Burj A Little Behind Schedule, But Oh-So-Spectacular On Video

on Saturday, 11 July 2009.

Reports today say the completion of the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest building, will be delayed by about three months. It's now slated to open in December 2009 instead of September as planned.

The EXACT final height of the building is apparently still under dispute; some say 818 metres, others say more. One thing for sure the Burj will be in interesting company as I explored in a previous blog post Talking Towers: Who's On Top And Who's Not.

An article on today's Maktoob Business says:

...the Burj Dubai (will) eventually be the tallest structure in the world in all four of the criteria listed by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

The council measures height to the structural top, the highest occupied floor, to the top of the roof, and to the tip of the spire, pinnacle, antenna, mast or flag pole.

The Burj Dubai will not be officially recognised as the world's tallest structure until it is completed.

The current tallest building in the world is the Taipei 101 in Taiwan at 509.2 metres.

The Burj Dubai is to be the centrepiece of luxury development Downtown Burj Dubai. The $20 billion project includes 30,000 homes, nine hotels, 6.2 acres of parkland, 19 residential towers, the Dubai Mall, and a 30-acre manmade lake with one of the world’s largest fountains.

I've seen the fountain in action up close and personal, and I must say it is one of THE most amazing waterworks shows I've ever had the pleasure of watching. The fountain (which is actually several hundred water jets that dance to music is best seen from the ground. For a dizzying view of the Burj from on high, take a look at the video.