Like many W&C readers, I’ve had the privilege of visiting some of the world’s most amazing cities. New York, London, and Paris are undeniably spectacular. Yet, two cities stand out to me as truly unique. My reasons are, of course, personal—and shaped by my fascination with construction and design. 

Both cities I’ve chosen share a common trait: they were built to impress. Their creators set out to achieve the extraordinary, and they succeeded beyond imagination.

The first is the historic city of Rome. Its ancient ruins, the Vatican City, and the ever-iconic Colosseum still define the cityscape. Built in 70 A.D., the Colosseum remains enormous even by modern standards. Though in ruins, its remnants reveal what was once a superstructure of staggering scale and sophistication. The surrounding architecture only amplifies the power and prestige the Romans intended to project. 

Rome was built to awe—to remind visitors and dignitaries alike that its empire was not to be trifled with. Standing before its massive columns and marble blocks, each weighing tons, I felt the same sense of wonder that must have struck ancient travelers. Having stood on aircraft carriers and watched stealth planes roar overhead, I can still say that Rome’s grandeur is something else entirely. 

High Impact

The Basilica of Vatican City delivers a similar, perhaps even greater, impact. Together, these structures form a one-two punch of architectural brilliance that solidified Rome as the heart of a mighty empire. Whenever I watch a film about Roman history, I see more than drama—I see a civilization whose power was built into its very stones. 

The second city may surprise some readers: Las Vegas. 

It stands at the opposite end of the spectrum, yet it impresses me just as deeply. I’m not a fan of gambling, neon lights, or the Strip’s constant spectacle. But after working near the Strip and getting to know Las Vegas well, I came to see it differently. 

American Marvel

The Sphere in Las Vegas
Photo: Performance Contracting, Inc.

Then there’s the Stratosphere, with its rollercoaster perched 600 feet above ground. And the city never stops reinventing itself; even if you haven’t visited in years, it’s guaranteed to look completely different when you return. 

Critics often note that Rome was built from real stone and marble, while Las Vegas relies on imitation materials. That’s true—but there’s another side to the story. Rome was built on the backs of slaves from conquered lands. Las Vegas, by contrast, was built and maintained by skilled union labor. I know this firsthand: I was involved in collective bargaining for major trades. 

Union training programs produce highly skilled workers who take pride in their craft. During building booms, tradespeople from across the country flock to Las Vegas, not for the casinos, but for the good wages, benefits, and opportunities to build something lasting. 

If Las Vegas had been built on the exploitation of workers, as Rome once was, it wouldn’t earn a place on my list. But it stands today as a monument to what skilled labor, fair pay, and ambition can achieve. 

So, while Rome’s glory rests in its enduring stone, Las Vegas shines through its relentless reinvention—both cities, in their own way, built to astonish the world.