Burj Khalifa Construction Cost, How Much Did It Cost?

The Burj Khalifa cost about US1.5billion(roughlyAED5.5billion)tobuild.Thisisthewidelyreportedestimateforthetoweralone.Emaar'sofficialfactsheetgivesnocostfigure.ThewiderDowntownDubaidevelopmentarounditisestimatedatUS20 billion.

Which number is which?

Most confusion comes from mixing up three different figures.

Spread across the tower's 828 m height, US1.5billionworksouttoroughlyUS1.8 million per metre. That is a rough calculation, not an official figure.

Why is the cost only an estimate?

News outlets and property sites such as Al Jazeera and Property Finder repeat the US1.5billionfigure.TheofficialBurjKhalifafactsheetlistsdimensions,materialsanddatesbutnocost.Sourcesmayalsoincludeorleaveoutdifferentitems,andsomegivearangeofUS1.4-1.5 billion. Use the number as a guide, not an audited total.

What does the cost cover?

The tower itself: design, materials, labour, systems and project management. One property site puts the foundation alone at about US$150 million. The figure does not cover Downtown Dubai, a district of about two square kilometres that includes the Dubai Mall, hotels, homes and an artificial lake.

Quick facts

Build timeline (official fact sheet)

The project ran for about six years from the first excavation.

What went into it? (official fact sheet)

Why was it so expensive?

• Record height. At 828 m, wind, pressure and structural movement are much harder problems than in a normal tower.

• Deep foundation. 192 piles, each over 50 m deep, carry the weight.

• Materials and labour. 330,000 cubic metres of concrete, 39,000 tonnes of rebar and 22 million man-hours.

• Systems. Lifts, cooling, water supply and safety systems had to work at extreme height.

• Coordination. The fact sheet lists more than 60 consultants and 30 on-site contracting companies.

Is it worth it?

For Dubai, the tower is a global symbol and a draw for tourists and investors. It supports property, hotels and retail in Downtown Dubai. Whether that justifies the cost depends on how you measure value. No source I found gives a return figure.

Frequently Asked Questions. 

What is the total construction cost of Burj Khalifa?
About US$1.5 billion (roughly AED 5.5 billion), as widely reported. It is an estimate.

Does the cost include the Dubai Mall and Dubai Fountain?
No. The figure is for the tower. The mall, the fountain and the rest of Downtown Dubai had separate costs.

How much did Downtown Dubai cost?
Wikipedia gives an estimated US$20 billion on completion.

How much did the Dubai Fountain cost?
Emaar chairman Mohamed Alabbar has said US$180 million.

How tall is Burj Khalifa?
828 metres (about 2,717 feet).

How long did it take to build?
About six years, from excavation in January 2004 to the opening on January 4, 2010.