Top 10 most expensive buildings in the world

Source: Business Insider

Hudson Yards, New York City – $25 billion

Hudson Yards, New York City (New York Times)

Completed in phases since 2020, Hudson Yards is the most expensive private real estate development in US history — and possibly the world. Spanning Manhattan’s West Side, this ambitious project is more than just a cluster of highrises. It includes office buildings, luxury residences, a state-of-the-art arts centre, a high-end shopping mall, and 16 buildings in total.

By 2015, the developers had already secured $5 billion in financing for just one tower, 30 Hudson Yards, signalling the scale of ambition behind the project. Once completed, Hudson Yards is expected to offer 4,000 apartments and accommodate around 55,000 workers, according to The New York Times.

What truly sets it apart — aside from the sky-high cost — is its complexity. Much like the iconic Rockefeller Center of the past century, Hudson Yards redefined urban development. A large part of its budget went into engineering a massive platform over active rail yards, a logistical feat that added to both the challenge and the bill.

Abraj Al Bait, Mecca, Saudi Arabia – $15 billion

Abraj Al Bait, Mecca, Saudi Arabia (Freepik)

Built by the Saudi government to accommodate the millions of pilgrims visiting Mecca each year, the Abraj Al Bait complex is a cluster of seven towering skyscrapers with a collective price tag of around $15 billion, according to Sotheby’s. The centrepiece of the complex is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower, which soars to 1,972 ft, crowned by a crescent-topped spire.

The tower houses a 1,650-room luxury hotel with sweeping views of the Masjid al-Haram — the world’s largest mosque and Islam’s holiest site. At the top, visitors will find an astronomy centre and observation deck, as noted by the Skyscraper Museum.

Perhaps most striking is the massive clock face, the largest in the world, which lights up with 21,000 green and white LED lights during daily prayers, casting a symbolic glow over the holy city as per Architectural Digest.

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore – $5.5 billion

Marina Bay Sands, Singapore (Wikipedia)

Designed by renowned architect Moshe Safdie, Marina Bay Sands is one of the most iconic — and expensive — structures in the world. Completed in 2010 at a staggering cost of $5.5 billion, this integrated resort redefined the Singapore skyline with its three 55-storey towers topped by a stunning skyway 653 ft above ground.

More than just a hotel, it’s a self-contained universe. Inside, you’ll find a museum, a massive casino, a convention centre, an indoor skating rink, and over 270 shops and restaurants. Atop the towers, the 57th floor houses a jaw-dropping 450-ft-long infinity pool offering panoramic views of the city.

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California – $5 billion

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

Home to both the LA Rams and Chargers, SoFi Stadium stands as a $5 billion marvel of modern engineering and design. Spanning over 3.1 million square feet with a seating capacity of more than 70,000, this state-of-the-art venue was the brainchild of Rams owner Stan Kroenke.

Despite its grandeur, the stadium’s construction wasn’t smooth sailing. According to The Los Angeles Times, the project faced significant delays due to bad weather, Covid disruptions, and tragically, the loss of two construction workers. Originally planned for quicker completion, it ultimately took four years to bring this architectural behemoth to life.

One of its standout features is a massive double-sided videoboard that stretches 70,000 sq ft and weighs a staggering 2.2 million pounds (USA Today, 2020). The stadium’s curved roof — partially transparent and open at the sides — allows natural airflow while maintaining a futuristic aesthetic.

Beyond football, SoFi Stadium serves as a cultural hub. It includes a 6,000-seat performing arts venue and even houses parts of the Kinsey African American Art & History Collection, making it a destination that blends sport, entertainment, and heritage.

Apple Park, Cupertino, California – $5 billion

Apple Park, California (Getty)

Often described as a “spaceship” or a “glass donut,” Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino stands out as an architectural marvel. In 2013, Bloomberg Businessweek reported that the project’s budget ballooned from an initial estimate of $3 billion to a staggering $5 billion, largely due to its eco-friendly design and the miles of curved glass that make up its exterior. The “net-zero energy” building spans 2.8 million sq ft across four floors, with the capacity to accommodate 12,000 employees.

