Burj Khalifa: from foundations to finished product

The shadow of Burj Dubai from the 124th floor of the Burj Photograph: Ali Haider/guardian.co.uk

Robert Booth, Executive Director of Emaar Properties, left, talks to a journalist as they overlook the construction site of the foundations of Burj Dubai, the world's tallest skycraper in Dubai, March 2005 Photograph: Kamran Jebreili/guardian.co.uk

The construction site for the Burj Dubai in December 2005 Photograph: Chris Jackson/guardian.co.uk

A construction worker at the Burj Dubai site, March 2006 Photograph: Dan Chung/guardian.co.uk

A computer image of the Burj Dubai which will be the world's highest building when completed Photograph: guardian.co.uk

Construction continues on the Burj Dubai skyscraper, October 2006, at 79 floors high. About 3,000 construction workers are currently on site Photograph: Rabih Moghrabi/guardian.co.uk

A horse practices at the Godolphin horse club in front of a backdrop of the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest tower surrounded by smoke caused by an explosion at a fireworks factory, March 2008 Photograph: Kamran Jebreili/guardian.co.uk

Construction workers walk past the Burj Dubai, the world's tallest man-made structure under construction in November 2009 Photograph: Karim Sahib/guardian.co.uk

Workers put the final touches to Burj Dubai, a few hours ahead of the official opening Photograph: Kamran Jebreili/guardian.co.uk

The view from the Burj Dubai three days before its official unveiling Photograph: Imre Solt/guardian.co.uk

Members of the media look out from one of the observation decks of the Burj Dubai Tower, during a media briefing for the opening of the tower Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/guardian.co.uk

Members of the media look at the view of Dubai city from the 124th floor of the Burj Dubai Photograph: Ali Haider/guardian.co.uk

A member of the media looks through electronic binoculars set up at the observation deck on the 124th floor of the Burj Dubai Tower Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/guardian.co.uk

The Burj Dubai, the world's tallest skyscraper, dominates the skyline in the Business Bay district Photograph: Bloomberg/guardian.co.uk

The skyline of Dubai showing the Burj Tower Photograph: Ahmed Jadallah/guardian.co.uk

Fireworks mark the opening ceremony of the skyscraper Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The tallest building in the world was officially inaugurated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai. Formerly known as the Burj Dubai, the building was officially unveiled as the Burj Khalifa, named after the UAE President. The tower's official height was declared to be 828 metres, 10 metres taller than previous estimates Photograph: Ali Haider/guardian.co.uk

The Burj Khalifa tower during the opening ceremony in Dubai Photograph: Martin Rose/guardian.co.uk

Dubai's Burj Khalifa tower, the world's tallest skyscraper, is lit by fireworks during its opening ceremony Photograph: Haider Shah/guardian.co.uk

Fireworks light up the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building during the official opening ceremony in Dubai Photograph: Kamran Jebreili/guardian.co.uk

Fireworks explode around the Burj Khalifa, during the opening ceremony in Dubai Photograph: guardian.co.uk