The most expensive building in the world is not a skyscraper, a palace, or a hospital. It is a religious complex in Saudi Arabia. The Great Mosque of Mecca, also known as Masjid al-Haram, is the holiest site for Muslims and can accommodate up to two million worshippers at a time. The mosque has been undergoing a massive expansion project since 2011, which will increase its capacity and improve its facilities.
Located in Makkah, Saudi Arabia, Masjid Al-Haram is one of the oldest and largest mosques ever built. It is also known as the Grand Mosque and the Great Mosque. Thousands of Muslims gather yearly at Masjid Al-Haram to pray (Salah) and perform Tawaf during Hajj and Umrah. Masjid Al-Haram is the site of many pilgrimage ceremonies, with a rectangular central courtyard surrounded by covered prayer areas in the holy city of Makkah. The current Masjid Al-Haram covers an area of 400,800 square meters and can accommodate around 4 million Muslims during Hajj or Umrah.
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Masjid Al-Haram was first built during the reign of Caliph Umar Ibn al-Khattab (634-644). Since then, Masjid Al-Haram has undergone several renovations and expansions. The current structure of Masjid Al-Haram dates back to AD 1571, the period of the rule of Ottoman Sultan Selim II. Next was King Fahad; in the early 1950s, King Abdul Aziz Saud planned to expand Masjid Al-Haram to increase its capacity. Today, the structure we see was renovated by King Salman, who extended the North area and added air conditioners to the enclosed areas.
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Several media outlets reported that the Masjid Al-Haram expansion project cost the Saudi Arabian government around $100 billion (approximately Rs 6.8 lakh). This is a massive number for a building.
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The UAE's English-language daily, The National, said in a report that the cost to the Saudi government to compensate landowners was about $35.5 billion (about Rs 2.41 lakh). In addition, the estimated construction cost of USD 26.6 billion (approximately Rs 1.8 lakh) has resulted in a total construction cost of USD 62 billion (approx Rs 4.21 lakh). With a construction cost of 26.6 billion USD, Masjid Al-Haram is still the most expensive building in the world.
Next to the most expensive building in the world is the hotel complex directly related to it - Abraj Al-Bait, which is also a work of great value. And let's take a look at some of the most expensive buildings in the world below:
Abrāj al-Bait, Saudi Arabia - $16 billion
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Abrāj al-Bait is a complex of seven skyscraper hotels in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. These towers are essential because of their unique location, just a few kilometers from Masjid al-Haram. Abrāj al-Bait Towers are hard to miss if you are nearby as they seem to be touching the sky and can be seen from a distance. The tallest tower in the complex, Makkah Royal Clock Tower, is the tallest skyscraper in Saudi Arabia and the 5th tallest freestanding structure in the world. The tallest tower in the complex is the Makkah Royal Clock Tower.
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Makkah Tower also has the most prominent clock face in the world. The government of Saudi Arabia oversaw the construction of this building. It is designed to accommodate the large number of pilgrims who visit Mecca each year for the Hajj. Many pilgrims stay at the Makkah Tower, which offers stunning views of Masjid al-Haram. They could observe all the worshipers walking around the Kaaba. The complex includes hotels, restaurants, museums, residential apartments, shopping malls, and prayer areas that can accommodate thousands of worshipers. A five-story shopping mall called Abrāj al-Bait Mall is located within the complex, along with a parking cellar that can hold over a thousand cars.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore - $5.7 billion
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Marina Bay Sands is an integrated resort owned by the Las Vegas Sands corporation. When it opened in 2010, it was touted as the world's most expensive independent casino, with a value of up to $5.87 billion. Marina Bay Sands includes a hotel, casino, shopping mall, convention center, ect. Spread over 15.5 hectares, it has three towers and a 340-meter-long SkyPark at the top. The fourth tower with 1000 additional hotel rooms is planned for 2026. The rooftop infinity pool is one of its most prominent features and offers stunning views of the Singapore skyline. The SkyPark Observation Deck on the 56th floor is another popular observation point.
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Marina Bay Sands Resort has an area of 20 hectares designed by architect Moshe Safdie. This resort includes a 2,561-room hotel, 120,000 square meters convention and exhibition center, The Marina Bay Sands Shopping Center 74,000 square meter, a museum, two grand theaters, two floating Crystal pavilions, a restaurant with celebrity chefs, a science and art exhibition, the world's largest casino with 500 tables and 1,600 slot machines silver. Marina Bay Sands is the ultimate destination for entertainment, business, and shopping, offering once-in-a-lifetime experiences. With steep towers (up to 26 degrees) and connecting feet on Level 23 to form a single building, the resort is one of the most elaborate facilities ever built.
SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, USA - $5.5 billion
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SoFi Stadium is a sports stadium and entertainment complex that currently hosts the Los Angeles Rams and Los Angeles Chargers. Located in Inglewood, California, the stadium has a capacity of 70,000 fans. Designed by HKS Architects, SoFi Stadium is located at the former Hollywood Park Circuit site and the Los Angeles Forum. The flat roof, combined with the stadium's pedestal, seating, and landscaping, is sculpted and designed to create the feel of an outdoor venue while offering the versatility of a traditional dome stadium.
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The Outdoor SoFi Stadium was the first indoor-outdoor stadium to be built. It is also the NFL's largest stadium, with an area of 288,500 square meters. The SoFi Stadium has a retractable roof and a sliding glass door for an outdoor experience. There is also a 6,000-seat performing arts venue that will be used for concerts and other events. In addition to sports and recreation facilities, SoFi Stadium also houses the Kinsey African American Art and History Collection. With a wealth of amenities and cutting-edge design, SoFi Stadium is truly a one-of-a-kind facility.
Apple Park, California, USA - 5 billion USD
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Apple Park is the company's second campus to be built in Cupertino, California, and one of the last products introduced by late CEO Steve Jobs. The massive ring-shaped building is now a symbol of Apple's dedication to design, green energy, and the future of technology. The new campus is surrounded by nature, and an orchard is in the center of the ring. Apple Park is a beacon of creativity and unity that propels Apple into the future. Apple Park costs an estimated $5 billion to build and is home to over 12,000 employees.
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Apple Park is shaped like a giant flying saucer; Apple calls the main campus building The Ring. This massive building has 800 45-foot-tall circular glass panels. Some of these panels function as large sliding doors, exposing the interior to the outside in fine weather. The belt uses base isolation to protect against earthquakes. The isolation system consists of 692 large steel discs located two floors underground. Ring's interiors feature large rooms with glass walls and entryways, including large open spaces that can be collapsed into smaller sections when needed. The belt is divided into eight identical segments and surrounded by a wide corridor.
The actual cost of a building is understood as the amount spent on its construction. This may also include expenses incurred for acquiring land, modifying existing structures, small buildings forming part of the project, and other similar costs associated with the main project. However, it can still be challenging to gauge the exact cost of a building. The above is just a summary of the reported expenses of the most expensive building in the world, but it partly shows the work's immense stature and great significance. See more in the video below about the most expensive buildings on the planet.
The Most Expensive Buildings In The World (ganjing.com)