The world's tallest tower Burj Dubai will open this year on Dec.2, coinciding with the UAE National Day. Mohammed Al-Abbar, chairman of Emaar Properties, the developer of the project, said he was “shooting for UAE National Day.” Al-Abbar also said on CNN that “12,000 staff were working inside trying to get the building ready”. Emaar announced early this month that the exterior cladding of the Burj Dubai is now complete. The building, which currently measures over 800 meters, has accomplished a new world record for the highest installation of an aluminum and glass facade, Emaar Properties said. A total of 24,348 pieces of cladding were fitted to the tower since May 2007. - Agencies The total glass used in the building can cover 14 standard football pitches. The total length of stainless steel used is equivalent to the area of 34 NBA basketball courts. The total length of the gaskets if laid end-to-end is equivalent to the distance from Dubai to Damascus. A total of 2,074 truck deliveries were undertaken to take the panels from the factory to the Burj Dubai site - the distance is equal going round the earth once, or trekking the Great Wall of China six times.
