Many monumental structures have been built around the world, requiring exorbitant capital investment and a massive workforce. Most of these architectural marvels were erected to benefit large populations, while others served different purposes. Here are eleven of the most expensive buildings in the world.
Burj Khalifa
It is the tallest building on the planet, whose special construction, designed to deflect the wind around it, took about 10 years and reportedly involved more than twelve thousand people. Located in Dubai, its construction required an investment of over 20 billion dollars; it is made of reinforced concrete up to the 15th floor, while the upper levels are constructed of steel.
Freedom Tower
One World Trade Center, better known as Freedom Tower, is located in Manhattan, New York, and was built on the site of the former World Trade Center, which was destroyed in 2001. This building is recognized as one of the tallest in the world and was designed by the same architect responsible for such ingenious structures as the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The total cost of its construction was nearly $4 billion.
Southwest England Nuclear Power Plant
One of the most famous construction projects of recent times, which has consumed millions of dollars in both its construction and maintenance, is the nuclear power plant located in England. This project had an approximate cost of over 23 billion dollars. The financing was obtained thanks to the support of the Chinese and French governments.
The Exchange 106
Another of history's most iconic buildings is The Exchange. This 106-story tower is located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's commercial district in Malaysia. Its construction cost approximately $10 billion, making it one of the most expensive buildings in the world. It was completed in 2019.
Jiaozhou Bay Bridge
It is estimated that more than 30,000 vehicles cross this bridge daily, a journey that can be completed in approximately 20 minutes, cutting the normal travel time by half compared to other alternative routes. Connecting Qingdao with Huangdao District in China, it was inaugurated in June 2011 with an investment of approximately 10 billion yuan, equivalent to about 1.5 billion US dollars; other sources claim the figure was around 8.8 billion US dollars.
Large Hadron Collider
This structure is the largest machine ever built in the world. It is also the largest particle accelerator in existence and the one that generates the most energy. Wikipedia states that it is located in a tunnel 27 kilometers in circumference and 175 meters underground, beneath the border between France and Switzerland, near Geneva. This project had a total cost of approximately 10 billion dollars, and although it was conceived in the 1970s, its construction was approved in 1994 and it became operational in 2008.
Headquarters of the European Central Bank
It is common for the headquarters of the world's leading banks, as well as those of major corporations, to be housed in impressive and opulent buildings representing significant investment. Such is the case of the European Central Bank, which boasts an energy-efficient design. The total investment required for its construction was approximately 1.3 billion euros.
Australian Parliament Headquarters
Once considered the most expensive building in the Southern Hemisphere, it was inaugurated by Queen Elizabeth II in 1988. It is the seat of the Australian Parliament, located in Canberra. This magnificent building houses the Australian Legislative Power, and its construction cost an exorbitant $1.1 billion at the time.
Emirates Palace Hotel
One of the hotels that has received the largest investment in its construction is located in Abu Dhabi and is called the Emirates Palace Hotel. It is also one of the most luxurious. With a total cost of three billion dollars, this hotel has been compared to a museum due to its magnificent construction and decoration. High-quality materials such as high-purity marble were used in its construction.
Marina Bay Sands
Another hotel and casino that couldn't be left out of this list of the world's most expensive buildings is the Marina Bay Sands, considered the most luxurious in Singapore and one of the most extravagant in all of Asia. It's an impressive structure of three towers, each 200 meters tall, connected at the rooftop by a pool. Its construction cost $5.7 billion.
Burj Al Arab Hotel
One of the most impressive engineering feats in the world is the Burj Al Arab off the coast of Dubai. Despite being situated on a floating artificial island, it can withstand the worst desert storms and powerful earthquakes. Intended to transform the country into one of the world's leading tourist destinations, this structure, shaped like a sailboat and standing 321 meters tall, cost approximately one billion dollars and is one of the few seven-star hotels.
Source: E La Plata
