Apple Park To Abraj Al Bait, Inside The World's Costliest Architectural Marvels

News18

12-05-2025

Last Updated:
Here's a look at the top 10 most expensive buildings in the world and surprisingly, Dubai's most iconic Burj Khalifa is not in the list.
The Jeddah Tower in Saudi Arabia, currently under construction, is set to claim the title of the world's tallest skyscraper and one of the most expensive complexes. Buildings like these are not just structures, they're a visual marvel. From shopping malls and office buildings to stadiums and luxury hotels, the most impressive structures around the globe are designed to leave a strong impact. However, building such grand structures comes with a hefty price tag. The cost of these projects depends on several factors, including land prices, local labour and the building's purpose. In this article, we look at the top 10 most expensive buildings in the world and surprisingly, Dubai's most iconic Burj Khalifa is not on the list.
Hudson Yards in New York City – Built in phases since 2020, the project covers a huge area on Manhattan's West Side and includes offices, luxury homes, a modern arts centre, a fancy shopping mall and a total of 16 buildings. Back in 2015, the builders managed to get $5 billion in funding just for one tower, 30 Hudson Yards and the overall cost went up to $25 billion. After it was fully built, it has 4000 apartments and enough space to accommodate around 55,000 workers.
The Abraj Al Bait in Mecca – The structure was built by the Saudi government, with the sole purpose of welcoming pilgrims who visit the city every year. This massive complex has seven skyscrapers and its total cost is around $15 billion. The main attraction of the complex is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, which stands at 1972 feet and has a crescent-shaped spire at the top. Inside the tower, there is a luxury hotel that offers beautiful views of the Masjid al-Haram, the biggest mosque in the world and the holiest place in Islam. Visitors can explore an astronomy centre and an observation deck. One of the most eye-catching features is the giant clock, which lights up with 21,000 green and white LEDs.
SoFi Stadium in California – It's a massive project that costs around $5 billion, covering 3.1 million square feet and has a seating capacity of over 70,000 people. The idea for this grand stadium came from Rams owner Stan Kroenke, but it was not easy to make, as the project faced many delays because of bad weather, Covid pandemic and the loss of two workers. It took over four years to complete. One of the stadium's special features is its curved roof, allowing fresh air inside while still looking very modern.
Apple Park in Cupertino – This unique building has been referred to as a spaceship or a glass doughnut because of its round design. It is Apple's main headquarters and is known for its impressive and eco-friendly architecture. When planning started, the budget was about $3 billion, but it exceeded $5 billion because of special features like the curved glass used on the outside and the focus on using green energy. The building has an area of 2.8 million square feet and it can hold around 12,000 employees.
The Palace of the Parliament in Romania – It was ordered to be built by former leader Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1984. To build this massive palace, nearly 20% of Bucharest was demolished, forcing around 40,000 people to leave their homes. More than 700 architects and 20,000 workers worked day and night to bring Ceaușescu's vision to life. The building is filled with expensive materials like marble, crystal chandeliers and gold decorated ceilings. It is so large that it was built along a wide boulevard, which was intentionally made wider than Paris's famous Champs-Élysées.
The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas – This 50-storey tower offer something different from the usual bright and flashy vibe of the Strip. The developers wanted it to feel more stylish, which is why they added many fancy features that made the building very expensive which is $3.9 billion. One special thing about it is that it has windows, which is rare for Vegas casinos, as it allows visitors to see outside and know whether it's day or night. One of the most interesting parts of the hotel is the Chandelier Bar, a beautiful three level space decorated with 2 million sparkling crystals.
World Trade Centre in New York City – The complex was built after long discussions on how to properly honour the Twin Towers that were destroyed during the 9/11 attacks. The new building, which cost around $3.8 billion, was finally completed and opened in 2014. Its height, 1776 feet, was chosen to represent the year the United States became independent. When it was finished, it became the tallest building in the country, designed by architect David Childs. Visitors can go up to the sky lobby to see amazing views of the city and enjoy different activities inside the building.
Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi – It was built as a lavish hotel for tourists rather than a palace for the royal family. The hotel covered over 2 million square feet, which has only 394 rooms, including luxurious suites and cost $3 billion to build. Inside, the ceilings are decorated with gold leaf, which needs to be replaced regularly, while sparkling Swarovski crystal chandeliers add to its luxurious feel. The hotel has hosted famous figures and was also featured in The Fast and the Furious 7.
Wynn Resorts in Las Vegas – After the success of the Bellagio, Steve Wynn decided to build his casino in Las Vegas, which is now named after him. The complex is a beautiful, curved building that cost $2.7 billion to construct. It has over 2700 rooms and more than 1800 slot machines, plus a Michelin-starred restaurant. Roger Thomas created a dreamy atmosphere with colourful carpets and hanging parasols. One special touch at the Wynn is its signature scents, which were created by the owner himself to make guests feel certain emotions.
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