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Dubai's Burj unexpectedly closed to the public

by Melanie Nayer (RSS feed) on Feb 9th 2010 at 9:00AM

The world's tallest building has abruptly closed to the public after only a month of being open to the public. Apparently, electric problems are partially to blame for the closure of the Dubai's Burj, which undoubtedly leaves many disappointed tourists looking up at the tower, instead of down from the half-mile high observation deck.

The closure of the Burj Khalifa's (the new name appointed to the tower) viewing platform is only one part of the problem, though. The Burj was preparing to welcome permanent guests and hotel guests over the next few months, and many wonder if plans will go through as predicted.

The Associated Press reports an indefinite closure, which started Sunday. Dubai had high hopes for this spire-structure. The Burj Khalifa was slated to be a major tourist draw for Dubai, helping to increase tourist dollars to the United Arab Emirates.

Dubai opened the 160-story skyscraper on Jan. 4. The first of 12,000 residential and office space tenants were scheduled to move in later this month. Work was still underway on the tower's Giorgio Armani-designed hotel and adjacent shopping center. The observation deck - and the tower's main draw - is located on the 124th floor. Tickets bought in advance cost around $27. Unfortunately, those travelers who pre-paid for tickets will now be standing in line for a refund.

Filed under: United Arab, Hotels and Accommodations, Middle East

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

V. V. Williams Mar 11th 2010 11:21PM

I live next door in Muscat. According to people I know in Dubai, the problem isn't just a simple glitch. There's something seriously wrong with the elevators (lifts); maybe it's mechanical, maybe it's the software. Anyway, what happened on the day of the closure was that a group of tourists were in one of the lifts when it dropped several floors (The rumors about just how many vary wildly.). They managed to get everyone out of the car, but there were some minor injuries. Anyway, the others who were up on the observation deck were very carefully brought down and the tower was closed to the public immediately. No one is quite sure when it'll reopen, but the trouble is being viewed as symbolic of Dubai's wider financial and ethical problems.