Bronze medal for Burj Khalifa in skyscraper race to the clouds

DUBAI // The Burj Khalifa has been ranked third in an international list of skyscrapers with the fastest lifts.

The elevators in the world's tallest building race up and down at a maximum speed of 36km/h. However the Burj Khalifa has the world's fastest double-decker elevators, and these are able to travel the longest distance currently possible in a lift - 504 metres. They whisk passengers up to the world's highest lift stop, which is 638m high.

The fastest elevators, according to building data firm Emporis, which compiled the list, are in Taiwan's Taipei 101 tower and have a top speed of 60.6km/h. Most of the towers with the fastest lifts are located in Asia.

World's quickest elevators

1. Taipei 101, Taiwan  60.6 kph

2. Yokohama Landmark Tower, Yokohama, Japan 45 kph

3. Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE 36 kph

3. Sunshine 60 Building, Tokyo, Japan 36kph

3. Shanghai World Financial Center, Shanghai, China 36 kph

3. China World Trade Center Tower III, Beijing, China 36 kph

4. John Hancock Center, Chicago, USA 33 kph

5. Jin Mao Tower, Shanghai, China 32.8kph

csimpson@thenational.ae