Historical Background of Burj Khalifa

What prompted the government of Dubai to build Burj Khalifa?

Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Photo Source: Drnicoleessiger)

CONCEPTION

Apparently, it was based on the government’s decision to diversify from an oil-based economy to one that is service and tourism based.

Officials of Dubai disclosed that it has become necessary for projects like Burj Khalifa to be built in the city to gain more international recognition and entice new investment opportunities.

Jacqui Josephson, a tourism and VIP delegations executive at Nakheel Properties said that “Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum wanted to put Dubai on the map with something really sensational,” and they really delivered something very sensational and amazing!

Burj Khalifa was designed to be the centerpiece of a large-scale, mixed-use development which would include 30,000 homes, nine hotels (the Address Downtown Dubai included), 3 hectares or 7.4 acres of parkland, at least 19 residential towers, the Dubai Mall, and the 12-hectare or 30-acre man-made Burj Khalifa Lake.

The Burj Khalifa has restored the record of being the location of the Earth’s tallest freestanding structure to the Middle East, where, for almost four millennia, the Great Pyramid of Giza claimed this achievement before being surpassed by Lincoln Cathedral in England in 1311.

The Burj Khalifa, was previously otherwise known as Burj Dubai before its name was officially changed to Burj Khalifa during its grand opening; giviing honor of the president of the U.A.E. H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan for his crucial support in the project’s completion which coincided with the global financial crisis of 2007–2012, and which led to high vacancies and foreclosures. With Dubai deep in debt from its huge endeavor, the government was forced to seek multibillion dollar bailouts from its oil-rich neighbor Abu Dhabi.

Fortunately, the relentless effort of bringing Burj Khalifa into fruition has proven to capture world-wide attention and patronage.