Which Burj Khalifa stories are true, and which are myths?
Several popular Burj Khalifa stories do not hold up. We found no named news source for the claim that one man owns 22 flats, and no primary source for sewage being trucked away. Other stories are true: Samsung C&T was the main contractor, and residents above floor 80 break their Ramadan fast 2 to 3 minutes later.
Key facts
- One man owns 22 flats
- Not found in any named news source
- Someone owns the 100th floor
- Partly: Gulf News reported three residences on that floor offered to one buyer
- Sewage is trucked away
- No primary source; a resident blog and Wikipedia report the city sewer (low to medium confidence)
- Samsung built it
- True: Samsung C&T led the joint venture
- It sways
- Reported to move a little; no official figure published
- Later iftar on high floors
- True: 2 to 3 minutes above floor 80 under the ruling; other sources differ
What is the verdict on each story?
| Story | Verdict | What the sources say |
|---|---|---|
| One Indian businessman owns 22 flats | Not found | We found no named news outlet that reports it. |
| One person owns the whole 100th floor | Partly reported | Gulf News (about 2010): Dr B.R. Shetty was offered three residences on the 100th floor. A whole floor is not confirmed. |
| Sewage is taken away by trucks | No primary source | A forum thread reproduces a chain email from about 2009. A resident blog and Wikipedia say the tower is on the city sewer, but no Emaar or Dubai Municipality statement was found. Low to medium confidence. |
| There is no 13th floor | Not confirmed | No official source covers floor numbering around 13. |
| The tower sways | Reported, a little | No official figure. Figures of 1.5 m to 2 m appear only in secondary sources. |
| Samsung built it | True | Samsung C&T was the main contractor, with Besix and Arabtec (Gulf News, 2004). |
| Light shows are loud inside | No evidence | A 71st floor resident described New Year fireworks as small flutters (Gulf News). Emaar says the lasers are eye-safe. |
| High floors have a later sunset in Ramadan | True | Dubai Islamic Affairs ruling: 2 minutes later on floors 80 to 150, 3 minutes on 151 to 160. A 2021 Gulf News table gave 4 minutes from floor 121, so exact minutes vary by source. |
Why do these stories spread?
Owners in the tower are private, Emaar does not name buyers, and the official site does not answer most of these questions. That leaves room for guesses. We publish a claim only when a named source supports it, and say so when we cannot find one. See our editorial policy.
Is Burj Khalifa safe in a fire?
The tower has pressurized, air-conditioned refuge areas built into its mechanical levels and lifts that can be used to evacuate, according to a Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat paper and the official site. Sources disagree on how many refuge floors there are, so we do not give a count. See Burj Khalifa lifts and speed.
Common questions
Does one person own 22 apartments in Burj Khalifa?
We found no named news source for this claim. Owner names are private and Emaar does not publish them.
Is it true that Burj Khalifa has no sewer?
We found no primary source either way. A forum thread reproduces a chain email from about 2009, and a resident blog and Wikipedia say the tower is on the city sewer.
Sources
- Gulf News, "Samsung is main contractor to build Burj Dubai", 9 December 2004
- Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, "Burj Dubai: Life Safety and Crisis Response Planning Enhancements"
- Burj Khalifa official site, structures page, read on 8 October 2026
- Wikipedia, "Burj Khalifa" (secondary source, used where no primary figure was found), read on 8 October 2026
- Gulf News, "Address extraordinaire", Property Monthly (about 2010; page updated 16 September 2018)
- Gulf News, "How Burj Khalifa residents will watch the fireworks" (about New Year 2013)
- Emaar Properties press release on the Burj Khalifa laser and light show, read on 9 October 2026
- Gulf News (WAM), "Burj Khalifa residents told to fast longer during Ramadan" (page updated 8 November 2018)
- Gulf News, "Burj Khalifa vs Jebel Jais: which UAE residents are fasting for longer hours", April 2021
- AnandTech forums, thread reproducing the "no city sewer" chain email (about 2009)
- Danni in the Desert (resident blog), "Burj Khalifa sewage system", read 9 October 2026
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