10 most important buildings in the world, ranked

From the London Eye to Tower Bridge and Buckingham Palace, there are so many incredible landmarks to see during a trip to England's capital. But if you only have time to go and see a few, a new study has revealed which two you must visit. According to a ranking of the world’s 10 most important buildings and infrastructures, it’s Battersea Power Station and The Shard that come out on top in London (Picture: Getty Images)

The same list, created by Tomorrow Building World Congress, places the Burj Khalifa in Dubai in the number one spot, closely followed by DXB Airport, also in Dubai.

1. Burj Khalifa, Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
2. DXB Airport, Dubai (United Arab Emirates)
3. CN Tower, Toronto (Canada)
4. NAC (Egypt)
5. Mass Transit Railway (Hong Kong)
6. Gardens by the Bay (Singapore)
7. Battersea Power Station, London (United Kingdom)
8. The Lotus Temple, New Delhi (India)
9. The Shard, London (United Kingdom)
10. Eurotunnel, English Channel (France/United Kingdom)

Battersea Power Station came in 7th place in the top 10, with the research looking at its history supplying London with electricity from the 1930s until it was decommissioned in the 80s. The building sat empty for three decades before a regeneration product began in 2012 to transform it into a residential and commercial district, and it re-opened in 2022 with a shopping centre inside (Picture: Getty Images)

The Shard came in ninth place on the list, famed for transforming London’s skyline and being the tallest building in the UK, standing at 309 meters. It has multiple uses, containing residential apartments, a hotel, office space, as well as various restaurants and bars. There’s also a viewing platform for tourists to look out over the city. Tomorrow Building World Congress said it was particularly notable as ‘in its first year, it welcomed one million tourists and garnered 900,000 mentions on Instagram' (Picture: Getty Images)

To compile the rankings, the team analysed notable new infrastructures and buildings around the world over the last 50 years. They specifically focused on those which had garnered the most Google searches and Instagram mentions. The full list doesn’t just feature skyscrapers though, it’s also made up of efficient transportation systems, repurposed obsolete infrastructures, and even the creation of entirely new cities. Also featured are the CN Tower in Toronto, Canada, and the NAC (New Administrative Capital) in Egypt (Picture: Getty Images)

What do people really think of Battersea Power Station and the Shard?

As with everything in life, these iconic buildings are a bit like Marmite in that people either love or hate them, but overall both the power station and Shard have very high scores on Tripadvisor and Google. With a 4.6/5 rating on Google, many people have praised Battersea Power Station as an ‘exceptional’ shopping destination, with one reviewer writing: ‘Such a beautiful way to use an old building' (Picture: Getty Images)

A top five star review by Robert Birkholz highlights what people love about the building and why it’s likely made the list. It reads: ‘Battersea Power Station is an exceptional shopping destination that offers something for everyone, including a wide variety of shops, bars, and restaurants. Located within one of London’s most iconic landmarks—a historic coal-fired power station—it seamlessly blends history with modernity' (Picture: Getty Images)

During late November, the site becomes even more enchanting with beautiful festive decorations. Outside, visitors can enjoy a charming Winter Wonderland featuring an ice rink and numerous other seasonal activities. What truly sets this destination apart is its thoughtful preservation of history. Scattered throughout the venue are fascinating exhibits and details highlighting the power station’s legacy as a powerhouse that once supplied electricity to a fifth of London. Battersea Power Station strikes the perfect balance between being a cultural landmark and a vibrant shopping hub. It’s a must-visit for both history enthusiasts and those seeking a unique shopping and leisure experience' (Picture: Getty Images)

However, not everyone is a fan, with some claiming that it’s ‘hell on Earth’ and ‘soulless’. One recent review, by a user simply known as City Girl, said: ‘Great place to go if you absolutely love to get lost. Otherwise this place is hell on Earth. A billion maps with no indication of where you are, so orientating the location is really difficult. There’s no signage to the tube station. The interactive maps in the shopping also don’t work so good flipping luck finding a specific store. Whoever designed this place should make escape rooms instead' (Picture: Getty Images)

The Shard also has scored 4.6/5 on Google reviews, with thousands describing the experience of visiting as ‘fantastic’ and ‘amazing’ – even the toilets are said to be impressive. A recent five star post by Ajay Kumar says: ‘I recently visited The Shard, and the experience was unforgettable. The panoramic views from the observation deck are breathtaking, offering a stunning perspective of London’s iconic skyline. The hospitality was top-notch, with staff members ensuring a smooth and enjoyable visit' (Picture: Getty Images)

And yes, the view from the men’s toilet is hilariously impressive – who knew such a mundane place could offer such a spectacular vista? It’s a quirky, memorable touch that adds to the overall charm of The Shard. Highly recommended for both the scenery and the service!’ But there were others who weren’t so blown away by the famous spot, saying their visit was ‘simply ok’, or that they left feeling ‘frustrated and disappointed’. Some also felt it was ‘too expensive’ to visit (Picture: Getty Images)