The Burj Khalifa is the highlight of any trip to Dubai. Go straight to the 830-metre-tall skyscraper to find incredible views of the city’s ever-evolving skyline. Immerse yourself in the city’s traditional roots by meandering through Bur Dubai to uncover Arabian heritage houses in this historic waterfront district. Standing at over 800 metres tall, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure in the world and stands out on the glistening Dubai city skyline. We’re talking 160 stories of architectural genius, including the world’s highest observation deck at 555 metres, which grants you panoramic vistas of Dubai and the surrounding ocean and desert. This unique tower boasts the world’s fastest double-deck elevators and virtual reality experiences. The World's tallest building. Burj Khalifa is all that. The building, modular in plan, is laid out on a three-lobed footprint that is an abstract rendering of the local Hymenocallis flower. The Y-shaped plan plays a central role in the reduction of wind forces on the tower. A hexagonal central core is buttressed by a series of wings, each with its own concrete core and perimeter columns. As the tower increases in height, the wings step back in a spiral configuration, changing the building’s shape at each tier and so reducing the effect of the wind on the building.