Jørn Utzon began work on the Sydney Opera House in 1957, but controversy surrounded the construction. The modern expressionist building wasn't completed until 1973, under the direction of Peter Hall.
During recent years, updates and renovations to the shell-shaped theater have remained a subject of heated debate. Despite the many controversies, the Sydney Opera House is widely praised as one of the world's great landmarks. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2007. The same year, the Sydney Opera became a finalist in the New 7 Wonders of the World campaign.
