That’s it: the world’s tallest tower in spare-no-expense Dubai, measuring at 2,684 feet and set to open Monday blanketed in tight security (including sharpshooters!). From AP:

“The building boasts the most stories and highest occupied floor of any building in the world, and ranks as the world’s tallest structure, beating out a television mast in North Dakota. Its observation deck — on floor 124 — also sets a record.

‘We weren’t sure how high we could go,’ said Bill Baker, the building’s structural engineer, who is in Dubai for the inauguration. ‘It was kind of an exploration. … A learning experience.’”

Sounds like the Winchester Mystery House of skyscrapers.

The previous record holder, the Taipei 101 in Taiwan, rises 1,667 feet.

(Photo by David Cannon/Getty Images)