Have you ever wondered which are the most expensive buildings in the world? That is a difficult question to answer. Depending on how you measure cost, different buildings could be the most expensive.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the most expensive buildings in the world and determine which one takes the top spot. Some people might say the Palace of Versailles is the most costly building in the world, due to annual maintenance costs around $14.5 million. However, we’re focusing on those buildings that cost the most to build in recent times.
How I Ranked These Buildings
Construction costs for mega-projects are rarely published in full. The figures in this list come from developer announcements, government reports, company filings and reputable press coverage, and many of them are estimates or reported ranges rather than audited totals. Where sources disagree, I’ve used the most widely reported figure, and where only a range exists, as with ITER, I’ve shown the range.
I’ve ranked each building by its initial construction cost, using the dollar figures reported at the time, rather than adjusting for inflation. A fair inflation adjustment would mean knowing how much was spent in each year of builds that sometimes ran for a decade or more, often across different currencies, and that data simply isn’t public for most of these projects.
Ranking by reported cost keeps the comparison transparent and lets you check the numbers for yourself. The one exception is Masjid al-Haram, where the figure reflects the combined cost of its modern expansions.
Since this list was first compiled, a few new mega-projects have joined the ranks of the world’s most expensive buildings. The latest is Highmark Stadium in Buffalo, which opened in June 2026 at a cost of just over $2.1 billion and enters the list at number 16.
Next on the horizon is Wynn Al Marjan Island in Ras Al Khaimah, a $5.7 billion resort due to open in September 2027 as the UAE’s first integrated resort with a casino. I’ll keep updating this list as new projects are completed and costs are confirmed.
The Most Expensive Buildings in the World List
Sure, your home may be the most expensive thing you own. But on a global scale, it’s probably not even close to the priciest building out there.
From entire cities to massive sports stadiums, some structures come with an astronomical price tag. Curious to see which buildings made the list of most expensive ever built? Read on to find out.
19. Burj Khalifa, Dubai – $1.5 billion
Certified by Guinness World Records as the tallest building in the world, at 828 m (2,717 feet) high, the Burj Khalifa was completed in 2010. This imposing structure houses offices, residences, hotels, and the At The Top observation deck, and includes a number of luxury amenities such as an outdoor pool and a spa.
The building’s construction required over 22 million man-hours. It is estimated that the building will use about 10% less energy than a typical skyscraper of its size due to the solar panels installed on its roof.
Despite the costly construction costs, the Burj Khalifa is nevertheless not in the top 10 most expensive buildings worldwide. There wasn’t an existing urban area there so access was not difficult and labour costs are relatively low in the UAE.
Visiting: The public can head up to the paid At The Top observation decks on levels 124 and 125, or splash out on At The Top Sky on level 148.
18. Antilia, Mumbai – $2 billion
Antilia is not just one of the most expensive private residences in the world at $2 billion, but also one of the most unusual. Owned by billionaire businessman Mukesh Ambani, this 27-story, 400,000-square-foot mansion stands in the heart of Mumbai and reaches approximately 173 meters (568 feet) in height.
Named after a mythical island in the Atlantic Ocean, Antilia’s architecture draws inspiration from the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The building features an extraordinary level of luxury with amenities including multiple swimming pools, a private movie theater, a ballroom, several gardens, a snow room that artificially produces snowflakes, and a garage that can accommodate 168 cars.
What makes Antilia particularly remarkable is that despite its 27 floors, it actually has space equivalent to a 60-story conventional building because each floor has exceptionally high ceilings. The structure is designed to withstand an earthquake of magnitude 8 on the Richter scale and employs hundreds of staff members to maintain its operations.
Visiting: Antilia is a private family home and isn’t open to visitors, although you can see its unusual stacked silhouette from Altamount Road in south Mumbai.
17. City of Dreams, Macau – $2.1 billion
Not to be confused with the City of Dreams in Manila, which cost $1.3 billion to build, this resort complex is in Macau. The City of Dreams opened in 2009 and is the third largest casino in the world.
