The incredible £67bn landmark that's the world's most expensive building in history
With an area of more than 400,000 square meters, it could hold up to 2.5 million people at one time.
Expensive buildings around the world often reflect the pinnacle of architectural achievement, innovation, and cultural significance.
These structures, ranging from iconic skyscrapers to grand religious landmarks, represent massive investments in terms of financial cost, materials, labour, and time.
The Great Mosque of Mecca, also known as Masjid al-Haram, is the world’s most expensive building ever constructed, with an astounding cost of £67 billion ($100 billion).
When adjusted for inflation, this figure rises to $115.2 billion in 2022 dollars, cementing its place in history as an architectural and financial marvel.
Located in the heart of Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the mosque is not only a monumental religious site but also a symbol of spiritual significance for over a billion Muslims worldwide.
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Construction of the mosque began in 638 AD, and it has undergone several expansions and renovations over the centuries.
The most recent upgrades, completed in 2020, solidified its status as the largest mosque in the world, as well as the most expensive building ever created.
Beyond its religious significance, the Great Mosque of Mecca is a masterpiece of design and engineering.
Covering an area of over 400,000 square meters, it can hold up to 2.5 million worshippers at one time.
The mosque’s vast marble floors, intricate architectural details, and towering minarets make it a symbol of both Islamic heritage and modern innovation.
The mosque's construction cost is not just attributed to its enormous scale but also to the quality of the materials used, its elaborate design, and the cutting-edge technology that ensures the comfort and safety of millions of pilgrims each year.
Features such as air-conditioned walkways, expansive prayer halls, and advanced lighting systems all contribute to the mosque's status as the most expensive building in history.
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In addition to its financial significance, the Great Mosque of Mecca is the largest mosque in the world, capable of holding more people than any other religious building on the planet.
Following the Great Mosque of Mecca, several other buildings also carry hefty price tags.
The Abraj Al Bait in Mecca, a towering complex of hotels and shopping malls, is the second most expensive building, costing $15 billion, equivalent to $19.5 billion in 2022 dollars.
Next is Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, an iconic resort complex famous for its sky-high infinity pool, which cost $5.7 billion, or $7.79 billion in today’s dollars.
Singapore’s Resorts World Sentosa, another luxury destination featuring a casino, theme park, and aquarium, came in at $4.93 billion, adjusting to $6.74 billion in 2022.
Lastly, SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, home to the NFL’s Rams and Chargers, rounds out the list with a construction cost of $5.5 billion, or $6.33 billion in 2022 dollars.
