The Most Expensive Buildings Ever Constructed (2024)

As construction costs increase around the globe, we couldn’t help but wonder just how much it costs to build some of the world’s most expensive buildings. The team at Decorative Ceiling Tiles rounded up the 30 most expensive buildings in the world ever constructed, and once you feast your eyes on these incredible buildings, you’ll understand why they came with such a hefty price tag. These costly buildings have a wide variety of uses; some are office buildings or shopping malls, while others were built to be a sports stadium or hotel. Even a private residence made the list of the most expensive buildings ever constructed. Read on to see which buildings made our list and which was even found to have an unbelievable construction cost of $100 billion!

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What Is the World’s Most Expensive Building Ever Constructed?

The world’s most expensive building ever constructed is the Great Mosque of Mecca located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with a total construction cost of $100 billion. Due to inflation, this amount has been adjusted to $115.2 billion in 2022 dollars. The Great Mosque of Mecca is one of the oldest mosques in the world and was built over the course of centuries, starting in the year 638. It has undergone major renovations and expansions over time, the most recent of which was in 2020, and afterward, it officially held the title of the largest mosque in the world in addition to being the most expensive building in the world.

The 10 Most Expensive Buildings Ever Constructed

  1. The Great Mosque of Mecca: $100 billion ($115.2 billion in 2022 dollars)
  2. Abraj Al Bait: $15 billion ($19.5 billion in 2022 dollars)
  3. Marina Bay Sands: $5.7 billion ($7.79 billion in 2022 dollars)
  4. Resorts World Sentosa: $4.93 billion ($6.74 billion in 2022 dollars)
  5. SoFi Stadium: $5.5 billion ($6.33 billion in 2022 dollars)
  6. Apple Park: $5 billion ($6.08 billion in 2022 dollars)
  7. The Cosmopolitan: $3.9 billion ($5.33 billion in 2022 dollars)
  8. Wynn Palace: $4.2 billion ($5.22 billion in 2022 dollars)
  9. One World Trade Center: $3.8 billion ($4.93 billion in 2022 dollars)
  10. Palace of the Parliament: $2.5 billion ($4.64 billion in 2022 dollars)

What Is the World’s Most Expensive Hotel Ever Built?

The world’s most expensive hotel ever built is Abraj Al Bait, a complex of seven skyscraper hotels that is located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, and owned by the Saudi Arabian government. In addition to being the most expensive hotel in the world, it is also the sixth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The Abraj Al Bait is one of just a few of the most expensive hotels in the world ever built that does not include a casino, the addition of which will certainly inflate construction costs. So why did the Abraj Al Bait cost so much to build? The incredible height of the seven skyscrapers that make up the hotel added a lot to the overall construction costs, not to mention that one of the towers doubles as a clock tower and holds the largest clock faces in the world on each of its four sides.

What Is the World’s Most Expensive Stadium Ever Built?

The most expensive stadium ever constructed is SoFi Stadium in the Los Angeles suburb of Inglewood, California, which cost $5.5 billion to build in 2020. The stadium’s massive construction costs are $6.33 billion when adjusted for inflation. SoFi Stadium is one of just two football stadiums that is home to two teams: It is shared by the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers. So far, it is the most expensive NFL stadium ever built, but that’s sure to change with advances in sports technology. SoFi is the most expensive stadium in the world due to several factors, including the massive 2.2 million-pound Infinity screen that hangs in the center and the artificial turf below.

Two other stadiums made the list of the 30 most expensive buildings ever constructed: the new Yankee Stadium, which ranked 16th on the list with a construction cost of $3.19 billion, and Wembley Stadium, with a construction cost of $1.57 billion, which just barely made the list at number 28.

The Most Expensive Stadiums Ever Built

  1. SoFi Stadium: $5.5 billion ($6.33 billion in 2022 dollars)
  2. Yankee Stadium: $2.3 billion ($3.19 billion in 2022 dollars)
  3. Wembley Stadium: $1.09 billion ($1.57 billion in 2022 dollars)

What Is the World’s Most Expensive Home Ever Built?

The world’s most expensive home ever constructed is Antilia, a private residence in Mumbai, India, that cost $2 billion to build. Antilia is the home of billionaire Mukesh Ambani and his family, who moved into it in 2012 after construction on the home had been completed in 2010. The most expensive home in the world is made up of 27 stories and includes amenities like a ballroom and theater, helipads, high-speed elevators, a health center, and even a temple. But the most unique amenity in the home is undoubtedly the snow room, where artificial snow falls from the ceiling and walls.