In fact, the resort features three separate casinos, approximately 30 high-end restaurants and bars and four hotels. Visitors also come to see The House of Dancing Water, an award-winning show with elements of water and fire.
There are also several shopping areas with a high-end department store, spas and a 24 hour fitness center within the complex.
Visiting: The shops, restaurants and public areas are free to explore, while House of Dancing Water is ticketed. Casino floors in Macau are restricted to over-21s.
16. Highmark Stadium, Buffalo – $2.1 billion
The newest entry on this list, Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York, opened in June 2026 as the new home of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills. It replaces the team’s previous stadium across the road, which had been their home since 1973.
The project was originally budgeted at $1.4 billion, but rising material costs pushed the final bill to just over $2.1 billion, making it the largest construction project in Western New York’s history. New York State and Erie County contributed $850 million, with the Bills covering the rest.
Designed by Populous, the open-air stadium seats around 63,000 fans and is built to keep Buffalo’s famously harsh weather part of the game day experience while giving spectators more shelter than the old ground. London readers may spot a familiar influence, as the design took inspiration from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Visiting: The stadium hosts Bills home games from September to January, as well as concerts and other events throughout the year.
15. Shanghai Tower, Shanghai – $2.4 billion
Standing at 632 meters (2,073 feet) tall with 128 floors, Shanghai Tower is China’s tallest building and the second-tallest skyscraper in the world. Completed in 2015 at a cost of approximately $2.4 billion, this architectural marvel features a unique twisted design that reduces wind loads on the building by 24%.
The tower’s most distinctive feature is its “building within a building” concept, consisting of nine cylindrical buildings stacked on top of each other, all enclosed by the glass façade’s inner layer. Between the inner and outer layers are nine sky gardens at different heights, providing public spaces throughout the tower.
Shanghai Tower incorporates 43 sustainable technologies, including rainwater collection systems and wind turbines that generate power for the building’s exterior lighting. The skyscraper houses offices, retail spaces, a luxury hotel, and observation decks offering panoramic views of Shanghai’s skyline.
Visiting: With a paid ticket, you can ride up to the Top of Shanghai Observatory on the 118th floor for sweeping views over the Bund and Pudong.
14. Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia – $2.44 billion
The most expensive hospital ever built, this structure in Adelaide, Australia is owned by the state government. This is the largest hospital in South Australia at 175,000m2 with 800 beds.
Known for short as the RAH, this gigantic hospital boasts 3.8 hectares of landscaped areas, including 70 courtyards and several sky gardens. This technologically advanced building has a fleet of robots that transport food, equipment and supplies.
Visiting: As a working public hospital, the RAH isn’t a tourist attraction, although its courtyards and public areas are open to patients and their visitors.
13. Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi – $3 billion
The five star Emirates Palace is one of the most expensive hotels ever built. Spread over 850,000 square meters, this huge property was built at a cost of over $3 billion and opened in 2005.
The palace features 302 bedrooms and 92 suites, as well as a private beach, marina, and helipad. In addition to its opulent accommodations, the Emirates Palace is also home to a number of prestigious restaurants and lounges, including Hakkasan Abu Dhabi and Martabaan by Hemant Oberoi.
Operated by Mandarin Oriental, the Emirates Palace features grandiose architecture, with gold leaf-adorned ceilings, marble staircases, and intricate mosaics. No expense was spared in the construction of this opulent hotel.
Visiting: You don’t need to be a hotel guest to step inside. Book a table at one of the restaurants or stop by for afternoon tea to see the gilded interiors for yourself.
12. Lotte World Tower, Seoul – $3.11 billion
This 123 story skyscraper is the tallest building in South Korea, at 555 meters. The Lotte World Tower is also currently the world’s sixth tallest building.
It was completed in 2017 at a cost of $3.11 billion. The building is home to a variety of businesses and amenities, including offices, retail space, residences, a hotel, and an observatory deck.
