‘Spiderman’ scales Burj Khalifa

 Historic climb as part of ‘Education Without Borders 2011’

Dubai, UAE; March 29, 2011: Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building developed by Emaar Properties PJSC, set a date with history, as Alain Robert, dubbed as the ‘French Spiderman,’ scaled the exterior of the tower in a record-clinching feat on Monday, March 28, 2011.

The historic climb was held as part of the ‘Education Without Borders 2011’ international student conference organised by the Higher Colleges of Technology. Robert has earlier scaled more than 100 of the world’s super-tall structures, often without the aid of safety harnesses.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties PJSC, said: “Alain Robert’s scaling of Burj Khalifa is indeed momentous, and we are honoured to host the climb as part of the prestigious ‘Education Without Borders’ conference that brought the world’s leading educationalists and thought-leaders to witness the unprecedented feat.”

Thousands of spectators watched the French adventurist in action from Burj Park and Downtown Dubai. All safety precautions were taken with the cooperation of various Governmental authorities.

Robert saw the attempt to climb Burj Khalifa as a true challenge. Also a motivational speaker, he uses his high-rise conquests to highlight the inborn potential of man to overcome any challenge.

Towering high at a height of 828 metres (2,716.5 ft), Burj Khalifa is now a full-fledged community featuring world-class homes, offices, hotel suites and restaurants. The tower features the world’s highest public observation deck with an outdoor terrace, At the Top, Burj Khalifa. Another key attraction is At.mosphere, an exclusive fine dining restaurant situated on Level 122 of the tower, at a height of 442 metres (1,350 ft), which opened recently.

About Burj Khalifa:

A mixed-use tower featuring the world’s first Armani Hotel Dubai and Armani Residences, alongside corporate suites, residences, retail and leisure facilities, Burj Khalifa is at the centre of Downtown Dubai, a 500-acre mega-development by Emaar Properties. Among an array of lifestyle amenities, the tower has a public observation deck - At the Top - on level 124.

Described as ‘The Centre of Now,’ Downtown Dubai encompasses The Dubai Mall, one of the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destinations; several hotels; offices and homes. A stellar attraction within the community is The Dubai Fountain, the world’s tallest performing fountain.

At 828 metres (2,716.5 ft) high, Burj Khalifa is the world's tallest structure surpassing the KVLY-TV mast (628.8 metres; 2,063 ft) in North Dakota, USA. The tower is taller than Taipei 101 in Taiwan, which at 508 metres (1,667 ft) has held the tallest-building-in-the-world title since it opened in 2004. Burj Khalifa also surpassed the 31-year-old record of CN Tower, which at 553.33 metres (1,815.5 ft) has been the world’s tallest free-standing structure on land since 1976.

Designed by Chicago-based Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM), Burj Khalifa is constructed by high-rise experts South Korea’s Samsung Corporation. New York-based Turner Construction International is the project and construction manager. The tower employs the latest in wind engineering, structural engineering, structural systems, construction materials and construction methods.