Published: Tuesday, February 9, 2010
World’s tallest building now off-limits
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FILE - In this Jan. 4, 2010 file photo, the Burj Khalifa , the world's 828 meter tallest building is illuminated during the official opening ceremony in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Burj Khalifa's owner said Monday, Feb. 8, 2010 the observation deck of the world's tallest tower has been unexpectedly shut down, disappointing visitors and marring the spire's reputation just a month after it opened. The precise cause of the $1.5 billion Dubai skyscraper's closure remained unclear. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreil, File)
The top of the world’s tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after the building’s 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 at least 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.
The indefinite closure, which began Sunday, comes as Dubai struggles to revive its international image as a cutting-edge Arab metropolis amid nagging questions about its financial health.
Associated Press
Electrical problems are at least 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.
The indefinite closure, which began Sunday, comes as Dubai struggles to revive its international image as a cutting-edge Arab metropolis amid nagging questions about its financial health.
Associated Press
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