Commercial Real Estate Finance

Here’s a look at some of the largest construction projects throughout the world. The projects range in purpose, from entertainment and leisure to scientific research. The results have been ranked by cost, based on U.S. dollars.

10. Great Man-Made River Project – Libya – $27 billion
Since 1985, Libya has been working to irrigate 387,000 acres of arid land and provide several major cities with water.

9. Saadiyat Island – Abu Dhabi – $27 billion
With completion slated for 2018, this project will boast 27 square kilometers of cultural paradise.

8. Sellafield Nuclear Site – England – $30 billion
As the U.K.’s primary nuclear-fuel reprocessing facility, the plant spans 700 acres and employs 11,000 workers.

7. Songdo International Business District – South Korea – $35 billion
When Songdo City is finished in 2016, its population is expected to reach 65,000.

6. Yas Island – Abu Dhabi – $39 billion
An anchor of this project will be Ferrari World Abu Dhabi, predicted to be the world’s largest indoor theme park.

5. South-to-North Water Transfer Project – China – $58 billion
To help alleviate water shortages, the Chinese government is developing the largest water diversion project in history.

4. International Space Station – Space – $60 billion
The 15 countries involved in this ongoing project will collectively spend $60 billion on the continued construction.

3. Dubailand – Dubai – $64 billion
Encompassing 278 square kilometers, Dubailand will be three times larger than Walt Disney World.

2. Jubail II – Saudi Arabia – $80 billion
Named after the original Jubail, this industrial center is getting a $80 billion face-lift.

1. South Valley Development – Egypt – $90 billion
In an attempt to transform the Saharan Desert into inhabitable land, the Egyptian Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has embarked on a reclamation project to channel water to the arid region.

With Middle Eastern nations claiming the most spots on this week’s list, it is evident that development is booming in the region. Will this growth continue, or will boom soon turn to gloom? For a full description of the list above, visit the Architectural Record.

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