In the world of construction, time is a critical factor. Watching a project progress over months—or even years—can be a nerve-wracking experience. Thanks to the power of time-lapse videos in long-term construction projects, we can now witness these changes on-site in a visually stunning format.
From towering skyscrapers to complex infrastructure developments, the five time-lapse videos below capture progress like you’ve never seen before. They make it easy to understand what makes these projects so special. Keep reading, watch the videos, and get a close-up view of human achievements in the fields of engineering and construction. We’re sure you’ll feel like part of the experience.
The Construction of One World Trade Center, New York
The construction of One World Trade Center, built on the ruins of Ground Zero, is a symbol—not just of strength and resilience, but of a project that is greater than the sum of its parts. It includes four office towers, 71 elevators, a 9/11 memorial, a transit hub, an observation deck, a broadcast antenna, and a museum.
This iconic skyscraper rises 1,776 feet tall (the same year the U.S. declared independence), with 104 floors and 45,000 tons of steel—six times more than the Eiffel Tower. The glass facade reflects the light from the memorial pool.
The video documents the long-term construction (8.5 years), showing the building’s evolution until its completion in 2014. It presents the incredible engineering achievement behind a project that cost around $4 billion, making it the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere.
Dubai Creek Tower, Dubai
Dubai is known for its ambitious architectural projects, and the construction of Dubai Creek Tower is no exception. This time-lapse video captures the building process of what is expected to become the tallest tower in the world (928 meters), while also offering a glimpse of Dubai’s ever-changing skyline.
The project, still under construction as of 2025, is expected to include a hotel with about 4,000 rooms and office spaces. Its estimated cost is around one billion dollars.
The Shard, London
The Shard is one of London’s most recognizable landmarks, housing offices, a hotel, a clinic, restaurants, a TV studio, an observation deck, and residential apartments. But the three years of construction involved an extraordinary effort, and the price tag matched: £1.2 billion.
This time-lapse video shows the evolution of the 72-story skyscraper, revealing the creation of an iconic architectural marvel that was once the tallest building in Europe. Another well-known European tower that you might enjoy knowing was also captured in time-lapse is the Eiffel Tower, which we covered in detail here.
The Panama Canal Expansion
The expansion of the Panama Canal was a massive engineering project that lasted nine years, with one goal: to allow larger ships to pass through the canal and thereby increase global trade capacity. This video offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex process of transforming one of the world’s most important waterways.
Burj Khalifa, Dubai
The tallest building in the world (828 meters and 163 floors), the Burj Khalifa is a symbol of Dubai’s ambition and innovation. This video provides a mesmerizing look at the construction of this architectural wonder, from the earliest stages to its completion after six years. The tower includes a hotel, observation decks, restaurants, apartments, a swimming pool, and more.
And of course, right here at home
We also have international-level construction projects that are reshaping the skyline and our reality. One such project is the Kikar Hamedina Towers, which includes three towers, each 40 stories tall. Construction lasted four years, and we had the honor of documenting it.
