Who lives in Burj Khalifa?
Burj Khalifa apartments belong to private owners, and Emaar says it cannot name them. News reports name a few owners, and Gulf News reported Indian buyers as the largest group in 2012. In our sample of sales with a known unit, 13 percent to 19 percent of apartments were rented to tenants when sold.
Key facts
- Homes
- About 900 apartments including 144 Armani Residences (The National, 2010); SOM lists 577 condominium units
- Owner names
- Not published; Emaar says it is barred by contract from naming buyers (Gulf News, 2010)
- Largest buyer group, first half of 2012
- Indian buyers, then Iranian, British, UAE and Pakistani (Gulf News)
- Rented when sold
- 13 percent to 19 percent by floor band, in our sample
- Occupancy today
- No published figure found
Which famous people own apartments in Burj Khalifa?
Owners are private and Emaar does not publish them. Gulf News reported around 2010 that businessman Dr B.R. Shetty was offered three residences on the 100th floor and planned to live in one. It also reported that Bashir Hiridjee owned an Armani Residence and a corporate suite on the 114th floor. We found no current confirmation of either holding. Stories of one person owning 22 flats are on the myths and facts page.
Which nationalities buy in Burj Khalifa?
Gulf News reported that in the first half of 2012, Indian buyers bought the most apartments and offices in the tower, followed by Iranian, British, UAE and Pakistani buyers. We found no newer breakdown by nationality. Buying rules for foreign buyers are on the buying guides.
How many Burj Khalifa apartments are rented out?
| Floors | Sales with a known unit | Rented when sold |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to 19 | 127 | 15 percent |
| 20 to 39 | 246 | 19 percent |
| 40 to 59 | 205 | 19 percent |
| 60 to 79 | 135 | 16 percent |
| 80 to 99 | 125 | 14 percent |
| 100+ | 45 | 13 percent |
From the sample of units whose floor is known. A unit can sell more than once.
Most units sold in our sample were empty or owner-used at the time of sale. That does not tell us how many people live in the tower today. In 2011 The National reported occupancy estimates of 25 to 75 percent a year after opening, which Emaar declined to confirm. No current figure is published.
Common questions
How many people live in Burj Khalifa?
No current figure is published. At opening, Gulf News reported an expected population of about 12,000. In 2011 The National reported occupancy estimates of 25 to 75 percent, which Emaar did not confirm.
Can I find out who owns a Burj Khalifa apartment?
No. Owner names are private, and Emaar says it is barred by contract from revealing buyers.
Sources
- Sales count used: 2,183 registered apartment sales since 2009. The Land Department lists 3,605 Burj Khalifa transactions once mortgages and gifts are included; those have no sale price, so they are left out.
- Floor figures use the 883 sales whose unit, and so whose floor, is known. Those sales come from a sample of 562 units that traded in the last 10 years, not the whole tower. One unit can sell more than once, so there are more sales than units.
- Dubai Land Department transaction data (via Dubai Pulse, downloaded 6 October 2026), analyzed by Mr Burj Khalifa. How we use it: methodology.
- The National, "Burj residences set to open", 24 February 2010
- Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Burj Khalifa project 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, "Burj Khalifa: building on the anticipation of occupants", Property Monthly (page dated 1 February 2010)
- Gulf News, "Address extraordinaire", Property Monthly (about 2010; page updated 16 September 2018)
- Gulf News, "Armani Residences offer the high life" (about 2010 to 2012; page updated 15 September 2018)
- Gulf News, "Iranians among top buyers in Burj Khalifa" (covers the first half of 2012)
- The National, "Burj Khalifa celebrates its first birthday", 4 January 2011
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