The Surat Diamond Bourse (SDB), located on the outskirts of Surat in Gujarat, India, has officially surpassed the Pentagon as the world’s largest office building. It spans an impressive 6,728,624 square feet—about 55,000 square feet more than the Pentagon.
The sprawling complex, designed by the Indian architectural firm Morphogenesis, comprises nine interconnected rectangular buildings linked by a central corridor, often likened to an airport terminal. The project’s primary goal was not to break records but to meet the massive demand for space from diamond artisans and traders.
“We decided to create something iconic that borrows from its context and the community,” said Sonali Rastogi, co-founder of Morphogenesis.
As the cutting and trading center for 90% of the world’s diamonds, Surat was the natural choice for this landmark building. SDB consolidates over 4,700 offices and workshops, making it the most advanced hub for international diamond and jewelry trade. Its smart design features 131 elevators that allow seamless movement, enabling visitors to reach the top of any building within six minutes.
Costing 32 billion rupees ($388 million), the bourse accommodates over 65,000 people, along with parking for 4,500 cars and 10,000 two-wheelers—rivaling the infrastructure of some small towns. Beyond its sheer size, the complex reflects the bustling spirit of Surat’s diamond trade while setting a global benchmark for functionality and sustainability in large-scale architecture.
What began as a project to unite the diamond industry under one roof has become a global architectural marvel, solidifying Surat’s position as the world’s diamond capital.