The Burj Khalifa dominates the skyline in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The building is 828 metres tall and has more than 160 storeys, the most of any building in the world. (Kamran Jebreili/Associated Press)

The observation deck of the world's tallest tower in Dubai has unexpectedly shut down, a little more than a month after it opened to international fanfare.

Emaar Properties, the owner of the 828-metre-high Burj Khalifa blamed the Sunday closure on "unexpected high traffic" but then said electrical issues were also a factor.

"Technical issues with the power supply are being worked on by the main [builders] and subcontractors, and the public will be informed upon completion," the company said.

Thousands of visitors have taken the elevator ride to the 124th floor observation deck since it opened on Jan. 4, but the ability to book in advance has meant that tourists looking to make a spontaneous visit to the tower have struggled to find tickets.

The tower, which is about 250 metres higher than Toronto's CN Tower and has more than 160 storeys, cost about $1.5 billion US to build.

Apartments in the building sold for $1,900 US per square foot at their peak, but prices have fallen by half in the wake of the financial woes that hit Dubai.

The first of some 12,000 residential tenants and office workers are supposed to move in this month.

With files from the Associated Press