World's tallest tower closes to tourists
The world's tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after its lavish opening, disappointing tourists headed for the observation deck and casting doubt over plans to welcome its first permanent occupants in the coming weeks...
Electrical problems are partly to blame for the closure of the Burj Khalifa's viewing platform - the only part of the half-mile high tower open yet. But a lack of information from the spire's owner left it unclear whether the rest of the largely empty building - including dozens of elevators meant to whisk visitors to the tower's more than 160 floors - was affected by the shutdown.
The indefinite closure, which began on Sunday, comes as Dubai struggles to revive its international image as a cutting-edge Arab metropolis amid nagging questions about its financial health.
The Persian Gulf city-state had hoped the 828-metre Burj Khalifa would be a major tourist draw. Dubai has promoted itself by wowing visitors with over-the-top attractions such as the Burj, which juts like a silvery needle out of the desert and can be seen from miles around.
"It's just very disappointing," said Wayne Boyes, 40, a tourist from near Manchester who showed up at the Burj's entrance on Monday with a ticket for an afternoon time slot only to be told the viewing platform was closed. "The tower was one of my main reasons for coming here," he said.
The precise cause of the $US1.5 billion ($1.72 billion) Dubai skyscraper's temporary shutdown remained unclear. In a brief statement responding to questions, building owner Emaar Properties blamed the closure on "unexpected high traffic", but then suggested electrical problems were also at fault.
"Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and subcontractors and the public will be informed upon completion," the company said.
Power was reaching some parts of the building. Strobe lights warning aircraft flashed and a handful of floors were illuminated after nightfall.
Emaar did not say when the observation deck would reopen. Tourists affected by the closure are being offered the chance to rebook or receive refunds.
The city-state is facing a slump in tourism - which accounts for nearly a fifth of the economy - while fending off negative publicity caused by more than $US80 billion in debt it is struggling to repay.
Dubai opened the skyscraper on January 4 in a blaze of fireworks. Work is still ongoing on many of the other floors, including those that will house the first hotel designed by Giorgio Armani that is due to open in March. The base remains largely a construction zone, with entrance restricted to the viewing platform lobby in an adjacent shopping mall.
The first of about 12,000 residential tenants and office workers are supposed to move in this month.
The Burj Khalifa boasts more than 160 storeys. The exact number is not known.
The observation deck, mostly enclosed but includes an outdoor terrace bordered by guard rails, is located about two-thirds of the way up on the 124th floor. Adult tickets bought in advance cost 100 dirhams, or about $31. Visitors wanting to enter immediately can jump to the front of the line by paying 400 dirhams - about $126 - apiece.
Source: AP