Dubai: The world`s tallest building Burj
Dubai will be thrown open to the public on December 2, to
coincide with UAE`s National Day.
The opening date of the building has been a closely
guarded secret for years – however, a senior architect working
on the project has confirmed that December 2 has been set
aside for the opening, the Arabian Business reported.
The Armani Hotel, which is part of the building, will
welcome its first guests on the same day.
Ceremonies to mark the launch are also being planned for
December 2, the report said but it was not yet clear whether
other parts of the tower will be fully accessible.
"This will be a huge achievement and a big celebration
for the UAE and for Emaar, particularly as it`s UAE National
Day. It will be the first time the public can enter the
building," said the architect.
The final piece of glass cladding to complete the
exterior of Burj Dubai, was now ready and would be installed
within weeks, developer Emaar Properties said. Emaar, however,
has maintained it will not comment on the opening date.
Spanning six metres in length, the panel is the last of
the 24,348 pieces of cladding fitted to the super-structure.
Emaar has been tight-lipped over the final height of the
tower, which is believed to have topped 818 metres earlier
this year. More than 1,000 specially commissioned pieces of
art will adorn the interiors of Burj Dubai.
Pride of the place in the iconic structure`s residential
lobby will be held by an artwork featuring 196 bronze and
brass alloy cymbals - representing the 196 countries of the
world - suspended on titanium rods anchored at the bottom of
two pools.
Visitors to the lobby will be able to hear a distinct
musical sound as the cymbals, which are plated with 18-carat
gold, are struck by dripping water intended to mimic the sound
of water falling on leaves.
Bureau Report
