10 Famous Buildings You MUST See

There are buildings around the world that are so beautiful and amazing that everyone should see them in person. Some of these buildings stand out with their unique architecture, history, and design. Here is a list of ten one-of-a-kind buildings you should see:

Petronas Twin Towers.

The first location on your list should be Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Here, you can find the Petronas Towers, commonly known as the Petronas Twin Towers. From 1998 to 2008, they held the title of the world’s tallest buildings and continue to be an iconic landmark of Kuala Lumpur.

These towers, designed by Argentinian architect César Pelli, showcase a postmodern, simple, and bold style.

The project began in January 1992. Tests and simulations were conducted to ensure building stability and safety. Construction commenced in 1993 and concluded seven years later. Malaysia also witnessed its largest concrete pour, lasting 54 hours.

Interior design finished in 1996, and the personnel moved in the following year. The towers consist of 88 floors and are constructed with reinforced concrete and a steel and glass façade.

The White House.

Another notable building is the White House, located at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest, Washington, D.C. It has served as the residence of every U.S. president since 1800. Designed by Irish architect James Hoban, the neoclassical structure was built from 1792 to 1800.

Thomas Jefferson expanded the White House in 1801, adding two colonnades to conceal the stables and storage areas.

The building was almost destroyed in 1814 during the war. The interior was destroyed and the exterior was charred by the British army. It was then restored and expanded over the years. In 1901, president Theodore Roosevelt built the West Wing and relocated all work officers there.

In 1948, the interior rooms were dismantled and a new load-bearing steel frame was constructed. After these modifications, the current White House includes the Executive Residence, West Wing, East Wing, the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, and the Blair House.

Saint Basil’s Cathedral.

This is Saint Basil’s Cathedral. Its official names are Cathedral of the Protection of Most Holy Theotokos on the Moat or Pokrovsky Cathedral. It’s a Russian orthodox church located in Red Square in Moscow. Also known as Cathedral of St. Vasily the Blessed, the church was built from 1555 to 1561 on Ivan the Terrible’s orders.

It commemorates the capture of Kazan and Astrakhan.

The cathedral in Moscow, formerly known as Trinity Church, is located in the city center. It was once the tallest building until the completion of the Ivan the Great Bell Tower in 1600. The cathedral consists of nine side churches, with an additional tenth church added in 1588 to honor local saint Vasily. Its distinctive design resembles the flame of a bonfire, making it unique among other buildings. In 1928, the cathedral was confiscated from the Russian Orthodox community during the Soviet Union’s anti-theist campaigns and transformed into the State Historical Museum.

Since 1990, it has held a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation.

Next on our list is the Empire State Building. Situated in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, this 102-story skyscraper has a roof height of 1,250 feet and stands 1,454 feet high. The name of the building was inspired by the nickname of New York City, the Empire State.

It held the title of the world’s tallest building for 40 years, from its completion in 1931 until the World Trade Center surpassed it in 1972.

It is now the third-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States and the 22nd-tallest in the world. The building’s art décor style and design have made it one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World. Recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1986, the Empire State Building is owned by 2800 investors in Empire State Building Associates L.L.C. It also holds the distinction of being the tallest LEED certified building in the United States, having received the gold Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Burj Khalifa.

Burj Khalifa, also known as Burj Dubai, is currently the world’s tallest man-made structure, standing at a height of 829.8 meters. It is situated in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

Construction began in 2004 and the skyscraper’s exterior was completed in 2009. Officially, the building opened in 2010. It is part of a 2 square kilometer development called Downtown Dubai.

The tower, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill of Chicago, with Adrian Smith as chief architect, and Bill Baker as chief structural engineer, was named Burj Khalifa to honor UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support after the project’s completion, which coincided with the global financial crisis of 2007-2012 and necessitated financial assistance from Abu Dhabi.

Let’s move to Italy, home to one of the most famous buildings in the world: the Colosseum. Originally named the Amphitheatrum Flavium, the Colosseum is the largest amphitheatre in the world. It is located in the center of Rome, Italy.

The Coliseum, an elliptical structure commissioned by the Roman Empire, was constructed using concrete and stone. Built between 72 and 80 AD under emperors Vespasian and Titus, with later modifications by Domitian, its original name, Amphitheatrum Flavium, was derived from the Flavia family name. This architectural marvel can hold 50,000 spectators and was initially utilized for gladiatorial contests, executions, animal hunts, re-enactments of battles, and dramatic performances based on Classical mythology.

Taj Mahal.

Another building with great history is the Taj Mahal, located in Agra, India. The Taj Mahal, a mausoleum built of white marble, was constructed by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal.

The chosen style for this building combines elements from Islamic, Persian, Ottoman Turkish, and Indian architecture. The Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. What is often overlooked is that the Taj Mahal, in addition to the white marble mausoleum, is a complex of structures.

Construction began in 1632 and was completed 20 years later. The tomb is the focal point of the entire complex, standing on a square plinth and exhibiting a symmetrical shape.

There are modern buildings that are amazing works of art, such as the Sydney Opera House. This arts center, located in the center of Sydney, Australia, was designed by Danish architect Jørn Utzon and opened in 1973. It has multiple performance venues.

The building hosts over 1,500 performances annually and is a top visitor attraction in Australia, drawing in more than seven million people. Administered by the Sydney Opera House Trust, it earned UNESCO World Heritage Site status in 2007. The modern expressionist design consists of precast concrete panels forming the roof, covered in glossy white and matte cream Swedish-made tiles.

Its dimensions are 183 m long and 120 m wide.

Buckingham Palace.

The Buckingham Palace is a must-see building. It serves as the official residence and workplace of the British monarch, symbolizing the nation.

The building, originally called Buckingham House, is the core of the palace. It was a townhouse built in 1705 for the Duke of Buckingham, which is how it got its name. George III acquired the house in 1761, and it became Queen Charlotte’s private residence and was later renamed The Queen’s House.

In the 19th century, the building expanded with the addition of three wings in the courtyard. It officially became Buckingham Palace, the royal palace of the British monarch, in 1837.

The Flatiron Building, also known as the Fuller Building, is a spectacular skyscraper in Manhattan, New York. Completed in 1902, it was one of the city’s tallest buildings at that time. The name refers to its resemblance to a cast-iron clothes iron.

The building, constructed in 1966, was designated as a New York City landmark, later added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The site, purchased by Amos Eno in 1857, eventually changed hands and was acquired by Cumberland Realty Company. This company, founded by the CEO of the Fuller Company, developed the plans for the building, which was designed to serve as their headquarters and became known as the Fuller building.