In the course of our daily reporting, we often uncover unusual projects, places, or connections that don't make the final cut. Instead of keeping it to ourselves, we're pleased to share our weekly architrivia. 

Abraj Al Bait in Mecca, image by Flickr user Yasser Abusen via Creative Commons

Whenever possible, we include the price tags for the projects we cover. Most of these numbers are staggering — the Baoneng Shenyang Global Financial Centre Complex, for example, will cost an estimated $1.6 billion — making them difficult for the average person to contextualize. To give these numbers some meaning, we thought we'd take a look at the most expensive building in the world. According to Wikipedia, this title is held by the Sacred Mosque in Mecca which covers 356,800 square metres and has been growing and renovating for thousands of years. In a more contemporary context, the most expensive skyscraper is the $15 billion, 601-metre Abraj Al Bait, a mixed-use clock tower that is also in Mecca. Occupied by hotel rooms and luxury residences, the project also boasts the highest and largest clock faces in the world.

Do you have city or building trivia to share? Join the conversation in the Architrivia Tipline thread in our Forum.