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Dubai Fetes Tallest Building

Dubai hopes 2,717-foot wonder can repair reputation

By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 4, 2010 4:07 PM CST
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(Newser) – The Burj Khalifa Bin Zayed, the tallest building in the world, opened today with an extravagant ceremony involving 10,000 fireworks. The 2,717-foot, 160-story tower—originally the Burj Dubai, and renamed in honor of the president of the UAE—is expected to boost revenue for developer Emaar Properties by $1 billion in the first quarter of 2010.

"Crises come and go," Emaar's chairman proclaimed optimistically at the opening ceremony. But in the face of a larger real-estate slump and sovereign debt issues, it's unclear whether one tower, no matter how tall, can repair Dubai's reputation as a economic leader in the Arab world, the Wall Street Journal reports.

An Emirati man watches the city view at an observation point screen at the observation deck of the Burj Dubai tower, on Level 124 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
An Emirati man watches the city view at an observation point screen at the observation deck of the Burj Dubai tower, on Level 124 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Fireworks light up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Fireworks light up Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Nousha Salimi)
Fireworks light up Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Fireworks light up Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Nousha Salimi)
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Nousha Salimi)
The Burj Khalifa , the world's 828 meter tallest building is illuminated during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
The Burj Khalifa , the world's 828 meter tallest building is illuminated during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Emirati officials prepare for the opening of Burj Khalifa , the world's 828 meter tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Emirati officials prepare for the opening of Burj Khalifa , the world's 828 meter tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
Fireworks light up, Burj Khalifa , the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the official opening of the building Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.
The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on the official opening of the building Monday, Jan. 4, 2010.   (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 7 comments
Hip
Jan 5, 2010 12:50 PM CST
Al Qaeda? I'd worry more about having to make two trips from the car to bring my groceries in...
orchide87
Jan 5, 2010 7:58 AM CST
or just a precaution for when they're gona ask for even more money
Fondue
Jan 5, 2010 5:10 AM CST
I thought it would be racist jihadi Christians.
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Dubai • Burj Dubai • United Arab Emirates • skyscraper • world's tallest building • tallest buildings • UAE • Burj Khalifa • Khalifa Bin Zayed al Nahyan • famous buildings

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