These buildings are the stuff of architects' dreams.
If you’re interested in visiting some of the most expensive buildings in the world, take a trip to Las Vegas. Sin City boasts an impressive three of the world’s 10 –most expensive buildings.
If you want to see the rest, be prepared for some travel: Six of the 10 are located in countries outside the United States.
The list of the 10 most expensive buildings in the world is a remarkably varied one. It includes baseball and soccer stadiums, casinos, resorts and even a family home.
Here’s a quick look at some of the priciest real estate around
The Mandalay Bay resort in Las Vegas ranks as the 10th most expensive building in the world at a cost of $950 million. Built in 2007, the casino/resort owned by MGM Resorts International rises 43 stories in the air.
The Bank of China Tower in Hong Kong comes in next on the list. It has a price tag of $1 billion. Built in 1990, its main purpose is to house the offices of its namesake bank. It stretches an impressive 1,205.4 feet from the ground to the tip of its spire.
The Shanghai World Financial Center in Shanghai, China, is also no inexpensive building. With a price tag of $1.2 billion, this tower – it stands 1,622 feet tall to the top of its spire – houses retail businesses, offices and a museum in its 101 floors. The tower, though, is best known for the Park Hyatt Shanghai, which ranks as the world’s highest hotel.
A surprising entry on the list is the new Yankee Stadium in New York City’s Bronx. After building the $1.5 billion stadium in 2009, the Yankees have charged as much as $2,500 for single-game tickets. Some have criticized the club for charging such exorbitant ticket prices in the midst of a devastating recessionary period, but the criticism hasn’t hurt sales. Games here continue to sell out. The new ballpark replaced the Yankee Stadium that had been built in 1923, and was known as the house that Ruth, as in Babe, built.
Also at $1.5 billion, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai of the United Arab Emirates, is easily the tallest man-made structure in the world. Rising 2,717 feet to its roof, the Burj Khalifa also boasts some of the world’s most expensive real estate. Office space in this impressive skyscraper costs as much as $4,000 a square foot. The building’s Armani Residences rank as some of the world’s most expensive residential real estate with a price tag of $3,500 a square foot.
Another sports stadium also makes the list: the $1.5 billion Wembley Stadium, built in London in 2006. This stadium, with a capacity of 90,000, serves as the official home to England’s national soccer team. It’s also the second largest stadium in Europe.
Las Vegas’ second entrant on the list is the Bellagio Hotel & Casino. Built in 1998, this $1.6 billion casino and resort is famous for its impressive water fountain. The fountain made an extended appearance in the 2001 remake of Ocean’s 11 with George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
In Taiwan, the Taipei 101 is aptly named: It boasts 101 floors. The $1.8 billion building, which has stood in Taiwan since 2004, rises 1,670.6 feet from its base to its spire. The tower is home to a library, fitness center, restaurants and retail centers.
There’s only one private residence on the list, the Antilia residence in Mumbai, India. This residence, built in 2007 for Indian businessman Mukesh Ambani, boasts a price tag of $2 billion. Ambani can afford it; he’s chairman of Reliance Industries, India’s largest private-sector enterprise, one that specializes in the exploration and production of oil and gas. The Ambani family occupies 400,000 square feet in the residence.
The Antilia residence ranks as the world’s first billion-dollar private residence. It is also the world’s largest. A staff of 600 full-timers maintain the residence. Ambani named the residence after the mythical island Antilia, which is supposed to rest somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
Topping the list is another Las Vegas structure, Wynn Las Vegas. Built in 2005, the building comes with a stunning $2.7 billion price tag. It is the world’s most expensive resort. There’s even a Ferrari-Maserati dealership on site. It’s famous nightclub, Tryst, has a towering waterfall and its own lake.
Next time you think your home is expensive, remember these buildings.
