The Burj Al Arab is a hotel located in Dubai , United Arab Emirates.
At 321 meters it is the third tallest hotel in the World however , 39% of its total height is made up of non-occupiable space.
Burj Al Arab stands on an artificial island 280 meters from Jumeirah beach and is connected to mainland by a private curving bridge.
The shape of the structure is designed to mimic the sail of a ship
The Burj Al Arab is one of the most luxurious hotels to stay in. It has been called "The World's Only 7 Star Hotel".
In 1993 , architect Tom Wright of WS Atkins took on the challenge of creating this groundbreaking superstructure.
Construction began in 1994 and involved 3000 companies and contractors; 250 designers from UK, USA and Dubai; and 3500 workmen on site at any given time. It took 2 years to reclaim the island in the shore waters of the Arabian Gulf, and a further three years to erect the magnificent landmark.
Approximately 1.790 square meters ( 19,270 square feet) of 24-carat gold leaf was used to embellish the interior.
The Burj Al Arab's atrium is the world's tallest , measuring 180 meters high.