Father ties up buildings (7)
I believe the answer is:
palaces
'up buildings' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Perhaps they are linked in a way I don't understand?
'father ties' is the wordplay.
'father' becomes 'pa' (pa can mean dad or father).
'ties' becomes 'laces' (lacing is a kind of tying).
'pa'+'laces'='PALACES'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for palaces that I've seen before include "Offical residences of sovereigns" , "Royal residences" , "kings and queens here?" .)