Photographs: Ana Marin/Reuters
Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower that stands at 828 metres high, was on Monday inaugurated by Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad, who sprang a surpise by renaming the skyscraper 'Burj Khalifa', after the United Arab Emirates president Sheikh Khalifa.
Blazing fireworks and dazzling lights marked the opening of the world's tallest tower that pips all its nearest rivals, including the 101-storey high Taipei Tower in Taiwan.
Sheikh Mohammad inaugurated the tower in a colourful ceremony featuring dazzling laser lights, fireworks display and a choreographed water display on the Dubai fountains which stretch for 275 metres at the foot of the tower.
The 11-minute scenario consisted of a pre-show and three acts; the Hymenocalis flower, heart beat and the firework display finale. The extravaganza was managed by event architect company Prisme International, said its CEO Pierre Marcout.
The finale act saw a magnificent show of 10,000 firework effects on and from the tower, estimated to be the highest ever in the world reaching 850m in height and lasting three minutes.
The display was carefully designed by famous Christophe Berthonneau of the Groupe F Company who also produced the 1998 World Cup at Stade de France and the New Year's Eve 2000 by the Eiffel Tower and the Olympic Games in Athens. . . .
Dazzling fireworks light up world's tallest tower
Photographs: Mosab Omar/Reuters
The steel and glass tower was opened by Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid al Maktoum, who also lifted the veil on a closely guarded secret of its final height.
"Emirates has made a mark on the world and Dubai has built something for the world that is built by human beings," Sheikh Mohammed said while announcing the tower open.
After throwing the tower open, Sheikh Mohammad renamed the Burj Tower as 'Burj Khalifa' as a tribute to the UAE's President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. . . .
Dazzling fireworks light up world's tallest tower
Photographs: Ahmed Jadallah/Reuters
According to a giant screen at the opening ceremony, the Khalifa measures 828 metres (2,717 feet), overtaking Taipei 101, which is 508 metres (1,676 feet) high.
The $1.5-billion structure is an 'unprecedented' engineering marvel that was built with a major contribution from India -- a vast labour force.
The Gulf Emirates hopes the launch will pep up its global image, shaken by debt woes.
. . .
Dazzling fireworks light up world's tallest tower
Photographs: Mosab Omar/Reuters
The Dubai Burj's record seeking builders are also boasting of the highest occupied floor of any building in the world and today the needle-shaped tower ranks taller than north Dakota's Television mast.
US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent a special message of felicitation to Sheikh Mohammed on the occasion.
In her message, Clinton said: "Your efforts to create international cooperation in our global economy are an important endeavour. I applaud your commitment to sustainable development." . . .
Dazzling fireworks light up world's tallest tower
Photographs: Mosab Omar/Reuters
Occupying a pride of place on the Burj will be a leading Indian businessman in the country, B R Shetty, chief of the NMC Group. Shetty will be occupying 100th floor of Burj Dubai.
The spire is billed as a 'vertical city' of luxury apartments and offices. It boasts four swimming pools, a private library and a hotel designed by Giorgio Armani. . . .
Dazzling fireworks light up world's tallest tower
Photographs: Steve Crisp/Reuters
Work on the world's new tallest building started in 2004 and at times new floors were being added almost every three days.
The opening of the spectacular tower comes after the ones booming real estate sector in the Emirates has crashed, halving the value of most of Dubai properties in comparison with peak prices, when they were selling for a staggering $1,900 per square foot.
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