Top 13 Most Expensive Buildings in the World

Located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Masjid Al-Haram is one of the oldest and largest mosques ever built in history. It's also known as the Grand Mosque and the Great Mosque. Every year, thousands of Muslims gather at Masjid Al-Haram to perform prayers (Salah) and conduct Tawaf during the Hajj and Umrah pilgrimage rituals. Masjid Al-Haram is the site of numerous pilgrimage rituals, featuring a rectangular central courtyard surrounded by covered prayer areas in the holy city of Makkah. The current Masjid Al-Haram spans an area of 400,800 square meters, capable of accommodating about 4 million Muslim worshippers during Hajj or Umrah.

Masjid Al-Haram was initially built during the reign of Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab (634-644). Since then, Masjid Al-Haram has undergone several renovations and expansions. The present structure of Masjid Al-Haram dates back to 1571 AD, during the reign of Ottoman Sultan Selim II. Later, in the early 1950s, King Abdul Aziz Saud planned an expansion of Masjid Al-Haram to increase its capacity. Today, the structure we see has been renovated by King Salman, who expanded the northern area and added air conditioning to enclosed areas.

Marina Bay Sands is a comprehensive resort owned by the Las Vegas Sands corporation. Opening in 2010, it was advertised as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at $5.87 billion. Marina Bay Sands comprises a hotel, a casino, a shopping center, a convention center, a theater, a museum, and two floating pavilions. Spanning 15.5 hectares, it features three towers and a 340-meter-long SkyPark on top. A fourth tower with 1,000 additional hotel rooms is planned for 2026. The rooftop infinity pool is one of its most iconic features, offering stunning views of Singapore's skyline. The observation deck SkyPark on the 56th floor is another popular vantage point.

The Marina Bay Sands resort spans 20 hectares and was designed by architect Moshe Safdie. It includes a 2,561-room hotel, a 120,000-square-meter convention-exhibition center, The Shoppes spanning 74,000 square meters at Marina Bay Sands Shopping Center, a museum, two large theaters, two floating Crystal pavilions, restaurants featuring renowned chefs, an art science exhibition, and the world's largest casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines. Marina Bay Sands is a fantastic destination for entertainment, business, and shopping, providing once-in-a-lifetime experiences. With sloping towers (inclined at up to 26 degrees) and connecting legs at Level 23 to form a single building, the resort is one of the most complex facilities ever built.

Abraj Al-Bait is a complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. These towers gain significance due to their unique location, as they sit a few kilometers away from the Masjid al-Haram and loom over it. It's hard to miss the Abraj Al Bait Towers if you're nearby, as they seem to touch the sky and can be seen from afar. The tallest tower in the complex, the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, is the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia and the fifth tallest free-standing structure in the world. The tallest tower in the complex is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower.

The Makkah Tower also houses the world's largest clock. The construction of this building is overseen by the Saudi Arabian government. It's designed to accommodate the large number of pilgrims visiting Mecca each year for Hajj. Many of these pilgrims choose to stay in the Makkah Tower, where they have a breathtaking view of the Masjid al-Haram with all the worshippers circling the Kaaba. The complex includes hotels, restaurants, a museum, residential apartments, a shopping center, and a prayer area that can accommodate thousands of worshippers. There's a five-story shopping center called the Abraj Al Bait Mall located within the complex along with a parking garage that can hold over a thousand cars.

Apple Park is the second campus of the company built in Cupertino, California and is one of the last products introduced by former CEO Steve Jobs. The massive ring-shaped building is now an iconic symbol of Apple's commitment to design, green energy, and the future of technology. The new campus is surrounded by grass and trees, has a fruit orchard at the center of the ring, and incorporates energy and design innovations throughout. Apple Park is a beacon of creativity and unity aimed at driving Apple forward into the future. The construction cost of Apple Park is estimated at around $5 billion USD and houses over 12,000 employees.

Apple Park takes the shape of a large flying saucer, with Apple calling the main campus building The Ring. This massive building features 800 round glass panels standing 45 feet tall, connecting all sides around the four-story structure. Some of these panels function as large sliding doors, allowing the interior to connect with the outside when the weather is nice. The ring uses a base isolation system to protect against earthquakes. The isolation system consists of 692 large steel discs buried two stories underground. This system is a modified version from Japan and will protect the campus from all but the most severe earthquakes. The interior of the Ring features large rooms with glass walls and entrances, including open spaces that can be subdivided into smaller sections as needed. The ring is divided into eight identical segments and is surrounded by a wide walkway about 3/4 of a mile long.

SoFi Stadium is a sports stadium and entertainment complex currently home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Located in Inglewood, California, the stadium seats 70,000 fans. Designed by HKS Architects, SoFi Stadium is at the center of direct-to-work-play development, situated on the site of the former Hollywood Park Racetrack and the Los Angeles Forum. The stadium's translucent roof, seating bowl, seats, and landscape are sculpted and designed to evoke an outdoor venue while providing the versatility of a traditional domed stadium.

