When it opens later this year, the Burj Dubai will be the world's tallest building. Image source: burjdubaiskyscraper.com via glasssteelandstone.com

If there’s a time to crane your neck in the sky to see what lurks closer to the clouds, I suppose it is now.

As you can see from the towering, soon-to-be-finished Burj Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, I’m not talking about a Buddhist temple perched on the curve of a giant mountain in Tibet, China, India or Bhutan.

But that sight that would be nice, too.

The Burj Dubai reportedly costs $4.1 billion and shoots up 818 meters – or 2,684 feet – already making it the world’s tallest structure.

With over 160 stories, it will likely open on Dec. 2 - or at least part of it will - as part of the Emirates’ National Day, according to BurjDubaiSkyscraper.

The building has its official site with interesting facts - but it’s best to be patient with the audio or to turn your speakers down.

There are numerous construction images, though, that start from 2003.

Emaar Properties, which is backing the project, called the structure “tangible proof of Dubai’s central role in a growing world.”

Based on the number of high-end skyscrapers in Dubai, or ones that will be built, I agree.

A human can see the Burj Dubai’s spire from 60 miles, or 95 kilometers, away. The building will eventually house one of the first Armani Hotels, Emaar Properties noted.

Which begs a minor question: Will Hugo Boss or GORE-TEX follow suit with a hotel of their own in a taller building?

In terms of height, it will strip the prestigious title of world’s tallest building from the Taipei 101 Tower.

The Taipei 101 Tower is currently the world's tallest building at 508 to 509 meters, or about 1,670 feet. It has 101 stories. Image source: havefuntravel.tw

In a way, I’m actually happy to learn that fact. Of course, it will still be a sight to see this building in Taiwan.

But at least I will no longer get confused as to which place in Asia has the world’s tallest building.

I always seemed to bounce between two or three places – Malaysia? Taiwan? Mainland China? – every few years.

As a point of reference – especially for Seattle-area residents – the Burj Dubai will be about four-and-a-half times taller than the iconic and local favorite Smith Tower.

For nearly half a century, it held the title of tallest U.S. building west of the Mississippi River.

The iconic Smith Tower in Seattle. Image source: Wikipedia

I thought about whether the Burj Dubai would be height competition for Mount Rainier or Microsoft co-founder’s Paul Allen’s craft, SpaceShipOne, which won the X Prize.

My conclusion (thanks to information posted on the Internet): Not even close.

Yes, I know: It’s not quite fair to compare Mother Nature or a spaceship to architecture.

The architect responsible for the Burj Dubai is Adrian Smith, who worked on China’s tallest building – the Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai.

His company’s site, Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture, is worth visiting just to get insight into how the human brain can come up with inspirational designs of the future. 

The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat apparently is responsible for designating the tallest buildings in the world and will play a role with giving the Burj Dubai its official title.

I’m glad to learn about the council because I did not know of its existence.

On its site, the council has fascinating design information, facts and photographs – including images of the Burj Dubai.

It will take a few clicks to locate those photographs. But find Dubai on this page and look for the Burj Dubai photo series.

Finally, it’s good that such a group has the power to make an official ruling because there’s apparent debate as to whether spires and antennas on top of buildings should count, as compared to actual space used by humans.

The Luxury Property Blog notes that the official height was kept secret for a period because, apparently, competitors are lurking out there.

The worldwide credit crunch, though, reportedly halted some efforts, according to this Luxury Property Blog post.

One drawing of towers for Dubai, posted on that blog, resembles flames from candles.

And you know how company chief executives, presidents and board chairs love having the best corner office for its view and prestige?

Imagine, if you held those titles – or even if you didn’t – and had the top office in the Burj Dubai.

I’ve always maintained that looking to the future can be useful.

In that light and given structures already underway, it looks like that the Burj Dubai might hold the world’s tallest building title until around 2020, when the Nakheel Tower of Dubai makes its debut.

It is expected to tower over 1,000 meters or 3,281 feet. It will likely have over 200 stories.

For now, I’m trying to keep my thoughts as simple as possible.

In that regard, I’m content just thinking about upturned eaves and those cool structures from Seattle-based Modern-Shed Co.

You can use those sheds as an office or recreation area.