DUBAI – The world’s tallest building has been opened with a fireworks ceremony and a surprise name change.
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai was revealed to be 828m (2,716ft) high, considerably taller than the previous record holder, Taipei 101 at 508m.
Known as the Burj Dubai during construction, the tower has been renamed after the leader of Dubai’s oil-rich neighbour, Abu Dhabi.
Last month, Abu Dhabi gave Dubai a handout of $10bn (£6.13bn) to help it pay off its debts.
The tower also lays claim to the highest occupied floor, the tallest service lift, and the world’s highest observation deck – on the 124th floor.
The world’s highest mosque and swimming pool will be located on the 158th and 76th floors.
The BBC reported that the opening ceremony, held 1,325 days after excavation work started, was attended by some 6,000 guests.
Though not complete on the inside, it was officially opened by Dubai’s ruler, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.
In a surprise move he renamed it Burj Khalifa – after the president of the United Arab Emirates and emir of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahayan.
Sheikh Mohammed described the tower as "the tallest building ever created by the hand of man".
"This great project deserves to carry the name of a great man. Today I inaugurate Burj Khalifa," he said.
Sheikh Mohammed also unveiled a plaque inside the tower bearing the new name.
