The World’s Top 10 Most Expensive Skyscrapers!

When discussing skyscrapers, we tend to automatically focus on their height. The fight to be the tallest is an ongoing battle between cities, countries, architects, and designers. Sure, it may be mostly about bragging rights amongst industry professionals, but there are also a lot of benefits to building supertall skyscrapers, and these benefits don’t come cheap.

Listed below are the 10 most expensive skyscrapers in the world in descending order (according to Emporis.com):

One World Trade Center
Copyright: Khalid Mahmood

One World Trade Center in New York City: This building was designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and was completed in 2014. It stands right next to the memorial for the Twin Towers and the whole development cost $3.9 billion, more than double the second and third place skyscrapers.

The Palazzo
Copyright: Ed Lewis

The Palazzo in Las Vegas: Designed by HKS, TSA of Nevada and completed in 2007, the building cost $1.9 billion to complete. The Palazzo is an ultra luxury casino and hotel and has won the AAA Five Diamond Award every year since 2009.

The Shard
Copyright: Eric Smerling

The Shard in London, England: The renown Renzo Piano Building Workshop firm and Adamson Associates are responsible for this incredible building, which was completed in 2013. The Shard actually ties for second, also costing $1.9 billion to complete. In 2013, The Shard won the Emporis Skyscraper Award.

Taipei 101
Copyright: Michiel van Dijk

Taipei 101 in Taipei, Taiwan: Completed in 2004, this skyscraper cost $1.76 billion to build. Designed by C.Y. Lee & Partners, Taipei 101 was the world’s tallest building until the opening of the Burj Khalifa. The building is also certified LEED Platinum, the highest possible ranking.

Burj Khalifa
Copyright: Colin Capelle

Burj Khalifa, Dubai: Completed in 2010 and standing 2,722 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa dethroned Taipei 101 as the tallest building in the world. Even though this tower is the tallest, it didn’t even cost half of what One World Trade Center cost, with the final bill coming in at $1.5 billion.

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort
Copyright: MAD Architects, XiaZhi

Sheraton Huzhou Hot Spring Resort in Huzhou, China: Designed by MAD and Shanghai Dai Architectural Design, this building in not only one of the most expensive, but one of the most interesting looking in the world! The building was completed in 2013 and also cost $1.5 billion.

CapitaGreen
Copyright: Mith252

CapitaGreen in Singapore: This office building was designed by Toyo Ito & Associates and RSP with an emphasis on open concept work spaces and green features. It was completed this year and cost $1.4 billion.

Elbphilharmonie
Copyright: Daniel Schuldt

Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Germany: The interesting thing about this building is that it is not even finished yet and it has found its way into the top 10 most expensive skyscrapers list. The building by Herzog & de Meuron and Kallmorgen & Partner has encountered many unexpected delays and isn’t expected to be completed until 2016. So far, the building has cost $1.03 billion.

Bank of America Tower
Copyright: John W. Cahill

Bank of America in New York City: Is it really that surprising that New York has two spots on this list? Designed by Cook+Fox Architects and Adamson Associates, the tower cost $1 billion and is boasted as one of the world’s most efficient and ecologically friendly. It was completed in 2009. (This is also Adamson Associates’ second appearance on the list)

Chifley Tower
Copyright: John Bek

Chifley Tower in Sydney: The Chifley tower also cost $1 billion, but the interesting thing is that it was built in 1992! Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates are responsible for this building design, which is considered the second tallest in Sydney when measured to the top of the spire.

Something to take into consideration when browsing the list of the top 10 most expensive buildings in the world is that earlier this year, the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) conducted a report about “vanity height.” CTBUH describes vanity height as “the distance between a skyscraper’s highest occupiable floor and its architectural top, as determined by CTBUH Height Criteria.” It’s basically dead space that’s not used for anything except to achieve a greater height.

Two of the top 10 buildings mentioned here are mentioned in CTBUH’s report. The Burj Khalifa has a shocking 800 feet of vanity height, and the Bank of America Tower has about 430 feet. Depending on the cost of materials and time spent on these vanity areas, the total cost of the building (not to mention the height) could be significantly less.

With every skyscraper on the list costing $1 billion or higher, we wonder how costs will increase in the coming years with the advancement of smart technology, luxury features, and sustainable systems. Will a Toronto condo ever make the top 10 list?