The Copenhagen Opera House began construction in 2001 and finished in 2004. It is built across the water from the Dutch Royal Palace and is also in line with Frederick’s Church. This building is the most expensive opera house ever built, with a final price tag of over half a billion dollars. This building was “donated” to the government but in return the entire project paid for itself in tax deductions. So in reality the government was forced to buy it through tax deductions.