Head to Seoul Sky on the 117th to 123rd floors via the Sky Shuttle elevator for the cafes and terraces. At 478 meters high, the Sky Deck holds the Guinness World Record for being the highest glass floor observation deck in the world.
Visiting: Seoul Sky is open to the public with a paid ticket, and the adjoining Lotte World Mall makes it easy to spend a whole afternoon here.
11. One World Trade Center, NYC – $3.8 billion
The Freedom Tower, as this New York skyscraper is also known, was built on the Manhattan site of the World Trade Center, also known as the Twin Towers, that was destroyed in the 9/11 terrorist attack.
The 94 story skyscraper stands at a symbolic 1,776 feet, making it the tallest building in the United States. The structure cost an estimated $3.8 billion to construct and is one of the most expensive buildings in the world. I’ve visited One World Trade Center myself, and its scale is hard to grasp until you’re standing at the base, craning your neck to take in all 1,776 feet of it.
Despite its hefty price tag, One World Trade Center has become a symbol of hope and resilience. Next door, the outdoor 9/11 Memorial with its two reflecting pools is free to visit every day. The 9/11 Memorial Museum, which tells the story of the site and the people who lost their lives, charges admission, with adult tickets currently priced at $36. However, free tickets for Monday visits are released on the museum’s website at 7am each Monday.
Visiting: The One World Observatory on floors 100 to 102 is open daily with a paid ticket.
10. Palace of the People, Bucharest – $4 billion
Also known as the Palace of the Parliament, this monolithic structure in Bucharest is the most expensive administrative building in the world. Electricity, heating and lighting costs more than $6 million per year.
Commissioned by Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu, the People’s Palace was completed in 1997. Covering an area of over 3.9 million square feet, it is 70% empty.
The palace houses numerous government offices, as well as the Parliament of Romania. It’s also one of Bucharest’s biggest attractions, although visitors can only see around 5% of the building.
I’ve only seen the Palace of the People from the outside, and even from the street its sheer bulk is hard to take in. It’s almost impossible to fit the whole building into a single photo.
Visiting: Entry is by guided tour only, so book ahead and bring your passport, or your national ID card if you’re an EU citizen.
9. The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas – $4.1 billion
Boasting a casino, movie theater, night club, spa and three pools, The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is located on the Las Vegas Strip. It features 3,027 rooms spread across two glass-tower skyscrapers.
The construction cost of this luxury hotel was over $4 billion and it was completed in 2010. The Chandelier Bar contains more than 2 million glass beads.
Thanks to its prime location and impressive amenities, the Cosmopolitan has been ranked as one of the best hotels in Las Vegas and continues to be a popular choice for both leisure and business travelers.
Visiting: Anyone can wander in to explore the shops, restaurants and The Chandelier bar. The casino floor is restricted to over-21s.
8. Wynn Palace, Macau – $4.2 billion
This Wynn resort is located on reclaimed land in Cotai, Macau. Costing a staggering $4.2 billion to construct, the Wynn Palace was completed in 2016.
This luxury casino and resort features one of the largest collections of art in Macau, with many floral sculptures on display throughout the property. There are currently 1,706 luxury suites, a spa, the Wynn Palace Esplanade shopping mall, and a Performance Lake with a state of the art sound and lighting system.
Wynn Palace is set to grow even bigger. In July 2026, the Macau government approved an expansion that includes The Enclave at Wynn Palace, a new tower of 432 suites and villas connected to the resort’s east entrance. The roughly $950 million project is due to break ground in the second half of 2026 and open in early 2029, and the plans also include a new theater and events center.
I’ve been inside Wynn Palace, and it’s every bit as opulent as you’d expect from a $4.2 billion resort.
Visiting: The resort is free to enter, and the SkyCab gondola gliding over the Performance Lake is free to ride. Casino areas are over-21s only.