SoFi Stadium is the first indoor-outdoor stadium and the largest NFL stadium at 288,500 square meters. It features a retractable roof and a sliding glass door for outdoor experience. Under the same roof, there's also an art performance venue with seating for 6,000, to be used for concerts and other events. In addition to sports and entertainment facilities, SoFi Stadium also features the Kinsey African American Art & History Collection. With countless amenities and state-of-the-art design, SoFi Stadium truly stands as a one-of-a-kind facility.

Wynn Macau, owned and operated by Wynn Macau, Limited, opened to the public on September 6, 2006, at the center of the Macau Peninsula. This Wynn resort is situated on reclaimed land in Cotai, Macau. With a staggering construction cost of $4.2 billion, Wynn Palace was completed in 2016. In December 2007, Wynn Macau completed an expansion, adding gaming space and additional dining and retail amenities. In 2008, Wynn Macau was the only hotel in Macau and one of five hotels in Asia to receive the Mobil Five-Star award.

The luxurious Wynn Macau casino and resort boasts one of the largest art collections in Macau, with numerous floral sculptures displayed throughout. Currently, there are 1,706 lavish guest rooms, the Wynn Palace Esplanade shopping center, and a Performance Lake with state-of-the-art sound and light systems. Wynn is currently expanding to include a new 650-room hotel, gardens, dining areas, and a theater. In February 2015, Wynn Macau became the only resort in the world with 7 Forbes Five-Star Awards, earning Five Stars for its hotels, spa, and three restaurants. Opening on August 22, 2016, Wynn Palace is the second luxurious integrated resort by Wynn Resorts in Macau.

Resorts World Sentosa, also known as RWS, is one of Asia's premier integrated resorts located on Sentosa Island. As a lifestyle destination for Singaporeans, it is known as the third most expensive building. The resort comprises two casinos, Adventure Cove Waterpark, Universal Studios, Dolphin Island, the SEA Aquarium (known as the world's second largest aquarium), a world-renowned spa, and the Maritime Experiential Museum. Completed in 2010, it cost $4.93 billion.

Situated on Sentosa Island off the southern coast of Singapore, the integrated resort Resorts World Sentosa includes six hotels with 1,800 rooms. It is owned by Genting Singapore. Awarded as the 'Best Integrated Resort,' Resorts World Sentosa also offers world-class dining, entertainment experiences such as concerts, public programs, convention center, and six luxury hotels. Genting Singapore owns Resorts World Sentosa and is also known for hosting some large-scale exhibitions. Resorts World Sentosa is one of Singapore's largest employers, with approximately 15,000 employees. Sentosa Island attracts over 18 million visitors annually.

One of the most intriguing destinations when visiting tourist spots in Bucharest is the Parliament Palace, also known as the People's Palace. No matter how many palaces you've visited in your lifetime, this grand mansion will impress you with its scale and architectural style. In fact, most architects blame this palace for not having one but several architectural styles all in one. Authorized by the Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, the People's Palace was completed in 1997. Covering over 3.9 million square feet, it's 70% empty. The palace houses many government offices as well as the Romanian Parliament. It's also a tourist attraction, with visitors able to access 5% of the giant building.

The People's Palace is this Bucharest monolithic architectural work, the world's most expensive administrative building. With electricity, heating, and lighting costs exceeding $6 million per year, under Ceausescu's regime, in fact, this building is a symbol of the old communist era, a lavishness if you want to put it that way. Thanks to solid wood furnishings, crystal chandeliers, impressive sizes, giant marble columns, and carefully selected interior design elements for each room, this palace is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Bucharest.

Located in the heart of Las Vegas, The Cosmopolitan Resort Casino Las Vegas sits between CityCenter and Bellagio and faces Planet Hollywood and Paris Las Vegas. The Cosmopolitan hotel with its many towering structures, The Cosmopolitan Hotel or simply 'Cosmo' as locals often refer to, is a blend of the luxury of a five-star resort with the unique charm of a boutique hotel. Boasting a casino, theater, nightclubs, spa, and three pools, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas sits on the Las Vegas Strip. It features 3,027 spacious rooms across two glass skyscrapers.

The construction cost of the luxurious Cosmopolitan hotel exceeded $4 billion and was completed in 2010. The Chandelier Bar houses over 2 million glass beads. With stunning views of the Strip as well as mountains and desert landscapes, The Cosmopolitan is designed to offer a truly unique atmosphere. This new 2,995-room resort features oversized residential-style living spaces with expansive private terraces, like no other, where you can gaze out at the Bellagio fountain, Planet Hollywood Resort, or CityCenter. Thanks to its prime location and impressive amenities, the Cosmopolitan has been ranked as one of the best hotels in Las Vegas and remains a popular choice for both tourists and business travelers.