Additionally, four miles of walking trails weave throughout the property, while drought-tolerant trees line the area, offering a serene view for workers.

Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, Romania – $4.3 billion

Palace of the Parliament, Bucharest, Romania (Wikipedia)

A symbol of extravagance and excess, Romania’s Palace of the Parliament isn’t just one of the most expensive buildings ever constructed — it’s also one of the heaviest. Commissioned by former communist dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu in 1984, its construction came at a staggering human and financial cost. To make way for this colossal structure, nearly 20 per cent of Bucharest was demolished, displacing around 40,000 residents and wiping out entire neighbourhoods, according to The Guardian.

More than 700 architects and 20,000 workers laboured around the clock to bring Ceaușescu’s vision to life. The result? A monumental edifice adorned with marble, crystal chandeliers, and gold-leaf ceilings, stretching down a boulevard deliberately built wider than Paris’s famed Champs-Élysées.

Today it serves as the seat of the Romanian Parliament — though, as CNN reported in 2014, a whopping 70 per cent of its vast interior remains unused.

The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas – $3.9 billion

The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas (Wikipedia)

Standing tall with two 50-storey towers, The Cosmopolitan aimed to set itself apart from the neon-lit frenzy of the Las Vegas Strip by marketing itself as a more refined, sophisticated option. Developers sought to distinguish the property through extravagant features that drove up the cost — a hallmark of the fierce competition between casinos to outdo one another with high-end attractions.

Unlike many other Vegas casinos, The Cosmopolitan offers a rare element: windows, a feature that lets guests know the time of day, something other casinos often overlook. “I think people will enjoy knowing what time of day it is,” said the hotel’s CEO in a 2010 interview with The Los Angeles Times.

One of the most stunning highlights of the property is its Chandelier Bar, a three-storey marvel adorned with 2 million shimmering crystals, making it one of the most iconic spots on the Strip.

One World Trade Center, New York City – $3.8 billion

One World Trade Center, New York City (Unsplash)

The reconstruction of the World Trade Center complex sparked intense debate on how best to honour the memory of the Twin Towers lost in the 9/11 attacks. However, the ambitious project took shape, with the One World Trade Center officially opening in 2014. At 1,776 ft, the tower’s height is a powerful nod to the year the US declared its independence. At the time of its completion, it became the tallest building in the country. Designed by architect David Childs, its distinctive angular shape was meant to be as iconic as the Washington Monument, as Childs himself explained to Time magazine in 2014. Visitors can enjoy breathtaking views from the sky lobby or unwind with activities like table tennis or free yoga classes, as highlighted by The New York Times.

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi, UAE – $3 billion

Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi (Unsplash)

Designed as a luxurious destination for tourists rather than a royal residence, Emirates Palace spans over 2 million sq ft yet accommodates only 394 guest rooms, including a number of lavish suites. The hotel’s iconic domes crown the structure, and it offers guests access to a pristine private beach.

Inside, the opulence is undeniable — the ceilings are adorned with gold leaf, which requires regular replacement, according to CNN’s 2018 report. Swarovski crystal chandeliers add to the hotel’s grandeur.

Notable performers such as Coldplay, Rihanna, and Christina Aguilera have graced its halls, and the hotel also made an appearance in The Fast and the Furious 7.

Wynn Resort, Las Vegas – $2.7 billion

Wynn Resort, Las Vegas (Wikipedia)

After the success of the Bellagio, Steve Wynn decided to put his stamp on Las Vegas with a casino that bears his name. The striking, curved structure is home to over 2,700 rooms and boasts more than 1,800 slot machines, alongside a Michelin-star restaurant.

Interior designer Roger Thomas created a surrealist atmosphere with vibrant, patterned carpets and suspended parasols, enhancing the whimsical ambience. A signature feature of the Wynn experience is its exclusive “brandscents,” patented by Wynn himself, which were designed to evoke specific emotional responses from guests, as noted by The Strip.

Rather than the typical fountains, the resort features a serene, colour-changing lake that bubbles along to music every 30 minutes, adding to the immersive, sensory experience.