Architecture is a cyclical business. Just five years ago, the industry was down in the depths, and now the profession, by most measures, is rebounding. 

While bottom-feeding architects are as old as the profession itself, the business challenges facing most mainstream firms are unprecedented.

These projects are ranked on the basis of hard construction costs (including labor and materials, but excluding equipment, land, and design fees). Construction for these projects started between January 1, 2013, and February 28, 2015.

If all goes as planned, Midtown Manhattan will soon add a high-rise to its skyline substantially taller than the Empire State Building.

Eli Broad has his name on several buildings by high-profile architects, including The Broad in Los Angeles by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, opening this fall.