World's tallest building opens, named Burj Khalifa [Buildings]

Just a few minutes ago, Dubai officially opened the world's tallest building. Until now, we thought it was going to be called the Burj Dubai, but get used to the name of the tallest building in the world: Burj Khalifa. Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammad surprised everyone when he named the gigantic building after Sheikh Khalifa, president of the United Arab Emirates.

How tall is it? Until now, the height of the $1.5 billion building was an official secret, but we have the number for you: its 828 meters, or 2717 feet tall. That's 1000 feet taller than the previous recordholder, the 101-story Taipei 101.

The half-mile-high building is the tallest man-made structure ever built, eclipsing even previous recordholder, the 2,121-foot Warsaw radio mast. Another amazing record: the fastest elevators in the world, traveling at 40 mph.

[DVICE via Burj Khalifa via Times Now]

Posted in: Building, Burj Khalifa, Dubai, Highest