Each country has a unique way of reflecting its story, culture, and capabilities. For some-establishing the most expensive buildings, either locally or internationally, is one way to do it. Besides aiming to be recognized, this also leaves them atop the legacies of different historical cultures. 

Now, why are buildings so expensive? South Seattle Emerald reported that along with rising construction material prices, land and soft costs such as design and marketing are important factors. To show pride, countries carefully chose the land for the most expensive buildings they could plant on because of symbolism, which is often associated with business and tourism.

What is the Most Expensive Building to be Built?

Buildings tell a story and these stories serve every need of a progressing society that costs don't matter much once it's already serving its purpose. To see how this has helped their countries, take a look at the Top 5 Most Expensive Buildings in the world and why they were built.  

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1. The Great Mosque of Mecca

Per multiple sources, the most expensive building to be built is the Great Mosque of Mecca. Otherwise known as Masjid Al-Haram, Lifestyle Asia shared that although no exact figures were confirmed, developers, land, and materials already cost the mosque $100 billion (Rs 6.8 lakh crore). As the largest mosque in the world, it is visited by millions of Muslims who take the journey of pilgrimaging.

The same source also noted that the great mosque is not a new building and has been under several renovations within 100 years. In 2015, it was expanded by the order of Saudia Arabia's King, to accommodate millions of worshippers.

2. Abraj Al Bait in Mecca

Unlike the Great Mosque, Abraj Al Bait leans more towards general tourism purposes. As Lifestyle Asia stated, this massive government-owned skyscraper building overlooks the Masjid Al-Haram and has earned an alias of 'The Clock Towers' due to having the world's largest clock plastered across its four sides.

CNN reported that other than providing housing hotels and residential apartments, there are also shopping centers and other facilities, amounting to a construction cost of $15 billion (Rs 87,000 crore).

3. Marina Bay Sands in Singapore

More than a decade ago, Marina Bay Sands became a major contribution to Singaporean skyline. In a report by Construction Digital, tourists who want to know if they are indeed in the Lion City will only have to recognize the building to confirm their questions. 

Mixing freshwater scenery and modern buildings comprising 2,200 hotel rooms, nightclubs, chef restaurants, casinos, and other luxury places cost Las Vegas Sands Corp $5.7 billion (S$7.4 billion). With an ongoing expansion to be completed in 2026, at a price of $3.3 billion (S$4.2 billion), the overall cost is expected to increase. 

4. Sofi Stadium in California

Part of how a country gains its popularity and importance has something to do with record-breaking achievements-like concert attendance and sports. Hence, why Sofi Stadium made it into the world's most expensive buildings. 

Lifestyle Asia detailed that the stadium materials is worth around $5.5 billion mainly due to its massive size of 288,000 sq meters and location in Hollywood Park Racetrack, Inglewood. The number of accommodation is estimated to be between 70,000 to 100,000 people since it's also significant to NFL teams. LA Rams and Chargers.

5. One World Trade Center

Over 20 years later after 9/11, the attack on the World Trade Center or Twin Towers changed the trajectory of US-Iraq geopolitical history and airport security. Forbes detailed that memorializing it as a reminder came with an almost $4 billion costs. 

As one of the most expensive buildings in the world, the way One World Trade Center was built had an interesting historical reference. First is that it's 1,776 feet long, the year of the Declaration of Independence in the US. In the entire Western hemisphere, it's also the tallest building. Commercial operations in the One World Trade Center started in 2014 and had already thousands of people working inside.

Not including factories and business operation buildings, with the exemption of One World Trade Center due to its history, these top 5 most expensive buildings in the world are bound to leave a mark in history. Some are usually known for their designs (e.g. Marina Bay Sands), and fame (e.g. Sofi Stadium), but most make a show of their culture, way of living and history.

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