Interested in making your home look more expensive without the big price tag? Adding decorative touches to your home, such as decorative ceiling tiles or faux wood beams, can have a high return on investment when it comes time to sell your home.

The 30 Most Expensive Buildings in the World

Ranking Building Location Year Completed Cost to Build
(USD, in Billions)
Inflation-Adjusted Cost in 2022
(USD, in Billions)
Building Use
1 The Great Mosque of Mecca Mecca, Saudi Arabia 2020 $100 $115.2 Mosque
2 Abraj Al Bait Mecca, Saudi Arabia 2012 $15 $19.5 Hotel
3 Marina Bay Sands Singapore 2010 $5.7 $7.79 Hotel and casino
4 Resorts World Sentosa Singapore 2010 $4.93 $6.74 Hotel and casino
5 SoFi Stadium Inglewood, California, United States 2020 $5.5 $6.33 Sports stadium
6 Apple Park Cupertino, California, United States 2017 $5 $6.08 Offices
7 The Cosmopolitan Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2010 $3.9 $5.33 Hotel and casino
8 Wynn Palace Cotai, Macau 2016 $4.2 $5.22 Hotel and casino
9 One World Trade Center New York City, New York, United States 2012 $3.8 $4.93 Offices
10 Palace of the Parliament Bucharest, Romania 1997 $2.5 $4.64 Government use
11 Emirates Palace Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 2005 $3 $4.58 Hotel
12 Wynn Resort Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2005 $2.7 $4.12 Hotel and casino
13 Lotte World Tower Seoul, South Korea 2016 $3.1 $3.85 Mixed-use
14 The Venetian Macau Macau, Macau 2005 $2.4 $3.66 Hotel and casino
15 City of Dreams Macau, Macau 2009 $2.4 $3.33 Hotel and casino
16 Yankee Stadium New York City, New York, United States 2009 $2.3 $3.19 Sports stadium
17 Royal Adelaide Hospital Adelaide, Australia 2017 $2.44 $2.97 Hospital
18 Petronas Twin Towers Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 1998 $1.6 $2.93 Offices
19 Bellagio Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 1998 $1.6 $2.93 Hotel and casino
20 Taipei 101 Taipei, Taiwan 2004 $1.8 $2.84 Mixed-use
21 Antilia Mumbai, India 2010 $2 $2.73 Private residence
22 The Palazzo Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2007 $1.8 $2.59 Hotel and casino
23 Crown Sydney Sydney, Australia 2020 $2.2 $2.53 Hotel and casino
24 Parliament House Canberra, Australia 1998 $0.86 $2.17 Government use
25 Lakhta Center Saint Petersburg, Russia 2018 $1.77 $2.1 Mixed-use
26 Burj Khalifa Dubai, United Arab Emirates 2010 $1.5 $2.05 Mixed-use
27 Seat of the European Central Bank Frankfurt, Germany 2014 $1.56 $1.96 Offices
28 Wembley Stadium London, United Kingdom 2007 $1.09 $1.57 Sports stadium
29 Jewel Changi Airport Singapore 2019 $1.25 $1.46 Mixed-use
30 Mall of Tripla Helsinki, Finland 2019 $1.23 $1.43 Shopping mall
The Most Expensive Buildings Ever Constructed (2024)

FAQs

The Most Expensive Buildings Ever Constructed? ›

What Is the World's Most Expensive Building Ever Constructed? The world's most expensive building ever constructed is the Great Mosque of Mecca located in Mecca, Saudi Arabia, with a total construction cost of $100 billion. Due to inflation, this amount has been adjusted to $115.2 billion in 2022 dollars.

What is the most expensive building ever constructed? ›

The most expensive building on the planet is the Great Mosque of Mecca, also known as Masjid al-Haram. Its construction began in the 7th century AD and has undergone numerous extensions over the centuries. It is estimated that it cost around $100 billion to build this 400,000 square metre megastructure in Saudi Arabia.

What is the most expensive thing ever built? ›

The most expensive man-made object ever created doesn't even reside on Earth. It's in space. The International Space Station ranks in the Guinness World Records as the most expensive thing ever created at $150 billion to develop and build. According to CNBC, the space station costs NASA $4 billion a year to operate.