Lotte World Tower is a supertall skyscraper in Seoul, South Korea. The tower is dubbed as the tallest building in South Korea. Below are the facts about Lotte World Tower and some related information. Lotte World Tower stands at 555 meters tall, the tower has no spire, but the topmost part consists of a parapet, the highest floor reaching 497 meters. At 555 meters tall, Lotte World Tower is the tallest building in the Korean Peninsula, a title previously held by the Ryugyong Hotel in North Korea before 2017. Lotte World Tower is designed by the American architectural firm Kohn Pedersen Fox, which also designed several other tallest skyscrapers in the world, including the Shanghai World Financial Center, the Ping An Finance Center in Shenzhen, ...

Like many other skyscrapers around the world, the Lotte World Tower is a mixed-use building, it houses multiple spaces for various functions, including retail stores, offices, luxury hotels, observation deck, and an 'officetel'. The offices occupy from floors 14 to 37. Officetel is a combination of office and hotel, commonly found in South Korea, providing accommodation for those working in the building and offering services usually found only in hotels, such as furnishings, concierge services, and gym facilities. Officetel occupies floors 42 to 71 of the tower. The hotel within the tower is South Korea's newest luxury hotel, operated by Signiel Seoul, occupying floors 76 to 101.

One World Trade Center, the iconic skyscraper under construction at Ground Zero in New York, has surged to over $3.8 billion, making it the world's newest most expensive office tower. One World Trade Center is the main building in the World Trade Center complex today. Also known as the Freedom Tower, One World Trade Center stands at 1,776 feet and is the tallest building in North America.

One World Trade Center is located in Lower Manhattan, surrounded by West Street, Fulton Street, and Vesey Street in the Financial District. If you're gazing at the Manhattan skyline from the New York Harbor, One World Trade Center, just blocks away from Wall Street, is one of the first attractions to catch your eye. At One World Trade Center, tourists as well as locals can purchase tickets to view NYC from the observation deck on floors 100 to 102 of the tallest building in the United States.

One World Trade Center is home to offices, headquarters, and workspaces of many businesses, including the public media company Condé Nast, publisher of Vogue, Vanity Fair, and other leading magazines; the United States General Services Administration; and television channels like WCBS and WNBC. In the building's underground levels, visitors can shop until they descend into the Westfield World Trade Center, the largest shopping center in Manhattan. On the tower's upper floors, gift shops, eateries, and observation decks make visiting One World Trade Center even more spectacular.

Burj Khalifa stands tall as a mega skyscraper in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, known for its title as the world's tallest skyscraper to date. Not only is Burj Khalifa the tallest building globally, but it also breaks two other impressive records: the tallest structure, previously held by the KVLY-TV mast in Blanchard, North Dakota, and the tallest free-standing structure, previously held by the CN Tower in Toronto. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) based in Chicago established 3 criteria to determine what makes a tall building.

The Burj Khalifa skyscraper is Dubai's foremost tourist attraction, boasting observation decks near the top where visitors can ascend and enjoy the cityscape from above. Burj Khalifa, literally meaning Khalifa Tower, formerly known as Burj Dubai or Dubai Tower, was renamed Burj Khalifa when the tower officially opened on January 4, 2010. Burj Khalifa is situated 2.1 km from the coastline, so the natural scenery around the tower, such as Dubai Marina, is not as appealing. However, there are plenty of artificial lakes, ponds, and rivers surrounding the tower, compensating for the lack of natural beauty to some extent. Burj Khalifa is currently one of the world's 13 most expensive buildings at 1.5 billion USD.

Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi is where luxury amenities, impeccable service, and unique culinary experiences converge in a mesmerizing setting. From afar, the hotel resembles something out of an Arabian fairy tale, with just the main building stretching over a kilometer from end to end and sprawling gardens over 100 hectares. Stepping in, you'll feel a profound sense of relaxation permeating throughout. With its pristine 1.3km private beach, stunning pools, private marina, and natural bay, beautiful spa, and top-rated dining spots, you can't miss a stay here.

Emirates Palace stands as one of the most notable buildings in Abu Dhabi when it comes to architecture. Designed by British architect John Elliott along with Reza Rahmanian, the hotel's overall design is a beautiful depiction of Islamic architecture, from proportions, rhythms, geometry, and balance. It features over 114 impressive domes evenly distributed across the building in geometric patterns, offering a striking view from the sky. The color of the building is also noteworthy, reflecting different shades of desert sand like in the Arabian desert. Most of the suites at Emirates Palace are adorned with gold and marble, with the main residences crafted from marble floors. Overall, the hotel provides a floor area totaling 850,000m², a colossal budget that has resulted in quality. The west and east wings are accommodation wings, intricately decorated in captivating traditional styles.