Makkah's clock tower among world's most expensive skyscrapers

Over the last few decades, hundreds of skyscrapers have been built with construction costs continuing to soar

Hovering skyscrapers are reshaping skylines across the world's major cities. Over the last few decades hundreds of skyscrapers have been built with their costs continuing to soar. A round-up of the most expensive towers built in the last 20 years by Business Insider found that Makkah's clock tower was the most expensive tower to be built.

Here we look at 14 of the world's most expensive skyscrapers built in the last two decades.

1. Abraj Al Bait, Saudi Arabia

The construction of the Abraj Al Bait, featuring seven towers, started in 2007 and was completed in 2012. At a staggering $15 billion, the towers are owned by the Saudi Arabian government and located in Makkah. The tallest tower which stands at 120 stories features the world's largest clock face. The towers comprise of restaurants, a five-story shopping mall, luxury hotels and condos, and a parking garage.

PHOTO: HASSAN AMAAR

2. Marina Bay Sands Resort, Singapore

Marina Bay Sands Resort, made up of three towers, were opened in Singapore in 2010. At $5.7 billion, it is considered to be one of the world's most expensive casino properties and includes a hotel, convention centre, a mall, a museum, two theatres, an ice rink and seven restaurants.

PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

3. Wynn Resort, Las Vegas

The 614-foot-tall Wynn resort and casino that sits in the Las Vegas Strip comes at a price tag of $4.1 billion. A $1.6 billion expansion commenced in 2016 and is expected to be completed in 2020.

PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

4. The Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas

A set of Las Vegas high-rises called the Cosmopolitan were built in 2010 in Las Vegas. They were built for $3.9 billion.

PHOTO: Arquitectonica

5. One World Trade Centre 

Located in New York City, One World Trade Centre is next to the original WTC which is now a memorial site for the victims of the September 11 attack. Open since 2012, it comes with a $3.8 billion price tag.

PHOTO: PHIL DOLBY

6. The Venetian 

The Venetian is a luxury hotel, casino and mall in Macau. Built in 2005 at a cost of $2.4 billion, the resort stands tall at 738-feet.

PHOTO: KEN WISON LEE

7. Princess Tower, Dubai

The $2.17 billion Princess Tower was constructed in Dubai in 2012 and is home to shops and 763 luxury condos.

PHOTO: The Skyscraper Center

8. Palazzo Casino, Las Vegas

The Palazzo Casino was built on the Las Vegas Strip in 2007 at a cost of $2.05 billion.

PHOTO: The Las Vegas Review Journal

9. Taipei 101

Taipei 101 was aptly given its name for its 101 stories. Hovering over Taiwan, the skyscraper cost $1.8 billion to construct.

PHOTO: BUSINESS INSIDER

10. The Shard, London

London's iconic glass tower was completed in 2012 for $1.5 billion. The 95-story skyscraper looks over the city of London and can be seen from quite a distance.

PHOTO: VISITLONDON.COM

11. The Seat of the European Central Bank, Germany 

The twin skyscraper houses the headquarters of the European Central Bank (ECB) in Frankfurt, Germany and cost $1.25 billion to construct in 2013.

PHOTO: EU BUSINESS

12. Burj Khalifa, Dubai 

Standing at 2,717 feet tall, the Burj Khalifa is the tallest building in the world. The construction, which cost $1.5 billion, lasted from 2004 to 2009. Residential apartments, eight hotels, restaurants, shops and offices can be found inside the building. It also has a spectacular view  from its observation desk.

PHOTO: REUTERS

13. The Kingdom Centre, Saudi Arabia 

The Kingdom Centre, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, cost around $1billion to build. The construction of the 990-foot skyscraper was completed in 2002.

PHOTO: KINGDOMCENTRE.COM

14. Antilia Skyscraper, India 

The Antilia skyscraper serves as Indian business magnate, Mukesh D Ambani's private residence. Built in 2006, the 27-floor skyscraper in South Mumbai cost $1 billion, making it the world's most expensive residential property after Buckingham Palace. The structure has also been designed to withstand a magnitude eight earthquake.

PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA COMMONS

This article originally appeared on Business Insider