World's tallest tower closed a month after opening
By Adam Schreck, for AP:
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – The world's tallest skyscraper has unexpectedly closed to the public a month after its lavish opening, disappointing tourists headed for the observation deck and casting doubt over plans to welcome its first permanent occupants in the coming weeks.
[...]
The precise cause of the $1.5 billion Dubai skyscraper's temporary shutdown remained unclear.
In a brief statement responding to questions, building owner Emaar Properties blamed the closure on "unexpected high traffic," but then suggested that electrical problems were also at fault.
"Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main and subcontractors and the public will be informed upon completion," the company said, adding that it is "committed to the highest quality standards at Burj Khalifa."
Despite repeated requests, a spokeswoman for Emaar was unable to provide further details or rule out the possibility of foul play. Greg Sang, Emaar's director of projects and the man charged with coordinating the tower's construction, could not be reached. Construction workers at the base of the tower said they were unaware of any problems.
I haven't ever read of any jihadi threats against the Dubai skyscraper, and don't know of any Qur'anic justification to damage the property, as long as Dubai's rulers are considered sufficiently Muslim. But maybe this was an allusion to a Mossad or CIA plot, or some other blame-the-kufar conspiracy theory. I think shoddy workmanship and incompetence is a far more likely explanation.
[...]
The opening date had originally been expected in September, but was then pushed back until sometime before the end of 2009. The eventual opening date just after New Year's was meant to coincide with the anniversary of the Dubai ruler's ascent to power.
There were signs even that target was ambitious. The final metal and glass panels cladding the building's exterior were installed only in late September. Early visitors to the observation deck had to peer through floor-to-ceiling windows caked with dust — a sign that cleaning crews had not yet had a chance to scrub them clean.
Posted on 02/08/2010 11:00 PM by Artemis Gordon Glidden
Comments
9 Feb 2010
George McCallum
I have always thought that the Dubai ruler has invested all this money and resources in an effort to show the world, particularly the western world, that an Islamic country could match, or even exceed, western technology and innovation. It's a "see, we are as good as you" mentality. In this, they have only succeeded in creating a gaudy city in the desert that makes one want to turn away in embarrassment, not only because of the near slave labor conditions of the "guest workers" brought in to build the city, but because of the pointlessness of it all. In addition to this, they have added golf tournaments - see the recently concluded Dubai Desert Classic - and professional tennis tournaments which attract big-name sports figures, unless they happen to be Jewish; in which case, the "not welcome" sign is hung on the door. This is all in a vain attempt to give a veneer of respectability and civilization to a country which will never have either so long as the dead hand of Islam is present.
Tour Dubai or watch those sports tournaments? Not a chance.
9 Feb 2010
Xanthippe
Dubai builds its tower tall in order to attract visitors, and then the tower goes dysfunctional when the visitors arrive. This ought to be fodder for more than one waggish remark. Where's Mary on this one?