7. Resorts World Sentosa, Singapore – $4.93 billion
This expensive complex encompasses the Universal Studios Singapore theme park, a marina, retail stores, a casino and the and the Singapore Oceanarium, the former S.E.A. Aquarium, which reopened in July 2025 at around three times its original size. The building was completed in 2010, at a cost of $4.93 billion.
Located on the island of Sentosa, off the southern coast of Singapore, the integrated resort includes six hotels with 1,800 rooms. It is owned by Genting Singapore.
Resorts World Sentosa is one of the largest employers in Singapore, with around 15,000 employees. Sentosa Island attracts over 18 million visitors each year.
Visiting: The resort is open to everyone, with separate paid tickets for Universal Studios Singapore and the Singapore Oceanarium.
6. Apple Park, California – $5 billion
Situated in Cupertino, California, this building complex features a massive ring-shaped main building, seven cafes, 9,000 trees, the 1,000-seat Steve Jobs Auditorium and a 100,000 square foot fitness center. Apple Park cost an estimated $5 billion to build and houses more than 12,000 employees.
Designed by world-renowned architect Norman Foster, the circular main building is made of glass and steel.
The campus is completely powered by renewable energy. While the cost of construction is certainly staggering, Apple Park is likely to be a major asset for the company for many years to come.
Visiting: The ring-shaped main building is off limits, but the Apple Park Visitor Center across the road is open to everyone, with a café, an Apple Store and a rooftop terrace overlooking the campus.
5. SoFi Stadium, Inglewood – $5.5 billion
SoFi Stadium is a sports stadium and entertainment complex currently hosting the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers.
Located in Inglewood, California, the stadium seats 70,000 fans. It features a retractable roof and a sliding glass door that allows for an open-air experience. Under the same roof canopy, there is also a 6,000-seat performing arts venue, which will be used for concerts and other events.
In addition to its sporting and entertainment facilities, SoFi Stadium also includes The Kinsey African American Art and History Collection. With its numerous amenities and cutting-edge design, SoFi Stadium is truly a one-of-a-kind facility.
Visiting: Outside of game days and concerts, SoFi Stadium runs guided tours, and the surrounding Hollywood Park district has shops, restaurants and a lakeside park.
4. Marina Bay Sands, Singapore – $5.7 billion
The Marina Bay Sands is a luxury resort complex located in Singapore that includes a hotel, casino, mall, convention center, theater, museum, and two floating pavilions.
Spread over 15.5 hectares, it has three towers and the 340 meter long SkyPark on top. A fourth tower with 1000 additional hotel rooms is planned for 2026.
The rooftop infinity pool is one of its most famous features and offers stunning views of Singapore’s skyline. The SkyPark Observation Deck on the 56th floor is another popular viewpoint.
Visiting: The SkyPark Observation Deck is open to the public with a paid ticket, but the famous infinity pool is reserved for hotel guests.
3. Abraj Al-Bait, Saudi Arabia – $16 billion
Located just meters away from the Great Mosque of Mecca, Abraj Al-Bait Towers is a complex of seven hotels.
The site also includes The Clock Towers Shopping Center, apartments, office buildings and a prayer hall. The tallest tower in the complex is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower. It houses the largest clock face in the world.
The construction of this building was overseen by the Saudi Arabian government. It was designed to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who visit Mecca each year for the Hajj.
Visiting: Like the rest of Mecca, the complex is open only to Muslims. Pilgrims can visit the Clock Tower Museum near the top of the tower, which explores astronomy and timekeeping.
2. ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor), France – $22-28 billion
Located in Saint-Paul-lez-Durance in southern France, ITER is not a conventional building. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor is a scientific project that houses the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor.
A collaboration between 35 nations including China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, Russia, and the United States, ITER was originally expected to cost approximately €5 billion ($5.6 billion). The project has experienced significant cost increases, with current estimates ranging between €18-22 billion ($22-28 billion).
The facility contains the world’s most powerful superconducting magnets, designed to contain plasma heated to temperatures 10 times hotter than the sun’s core. Unlike traditional fission reactors, ITER aims to produce energy through fusion, the same process that powers stars.
