8 mind-blowing facts about the Burj Khalifa

The Burj Khalifa isn’t any old building. It’s the titan of towers, a record-smashing skyscraper that is one of the top things to do in Dubai, literally. This architectural heavyweight pierces the heavens as a leader in the vertical race to the extraordinary. Think you know all about this mammoth structure? These eight fun facts about the Burj Khalifa are set to turbocharge your knowledge, taking you to the heart of human ambition and sky-high engineering. It's time to answer those burning questions about Dubai's unmissable landmark. How heavy is the Burj Khalifa? How far away can you see the Burj Khalifa? How many windows does it have? All the answers are right here.

1. It took an army

Building the Burj Khalifa was a Herculean feat — not that the city isn't used to grand plans, just look at Dubai's fountains. The spider lily-inspired design set the stage for a record-breaking build that makes other skyscrapers look like sandcastles. Over 12,000 workers stormed the site daily — talk about a human powerhouse! Dubai might be no stranger to skyscrapers, but the Burj Khalifa is its crowning glory, an epic tale of manpower and ambition (and tens of thousands of hard hats).

2. Heavy metal(s)

The Burj Khalifa is the ultimate showcase of infrastructural engineering muscle. To keep this 830-meter titan standing, the architects went all-in on concrete — enough to rival the weight of 100,000 elephants. Built with a Y-shape foundation for stability, this heavyweight champ is built like a fortress. After all, when you're dealing with the world’s tallest building, you don’t just need steel, you need an iron will and a mountain of concrete.

3. Reaching for the stars

The Burj Khalifa wasn’t content with just scraping the sky — it aimed to own it. Not only did it shatter the record for the tallest building, but it also snagged a couple more Guinness Worlds Records. If you're wondering do people live in the Burj Khalifa? They sure do. The Burj Khalifa actually has the world’s highest digs. Don't worry about taking the stairs though. The world’s tallest elevator in this tower makes a trip to those lofty abodes a breeze.

4. Going the distance

It might be debatable whether you can see the Great Wall of China from space. But there’s no doubt that the Burj Khalifa is visible from 95 kms away. Whether you're exploring the desert on a Dubai dunes safari or soaking up the bay views on a yacht tour, this sky needle is always in sight. So, next time you're out and about, look up — you're probably under its watch.

5. A feast above the clouds

Hungry for a view? Dinner at Atmosphere on the 122nd floor should be included in your Dubai itinerary. No matter where you find yourself seated, these vistas — at a dizzying 441 meters — are unbeatable, thanks to the multi-tiered floor plan making every angle a top-notch vantage point. There’s simply no sweeter end to a meal than the twinkle of the skyline before you.

6. A little spring cleaning

Ever thought about window cleaning as an extreme sport or how many windows does the Burj Khalifa have? 26,000 glass panels mean this isn't your average clean — it's an-every-three-months sprint. And just when you think it's done, it’s time to start over. Not for the faint-hearted, but the sights from Burj Khalifa's observation deck are worth every squeaky-clean pane.

7. The height of art and fashion

The Burj Khalifa is one of the best places to visit in Dubai as it also doubles as a soaring vertical art gallery. At the corporate entrance, for example, is Egyptian artist Karim Rashid’s mesmerizing oval sculpture; while homeowners are greeted with a chorus of “World Voices,” an installation of 196 cymbals by Jaume Plensa, when they enter the lobby at the Residences of Burj Khalifa. Fashion lovers, you can also rest your head at the plush Armani Hotel whose rooms are spread between the 8th and 39th floors.

8. And… sewage shenanigans?

Does the Burj Khalifa have a sewage system may not be the most glamorous thing to think about, but it is a very important question. It's a little-known, not-so-sweet fact that this icon lacks a direct link to the city's sewer system. Yep, every bit of waste from this soaring tower is trucked out daily in an armada of poo trucks. It's a solution that's as pragmatic as it is pungent, born from cost-cutting measures during the 2008 financial crunch. Hosting up to 35,000 people, the Burj churns out 15 tons of sewage per day. Plans are in place for a sewage system upgrade, but until then, watch out for the orange brigade if you're visiting.