Security
Fire safety and speed of evacuation were prime consideration in the design of Burj Dubai. Concrete surrounds all stairwells and the building service and fireman's elevator has a capacity of 5,500 kg and is the world's tallest service elevator. There are pressurized, air-conditioned refuge areas located approximately every 25 floors.
 
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