What is the most expensive part of a building construction? ›

The Foundation

Building a foundation is often among the most costly items on this list. Home foundations are built underground and support the structure's weight. A strong foundation must: Assist in support of the above structure.

What is the most expensive construction material? ›

Question: What is the Most Expensive Material to Build a House With? Answer: Among the most expensive materials to build a house with are exotic hardwoods, imported marble, high-end appliances, and custom-designed fixtures, often chosen for luxury homes or specialized projects.

What building took 600 years to build? ›

This imposing Gothic masterpiece was completed in 1880; the construction itself began around 1248. In between lie more than 600 years of exciting construction history with many challenges, setbacks and a long break. Thus, the question “When was Cologne Cathedral built?” or “How old is it?” is not so easy to answer.

What is the most expensive project ever? ›

Interstate Highway System

At $459 billion, this American project connecting more than 47,000 miles of highway is still the most expensive construction project to date. Taking 35 years to complete, work began in 1955 under President Dwight D.

What's the most expensive thing in the whole world? ›

Summary table of the most expensive things in the world
NoItemPrice
1The International Space Station$150 billion
2Yacht History Supreme$4.8 billion
3Hubble Space Telescope$2.1 billion
4Antilia$2 billion
16 more rows
Jul 24, 2023

What is the most expensive dog? ›

As a result, prices for a purebred Tibetan Mastiff pup range from $2,000 to millions. Yes, millions! In 2014, a Chinese businessman parted with $1.95 million for a Tibetan Mastiff puppy, making the Tibetan Mastiff the most expensive dog in the world.

What building cost the most to make? ›

What Is the World's Most Expensive Building Ever Constructed?
  • The Great Mosque of Mecca: $100 billion ($115.2 billion in 2022 dollars)
  • Abraj Al Bait: $15 billion ($19.5 billion in 2022 dollars)
  • Marina Bay Sands: $5.7 billion ($7.79 billion in 2022 dollars)

What's the biggest cost in building a house? ›

Here's the main contenders for the most expensive part of building a home and what you need to know about them.
  • The Lot. The land that your home will be built on will make up a substantial portion of the cost of the home. ...
  • The Foundation. ...
  • Framing. ...
  • Plumbing & HVAC Systems. ...
  • Windows and Doors.
Feb 5, 2021

What city was the most expensive to build? ›

The world's most expensive cities to build in have been revealed, with London once again being named as the most expensive city in the world, according to the latest Arcadis 2024 International Construction Costs (ICC) report.

What is the No 1 expensive material in the world? ›

Antimatter: how the world's most expensive — and explosive — substance is made. It's the most expensive substance on Earth, costing quadrillions of dollars for a single gram. It's also likely the most explosive substance on the planet.

What are the most expensive things ever built? ›

Guinness World Records says that the most expensive thing ever created was the International Space Station, which reportedly cost USD 150 billion to design and build.

What is the strongest building material in the world? ›

The Strongest Building Material

Pound for pound, steel is the strongest construction material available (unless you count exotic materials like titanium). It is so much stronger than wood that the two cannot be fairly compared.

What is the most expensive property ever built? ›

Buckingham Palace is the world's most expensive house. Serving as the British monarch's official residence and administrative headquarters, it has been a symbol of British monarchy and prestige for centuries.

How much did Burj Khalifa cost to build? ›

The total cost of building the Burj Khalifa amounted to an eye-watering $1.5 billion. This staggering figure encompasses various expenses, including design, materials, labour, and project management.

What is the most expensive construction work? ›

7 of the world's most expensive construction projects
  • King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia - US$100 billion.
  • Dubailand, Dubai - US$64 billion. ...
  • Kashagan Field, Khazakstan - US$50 billion. ...
  • Hinkley Point C, UK - US$31 billion. ...
  • Kansai International Airport, Japan – US$20 billion. ...
Feb 22, 2023

What was the most expensive city to build? ›

London once again the world's most expensive city to build in
  • London is back at the top of the ranking of the most expensive construction locations in the world.
  • The UK capital is followed by Geneva (2nd), Zurich (3rd) and Munich (4th), according to the Arcadis International Construction Costs 2024 report.
Apr 18, 2024

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