DUBAI // The Burj Khalifa has claimed the record for the world’s highest observation deck with the unveiling of a new viewing level on the 148th floor.
At a staggering 555.7 metres high, it smashes the previous record held by Canton Tower, in Guangzhou, China, at 488 metres.
The new At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky venue adds to the existing viewing experience on the 124th floor.
“At the Top is today one of the world’s most compelling tourist attractions,” said Ahmad Al Falasi, executive director of property management at Emaar Properties.
“With the introduction of sky, we are scaling up the entire journey to Burj Khalifa by offering a truly premium experience that will be a lifetime’s memory for every visitor.
“We are doubly delighted to clinch the Guinness World Records title that adds to the glory of Burj Khalifa and enhances our reputation.”
The new attraction will be opened to the public on Wednesday and is part of an upgraded experience.
A third viewing deck on the 125th floor also adds to the experience, allowing those who choose to go to the 148th floor to have a second stop overlooking the public viewing deck on the 124th floor on the return journey.
The 125th floor is decorated with a Mashrabiya motif and visitors can look through viewfinders to go on a virtual tour of the city through Dubai — A Falcon’s Eye View.
Every visitor to the Burj can also learn more about the Hymenocallis desert flower, which is the design inspiration for the tower.
They can also watch a compilation of all the record-breaking events that have taken place at the Burj and see how Hollywood star Tom Cruise climbed the building during the filming of Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol.
People who buy tickets to the new floor can sit in an exclusive lounge as they wait for the lift.
They are then taken in batches, led by guest ambassadors, avoiding waiting queues.
The lift journey up features a projected video inside that marks the heights of various world-famous buildings as it surpasses them.
The 148th floor has a larger luxury lounge with big panel windows.
There is an outdoor viewing deck, an interactive large screen that takes viewers on a computer-generated trip down the Burj and around Dubai, as well as a boutique shop.
On the downwards journey a video plays inside the elevators that pays tribute to Dubai.
The highest observation deck is now the seventh world record that the Burj Khalifa lays claim to, said Talal Omar, from Guinness World Records.
“This region and the UAE, in particular, has seen a huge number of world records,” he said.
The UAE currently holds more than 130 world records, with the majority in Dubai.
“Since the Burj Khalifa opened four years ago we have seen many other people inspired to set records at the building itself,” said Mr Omar.
“We have had people climb the Burj and also set records for the highest base jump from the top.”
The Burj Khalifa has captured the imagination internationally and become an iconic landmark for Dubai.
Last year 1.87 million people visited the attraction and that figure is set to be surpassed this year, said Mr Al Falasi.
“Dubai has so much going for it in terms of attracting visitors and this will only add to that,” said Tanya Haroun, a spokeswoman for Dubai Tourism.
The new observation deck proved a hit with those invited to attend the official launch on Tuesday.
“I’ve lived in Dubai for 20 years and this is actually my first visit to the Burj Khalifa and it’s amazing,” said Zena Louay, who was attending with a friend. “The view is just breathtaking.
“You don’t really appreciate how Dubai has grown until you see it from so high up.”
Pre-booked tickets for At the Top, Burj Khalifa Sky are Dh400, which includes trips to both the 148th and 125th floors.
Immediate entry costs Dh500 and is subject to availability.
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