World's Tallest Building Set to Open in Dubai

[Bodybuilding Related]

DUBAI (Reuters) - Started at the height of the economic boom and built by some 12,000 laborers, the world's tallest building will open on Monday in Dubai as the glitzy emirate seeks to rekindle optimism after its financial crisis.

Burj Dubai, whose opening has been delayed twice since construction began in 2004, will mark another milestone for the deeply indebted emirate with a penchant for seeking new records.

Dubai, one of seven members of the United Arab Emirates, gained a reputation for excess with the creation of man-made islands shaped like palms and an indoor ski slope in the desert.

With investor confidence in Dubai badly bruised by the emirate's announcement in November that it would seek a debt standstill for one of its largest conglomerates, the Burj Dubai is seen as a positive start to the year after a bleak 2009.

The project has been scrutinized by human rights groups, who have objected to its treatment of laborers, as well as by environmentalists who said the tower would act as a power vacuum, increasing the city's already massive carbon footprint.

But despite the criticism, many say the edifice, believed to have cost $1.5 billion to build, is an architectural marvel.

The tower's height has been kept a closely guarded secret until now. Developer Emaar Properties PJSC will reveal the height -- known to exceed 800 meters (2,625 feet) -- on Tuesday and Dubai's ruler will inaugurate the opening.

Experts believe Dubai's recent financial troubles have not hurt sales of approximately 1,100 residential units in the Burj -- meaning tower in Arabic -- saying they were nearly all sold.

Dubai's real estate sector crashed at the end of 2008 when the global financial crisis hit the emirate after a six-year economic boom. Thousands of jobs were slashed and projects worth billions of dollars were canceled or delayed.

With analysts suggesting tax-free Dubai might sell some of its assets to boost revenues and slash $80 billion in debt, many wondered if the tower was on the list for grabs.

Dubai, with few natural resources of its own, expects a budget deficit of 2 percent of GDP this year.

In December, the emirate received a $10 billion lifeline from neighboring Abu Dhabi to repay a $4.1 billion bond for Nakheel, a property arm of indebted Dubai World, and other obligations.

[Boost]

Too bad the economy went bust and the place is a grotesque materialistic clusterfuck

[Playboy]

Who fucking cares 

[YoungBlood]

An observation deck on floor 124? More than 50 stories taller than the Sears Tower?

That building is on steroids!!!

[jaejonna]

Too bad the economy went bust and the place is a grotesque materialistic clusterfuck

hahahhaa exactly who gives a fuck about visiting that desert shit hole.

[rkw1969]

better get some anti aircraft units on it cause it will be a target i one day im betting

[French]

Too bad the economy went bust and the place is a grotesque materialistic clusterfuck

Pure american spirit

[liberalismo]

I'm glad to see that these buildings are being built in different parts of the world, and are inspiring globalism. Especially in a place like the middle east. This can serve as a beacon to technology and science in the middle east.

The sad thing about this, well the sad thing(s), are that all of these funds are temporary oil funds which will dry out soon and of course Dubai will probably be under water in 50 years due to global warming.

[Parker]

An observation deck on floor 124? More than 50 stories taller than the Sears Tower?

That building is on steroids!!!

A giant phallic symbol. Now here is the question, does it represent that "Mine's bigger than yours.", or "I'm overcompensating for my own lacking"

[CalvinH]

I can't believe the tallest building in the world is in India.I wonder if Matt has interests in it?

[Tre]

A giant phallic symbol. Now here is the question, does it represent that "Mine's bigger than yours.", or "I'm overcompensating for my own lacking"

Although it may seem unlikely on the surface, the Muslim world has more practicing homosexuals per capita than the Christian world. 

[emn1964]

you could not pay me enough money to even visit that shit hole much less live there amongst the muslims and savages.

[clued-up]

that is awesome. 

[Dreadlifter]

I can't believe the tallest building in the world is in India.I wonder if Matt has interests in it?

9 replies, it took 9 replies for someone to point out the fact taht that building is in Dubai, India.

Today i am disappointed in Getbiggers save for Calvin H.


That building is ridiculous. I know a heck of a lot of building projects got cancelled or halted when the finiancial world hit the skids. I guess they had to continue with it to save face. I can't even comprehend a building that size

[jesusbod]

better get some anti aircraft units on it cause it will be a target i one day im betting

Their own people are going to attack it... Fucking rag heads...

[hazbin]

20-25 minute elevator ride to the top? 

[Monohydrate]

Love the title of the original photo haha sami

[affeman]

that is awesome.  

Still I wouldn't feel too safe on the top floor. When the wind is a lil harsh....

[gordiano]

Their own people are going to attack it... Fucking rag heads...

It's allah's will.....

[Fury]

I'm glad to see that these buildings are being built in different parts of the world, and are inspiring globalism. Especially in a place like the middle east. This can serve as a beacon to technology and science in the middle east.

The sad thing about this, well the sad thing(s), are that all of these funds are temporary oil funds which will dry out soon and of course Dubai will probably be under water in 50 years due to global warming.

Beacon of science and technology that was designed and built by an architectural firm based out of Chicago.

[dr.chimps]

Although it may seem unlikely on the surface, the Muslim world has more practicing homosexuals per capita than the Christian world. 

Oh, really!? It's not like out Muslim Getbiggers are...Never mind.

[nolotil]

I'm glad to see that these buildings are being built in different parts of the world, and are inspiring globalism. Especially in a place like the middle east. This can serve as a beacon to technology and science in the middle east.

The sad thing about this, well the sad thing(s), are that all of these funds are temporary oil funds which will dry out soon and of course Dubai will probably be under water in 50 years due to global warming.

they are living on borrowed money  

[Parker]

Although it may seem unlikely on the surface, the Muslim world has more practicing homosexuals per capita than the Christian world. 

I think it's gay to want your women covered up, even at the beach or in the swimming pool. Or to not allow them to participate in the Olympics (specifically events like diving or swimming). All under the guise "that men cannot control themselves"

[disturbia]

if you magnify the pic you can see MattT on the 43 floor with a map of India in his hand

[marty31672]

wonder how much it costs to go to the top.
do they even have an observeration deck?