Project Cost

At the time the project was announced in 2006, its estimated cost was $105 million. At the time the construction site was opened in 2009, the cost had risen to $259 million. Why such an increase?

The amount of $105 million was a preliminary estimate for the construction cost of the hall, whereas the amount of $259 million also includes the design, operation, maintenance and funding costs spread over a period of 29 years.

In other words, the amount of $105 million can be compared to the initial amount of money required to buy a new home, while the amount of $259 million can represent the total cost that a new homeowner will have to bear during the lifetime of the new home. This sum of $259 million includes the payment of taxes and general maintenance works regardless of their extent, from simply purchasing cleaning products to changing the roof or windows.