Emaar Properties is the owner and developer of Burj Khalifa. It is a publicly listed company, so its shares are held by multiple shareholders.
Mohamed Alabbar is the Emaar’s founder and chairman, but he does not personally own the entire building. Individual buyers can also own specific residential units inside Burj Khalifa.
For tourists, families, property buyers, and people curious about the tower, the ownership can seem confusing because Emaar, Mohamed Alabbar, Dubai Holding, the Dubai Government, and private property owners have different connections to it.
The easiest way to understand it is to separate the tower’s ownership from Emaar’s shareholders and individual property ownership.
Does Emaar Properties Own Burj Khalifa?
Yes. Emaar Properties is identified as the owner and developer of Burj Khalifa. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat lists Emaar Properties as the owner and developer, while Emaar identifies the tower as one of its major developments.
Emaar developed the tower as the centrepiece of Downtown Dubai. The company also has a wider business connection with the development through its property, hospitality, retail, and entertainment activities.
Is Mohamed Alabbar The Owner of Burj Khalifa?
No. Mohamed Alabbar does not personally own Burj Khalifa.
Alabbar founded Emaar Properties and is its chairman. Emaar developed Burj Khalifa, which is why Alabbar is closely associated with the tower. However, Emaar is a publicly listed company with multiple shareholders.
So, the distinction is simple, Mohamed Alabbar founded Emaar, while Emaar Properties developed and owns Burj Khalifa. His role as founder and chairman does not make the tower his personal property.
Who Is The Largest Shareholder of Emaar in 2026?
Dubai Holding is Emaar Properties’ largest shareholder in 2026, with about 29.73% of the company’s shares.
On May 11, 2026, Investment Corporation of Dubai transferred its 22.27% stake in Emaar to Emirates Power Investment LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Dubai Holding. This increased Dubai Holding’s total Emaar stake to approximately 29.73%.
Does Dubai Holding Own Burj Khalifa?
No. Dubai Holding does not directly own 29.73% of Burj Khalifa. Its approximately 29.73% stake is in Emaar Properties.
Dubai Holding became Emaar’s largest shareholder in 2026, but its stake in Emaar does not represent ownership of a specific 29.73% share of Burj Khalifa.
Who Owns the Hotel, Apartments, Offices and Other Parts of Burj Khalifa?
Individual residential units in Burj Khalifa can have private owners, while other spaces have their own property or operating arrangements.
Burj Khalifa includes apartments, Armani Hotel, offices, restaurants, observation areas, and other spaces.
Buying an apartment gives the buyer ownership of that specific unit. The available official information does not identify a separate owner for every hotel, office, restaurant, or attraction.
Burj Khalifa Owner vs Developer vs Builder
The terms owner, developer, founder, architect, project manager, and builder describe different roles. Mixing them together can give readers the wrong answer.
| Role | Person or company |
|---|---|
| Owner and developer | Emaar Properties |
| Founder of Emaar | Mohamed Alabbar |
| Architect and engineer | Skidmore, Owings & Merrill |
| Designer | Adrian Smith |
| Project Manager | Turner International LLC |
| Main contractors | Samsung C&T Corporation, Arabtec and BESIX |
So, Emaar is the owner and developer, Alabbar is Emaar’s founder, and the contractors built the tower.
Conclusion
Burj Khalifa’s ownership can seem confusing because the tower, Emaar’s shares, and individual properties inside the building involve different ownership levels.
The simplest answer is that Emaar Properties is identified as the owner and developer, while private buyers can own individual residential units.
This distinction helps avoid confusing Emaar’s shareholders or property owners with the direct ownership of the entire tower.
