View of The Dubai Fountain from the observation deck

View from the observation deck

At the Top is an outdoor observation deck on the Burj Khalifa. It opened on 5 January 2010 on the 124th floor. At 452 m (1,483 ft), it was the highest outdoor observation deck in the world when it opened.^{[1] [2][3]}

Although it was surpassed in December 2011 by Cloud Top 488 on the Canton Tower, Guangzhou at 488 m (1,601 ft),^[4] Burj Khalifa opened the 148th floor SKY level at 500 m (1,600 ft), once again giving it the highest observation deck in the world on 15 October 2014,^[5][6] until the Shanghai World Financial Center opened in June 2016 with an observation deck at a height of 474 metres.^[7] The 124th floor observation deck also features the electronic telescope, an augmented reality device developed by Gsmprjct° of Montréal, which allows visitors to view the surrounding landscape in real-time, and to view previously saved images such as those taken at different times of day or under different weather conditions.^[8][9][10] To reduce the daily rush of sightseers, management allows visitors to purchase tickets in advance for a specific date and time, at a 75% discount on tickets purchased on the spot.^[11]

On 8 February 2010, the observation deck was closed to the public for two months after power-supply problems caused an elevator to become stuck between floors, trapping a group of tourists for 45 minutes.^{[12][13][14][15][16]}

When the tide is low and visibility is high, people can see the shores of Iran from the top of the skyscraper.^[17]

SKY level

148th floor Observation Deck

The Burj Khalifa also opened another observation deck relating to At the Top, on the 148th floor, called the SKY level.^[18] This allowed the Burj Khalifa to have once again the title of the highest observation deck in the world, surpassing the Canton Tower in Guangzhou, although it was later surpassed by the Shanghai Tower.^[19][8]

It still holds the record for the highest outdoor terrace in the world, and the highest restaurant in the world.^[18]

References

25°11′51″N 55°16′45″E / 25.1975°N 55.2792°E / 25.1975; 55.2792