The project was originally meant to start operations in 2024 but significant delays have pushed this back to 2034 or later.
Visiting: ITER offers free guided tours of the construction site, but places must be booked well in advance.
1. Masjid Al-Haram, Saudi Arabia – $100 billion
Built on the most sacred site in Islam, Masjid Al-Haram is the focal point for the Hajj. This annual pilgrimage is undertaken by all able-bodied Muslims at least once in their life.
The Great Mosque of Mecca was originally built in the 7th century. Since then, it has been expanded several times, most recently in the Third Saudi Expansion, which is now largely complete.
The Expansion Project of The Great Mosque of Mecca raised its capacity to around 2.5 million worshippers. At 100 billion dollars, this is the most expensive building ever constructed.
Visiting: Entry to Mecca is restricted to Muslims, so the Great Mosque can only be visited by pilgrims performing Hajj or Umrah.
In Conclusion: The Most Expensive Building in the World
As you can see from this list of expensive buildings around the world, some structures come with an exorbitant price tag. From entire cities to massive sports stadiums to luxury resorts costing billions of dollars, these are some of the most expensive structures ever built.
So, which of these is the most expensive building in the world? By construction cost, Masjid al-Haram in Mecca takes the top spot by a wide margin, thanks to decades of expansion.
Among more conventional single projects, Abraj Al-Bait leads the way. And if you factor in running costs, the Palace of the People, with its multimillion-dollar annual energy bill, is a strong contender. I think construction cost is the fairest yardstick, because it’s the one figure that can be compared across every building on this list.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Most Expensive Buildings Worldwide
What is the most expensive building in the world?
Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is the most expensive building in the world at $100 billion. Masjid Al-Haram in Mecca, Saudi Arabia is the most expensive building in the world at $100 billion. This vast mosque surrounds the Kaaba and can hold around 2.5 million worshippers following its most recent expansion.
The complex has undergone continuous expansion since the 1980s, with the most recent phases completed in the 2010s adding state-of-the-art infrastructure to handle the millions of pilgrims who visit each year.
How much did the Burj Khalifa cost to build?
The Burj Khalifa cost $1.5 billion to build. Construction began in 2004 and was completed in 2010.
At 828 meters (2,717 feet) tall with 163 floors, it remains the tallest building in the world. The tower contains residential apartments, corporate suites, the Armani Hotel, observation decks, and the highest restaurant in the world.
What is the most expensive building in the US?
SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California is the most expensive building in the US at $5.5 billion. Opened in 2020, this indoor-outdoor stadium is home to both the LA Rams and LA Chargers.
It features a massive 4K video board that hangs from the roof, covering the entire field like a halo. The stadium hosted Super Bowl LVI in 2022 and will be a key venue for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
What is the cost of the tallest building in the world?
The Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, cost $1.5 billion to build. Standing at 828 meters (2,717 feet) with 163 floors, it has held the title of world’s tallest building since its completion in 2010.
The construction budget covered not just the tower itself but also the sophisticated engineering required to build at such extreme heights in Dubai’s desert climate.
Why are buildings getting more expensive to construct?
Buildings are getting more expensive due to several factors: advanced engineering for supertall structures, premium materials like custom glass and rare stone, complex safety and sustainability systems, specialized labor costs, and inflation in construction markets. Mega-projects like stadiums and mixed-use developments also now include extensive technology infrastructure, from massive video boards to integrated smart building systems, which weren’t part of construction budgets a few decades ago.
What makes a building expensive to build?
Several factors drive up building costs: structural complexity (like extreme height or unique designs), location challenges (building in dense cities or difficult terrain), premium finishes and materials, advanced technology systems, labor costs in high-wage markets, environmental controls, and the sheer scale of a project. Buildings that push engineering boundaries or serve specialized purposes like nuclear research facilities tend to cost significantly more than conventional structures.
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