The US$1.6bn (£1bn, €1.3bn) Burj Dubai will officially open its doors today (4 January) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Owned by real estate company Emaar Properties, the structure is the tallest building ever to be built at more than half a mile tall (2,690ft, 823m).

Burj Dubai was designed by Chicago-based architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) and built by South Korean Samsung C&T. Samsung’s previous projects include the Taipei 101, the building that previously held the title of the tallest in the world.

Leisure facilities at the tower include a hotel operated by Italy-based fashion house Armani and eight health and fitness clubs.

The Armani Hotel Dubai occupies 15 of the lower 39 floors and includes 160 bedrooms and suites, as well as a 430,556sq ft (40,000sq m) spa. The tower also offers 144 residential apartments designed by Giorgio Armani.

UK-based Pulse Fitness has secured the contract to supply all eight gyms.

The tower also features a number of restaurants and bars. One of these is the exclusive At.mosphere scenic restaurant on level 122.