The world's tallest skyscraper opens in a blaze of glory

Dubai opened the world's tallest skyscraper in a glitzy ceremony. The £1billion tower reaches 2,717 ft, 200 storeys into the sky, exceeding the next highest structure by some 1,000 ft. Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum renamed the tower Burj Khalifa after the president of the United Arab Emirates and the ruler of the neighbouring emirate of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al-Nahayan.

The complex of apartments, offices, shops, restaurants, a mosque, gym, nightclub and Giorgio Armani-designed hotel, was designed to the brief that residents need never leave. Everything they could possibly need is supposedly provided.

The hotel takes up the first eight floors with suites on the 38th and 39th. Residential apartments go up to the 108th floor – at about 1,300 feet.

A number of the higher floors – up to the 160th – have been designated as office space, while there is a restaurant on the 122nd floor and a gym, with an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, on the 123rd floor – some 1,440 feet off the ground.

On the 124th floor is the world's highest observation deck. The Burj Dubai is also intending to host the world's highest nightclub – on the 143rd floor.