Throughout history, there have been many incredible feats of construction. From the building of the pyramids to the mysterious construction of Stonehenge, one-of-a-kind structures have come to life in different time periods that still impress us today. These marvels of the modern world deserve to be recognized for their size, complexity, and beauty. Each of the seven feats of modern construction history on our list are the first of their kind and stand out for a variety of reasons.
#1: Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
Opened in December 2018, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge (HZMB) is one of the most amazing construction projects in the world. It is the longest sea-crossing bridge on the planet and includes bridges, tunnels, and artificial islands stretching over 50km.
The bridge connects three cities – Hong Kong, Macao, and Zhuhai – and is located in the Pearl River Delta in East Asia. Over 420,000 tons of steel was used to complete the project, which will cut the commute time between the cities from three hours down to just 30 minutes. Construction began in 2009 and the bridge is designed to stand for 120 years.
#2: Burj Khalifa in Dubai
The Burj Khalifa in Dubai is a building for the record books. It is officially the world’s tallest man-made structure, and one of the most famous buildings in the world. It towers over the Dubai skyline, a striking centerpiece that’s an impressive 830 meters (or 160 stories) tall. The development includes tens of thousands of homes, hotels, parks, a mall, and even a man-made lake. Construction began in 2004 and was completed five years later in 2009.
#3: Palm Islands Dubai
Another impressive feat of construction in Dubai is the Palm Islands. This is considered one of the most famous construction projects in the world.
The artificial islands project adds 520 kilometers to the Dubai coastline. Palm Island consists of three artificial islands, Palm Jumeirah, Deira Island, and Palm Jebel Ali. Construction began in 2001 with Palm Jumeirah opening in November 2011. The other two islands are still under construction and require enormous amounts of dredging and concrete to form the final project.
#4: London Crossrail Project
The London Crossrail Project is the world’s first underground train system. Stretching 73 miles, the railway line connects London with Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Essex. The idea is to create a high frequency and high capacity transportation service, which will make travel easier and quicker.
The estimated cost of construction is $23 billion and includes 41 accessible stations, which will serve 200 million people each year. Construction began in 2009 with a revised completion date of late 2020 or early 2021.
#5: Great Man-Made River Project in Libya
The “Great Man-Made River” (GMR) project in Libya has been under construction since 1985. It is the largest irrigation project in the world, and will irrigate more than 350,000 acres of land when completed.
It will also substantially increase the availability of drinking water in Libya’s urban centers. The project is scheduled for completion in 2030 and will boast the largest underground network of pipes and aqueducts in the world. Overall, the project consists of 1,300 wells and supplies more than 6,500,000 m3 of fresh water.
#6: China Central Television (CCTV) Headquarters in Beijing
In Beijing, you will find one of the most unique buildings on the planet. Designed by Rem Koolhaas and Ole Scheeren of OMA, the engineering of CCTV is stunning and stands out in a sea of skyscrapers.
Standing at 234 meters tall and with 54 floors, the building offers a one-of-a-kind three-dimensional experience. Visible from most of Beijing, the CCTV building offers an unusual take on the skyscraper typology.
#7: Regatta Hotel Complex in Jakarta
When it comes to amazing construction, the Regatta Hotel Complex in Jakarta is a five-star hotel and apartment building complex that cannot be beat. Designed by Atelier Enam, who based the entire project on a nautical theme, the structure looks aerodynamic and beautiful.
The mixed development complex includes 11 skyscrapers and 11 hectares of land. The tallest of the towers is the hotel, which is 163 meters tall and includes 40 floors. As for the ten apartment towers, they look like tall ships sailing around the central “lighthouse” hotel.
Learn More about VIP Structures
VIP Structures is an integrated design-build firm located in Syracuse, NY. Our company offers all-in-one solutions for architecture, engineering, and construction. For more information, call us at 315-471-5338 or visit our website.
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images: China CCTV HQ, London Crossrail Project, Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge
