The 20 most expensive buildings in the world: from super mosques to luxury casinos

Al-Masjid al-Haram is the most important and largest mosque in Islam and also the most expensive building in the world today. Together with the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina and the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem, it is one of the three holiest sites in Islam. Inside is the Kaaba, the central sanctuary and spiritual center for Muslims worldwide.

The original structure dates back to the 16th century, but has been expanded several times since then. Today, nine minarets cover an area of around 356,800 square meters. The mosque currently has space for up to 820,000 worshippers. But the largest construction project in the Islamic world continues to grow: as part of a large-scale expansion, the area is to be increased to 456,000 square meters – with a capacity for up to 1.2 million people. According to estimates, the total cost of the previous and ongoing expansion projects amounts to around 100 billion US dollars.

The group of high-rise buildings with the central skyscraper, the Mecca Royal Clock Tower Hotel, stands right next to the Holy Mosque in Mecca. With an estimated construction cost of around US$19.5 billion, the complex is considered the second most expensive building in the world – right behind the nearby Al-Masjid al-Haram.

This architectural landmark in the heart of Mecca consists of several towers, the centerpiece of which is the Mecca Royal Clock Tower, over 600 meters high. Its gigantic clock is reminiscent of London’s Big Ben in shape, but far superior in size: the four dials each have a diameter of 43 meters and are illuminated by over two million LEDs.

The Abraj Al Bait Towers were built to accommodate the growing number of pilgrims who travel to Mecca every year for the Hajj. The hotel complex can accommodate over 30,000 people. With more than one million square meters of floor space, it is one of the largest and tallest buildings in the world.

The building consists of a casino, a hotel, a conference and exhibition center, a shopping mall, an art and science museum, two theaters, and various bars and nightclubs. Three towers, each with 55 floors, support a roof garden with a spectacular infinity pool at a height of almost 190 meters. The iconic structure was designed by architect Moshe Safdie, who was inspired by stacked playing cards.

With construction costs of around US$7.8 billion, Marina Bay Sands is one of the most expensive buildings in the world. As a luxury resort and gaming venue, it is the most expensive standalone casino building in the world to date.

The elaborately designed Resorts World Sentosa leisure complex is located on Sentosa Island, just off the south coast of Singapore. The extensive grounds include two casinos, a Universal Studios theme park, a water park, and the world’s largest oceanarium – the S.E.A. Aquarium, home to over 100,000 marine animals.

More than 10,000 employees ensure that everything runs smoothly here every day. The area was designed as an integrated resort and, in addition to numerous leisure activities, also offers luxury hotels, restaurants, event spaces, and shopping opportunities. With an estimated construction cost of around US$6.7 billion, Resorts World Sentosa is one of the most expensive buildings in the world and one of the most ambitious construction projects in Asia.

With construction costs of around US$5.5 billion, SoFi Stadium is one of the most expensive buildings in the world. It is also the most expensive stadium ever built. It is located in Inglewood, California, not far from Los Angeles, and opened in 2020.

The multifunctional stadium is home to the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers NFL teams. It can accommodate over 70,000 spectators – and can even be expanded to more than 100,000 if necessary. The covered arena features a huge, translucent roof structure and a 360-degree video display that is one of the largest of its kind.

SoFi Stadium is part of a comprehensive urban development project that also includes a business district, hotels, and residential complexes. As a modern sports and event venue with innovative technology and futuristic design, it is regularly used for major international events such as the Super Bowl final and concerts by world-famous artists.

With an estimated investment volume of around US$5 billion, Apple Park in Cupertino, California, is one of the most technically innovative and expensive buildings in the world. The futuristic corporate campus was designed as the new headquarters of the US technology group Apple and officially opened in 2017.

The striking, ring-shaped main building – often referred to as a “spaceship” – measures approximately 460 meters in diameter and comprises around 260,000 square meters of office space. It impresses with its minimalist design, energy-efficient construction, and the use of glass on almost the entire façade.

Apple Park is a workplace for over 12,000 employees and a symbol of technological innovation and design excellence at the highest level. Surrounded by a carefully designed park landscape with over 9,000 newly planted trees, the campus sets global standards in sustainability and architecture.

With construction costs of around US$4.2 billion, Wynn Palace in Macau is one of the world’s most expensive buildings. Opened in 2016, this luxury resort is located in the Cotai district, the Asian equivalent of the Las Vegas Strip.

The complex combines opulent hotel comfort with spectacular leisure facilities: in addition to over 1,700 rooms and suites, the site includes a spacious casino, exclusive boutiques, first-class restaurants, a spa area, and an artificial lake with a cable car. Particularly striking is the show concept with water fountains, light, and music – comparable to the famous Bellagio fountains in Las Vegas.

The gambling metropolis of Las Vegas is represented in the list of the world’s most expensive buildings by The Cosmopolitan. The complex consists of two towers, each with 61 floors, containing around 3,000 rooms and suites. The building also houses a spacious casino, several restaurants and bars, numerous retail spaces, a spa and fitness center, conference rooms, and its own theater.

The construction of the complex was originally financed by Deutsche Bank – an unusual step for a hotel and casino project in the USA. The construction costs amounted to around US$3.9 billion, with some sources citing even higher figures, particularly when taking into account subsequent extensions and inflation-adjusted bills.

At 541 meters (including the spire), One World Trade Center is the tallest building in the United States and one of the most expensive structures in the world. It stands on the site in Manhattan where the twin towers of the original World Trade Center stood until September 11, 2001.

The new building was designed as a symbol of resilience and new beginnings. In addition to office space, the building also houses an observation deck, a restaurant, and a museum. It was finally completed in 2014. The total cost amounted to around US$3.8 billion, making One World Trade Center one of the most expensive buildings in North America.

The Emirates Palace Hotel in Abu Dhabi is considered one of the most magnificent and luxurious hotels in the world. With construction costs of around US$3 billion, it is undoubtedly also one of the most expensive buildings ever built. The impressive property is state-owned and is used by the ruling family of the United Arab Emirates for representative purposes.

The hotel combines traditional Arabic architecture with state-of-the-art comfort. It has around 400 rooms and suites, several high-class restaurants, conference rooms, a private beach, spacious gardens, and a lavish spa and wellness area. Many surfaces are decorated with real gold leaf – this alone showcases the luxurious standards of the hotel.