During the Lebanese Civil War from 1975 to 1990, several Beirut buildings were occupied by snipers in what was later referred to as the “Battle of the Hotels.” The construction of the 40-story Beirut Trade Center, also known as Burj al-Murr or the “tower of bitterness,” began in 1974, just a year before the outbreak of war. By 2004, Executive Magazine reported that the $15 million building was 70% complete.
In addition to office space, the Trade Center was intended to house a movie theater and restaurant accessible by helicopter. Architects Camillo Boano and Dalia Chabarek described it as a war-torn artifact that proved challenging to demolish or renovate. Artists have incorporated the unfinished building into their work, with Jad El Khoury creating a temporary installation in 2018, transforming it into Burj El Hawa, the Tower of Air, as reported by Archinect.
Plaza Tower, New Orleans (531 feet)
One of New Orleans’ tallest buildings, Plaza Tower, erected in the 1960s, has faced numerous issues over the years. Originally designed for offices with a few residential units, the $15.5 million building became a health concern due to toxic mold complaints by tenants, including the Orleans Parish district attorney’s office, in 2002. Following Hurricane Katrina, mold and asbestos prompted a gutting of the building in 2014, as reported by The Times-Picayune.
Incidents such as a panel falling on a bicyclist in 2021, a fire in 2022, and a fatal fall in 2023 have marked the building as a public safety hazard. Efforts to salvage the Plaza Tower have proven unsuccessful, leading the city to make plans for its demolition, although the current owner is seeking a buyer instead, according to The Times-Picayune.
909 Chestnut Street, St. Louis (588 feet)
Rosin Preservation recommended adding 909 Chestnut Street, also known as One AT&T Center, to the National Register of Historic Places in 2022. Completed in 1985, the St. Louis skyscraper is among the tallest buildings in the state, boasting a fortress-like base and a façade that appears to stretch endlessly, as described in the report.
After AT&T did not renew its lease in 2017, the building has remained vacant, as reported by CoStar. In 2024, the Goldman Group acquired 909 Chestnut for $3.6 million, a significant decrease from its 2006 price of $205 million. The real estate firm plans to convert the building into 600 apartments, along with amenities such as a pickleball court and a movie theater, as per Fox2.
Sathorn Unique, Bangkok (607 feet)
Known as Thailand’s “Ghost Tower,” the Sathorn Unique
In Caracas, Venezuela, the Centro Financiero Confinanzas, also known as the “Tower of David,” stands abandoned and in ruins. Despite the dangers posed by exposed wires and rusty metals, adventurous travelers venture inside to explore the 45-story building, which was once envisioned by banker David Brillembourg as Venezuela’s own version of Wall Street. However, construction came to a halt in 1994 due to the country’s financial crisis and Brillembourg’s death. The tower became home to around 3,000 residents who turned it into a community with basic amenities like electricity, grocery stores, and water. In 2014, the occupants were evicted for safety reasons, and in 2018, an earthquake caused structural damage to the upper levels of the tower.
Meanwhile, in New York City, the unfinished 1 Seaport building promises luxury living with units priced between $1.5 million and $20 million. However, the building faced issues such as contractors blaming each other for the structure sinking and leaning to the left. Construction has been halted since 2020, with concerns about the building’s stability.
In Los Angeles, the Oceanwide Plaza complex, consisting of three towers, remains incomplete and has become a target for artists and thrill-seekers. The ambitious project was intended to house luxury residential units and a five-star hotel but now sits at about 60% completion after construction ceased in 2019. The company behind the towers filed for bankruptcy, and completing the project would require an estimated $800 million.
Lastly, in Pyongyang, North Korea, the Ryugyong Hotel, also known as the “Hotel of Doom,” stands unfinished and empty. Construction on the pyramid-shaped building began in 1987 but was halted in 1992 due to economic challenges. Despite sporadic attempts to resume construction, the hotel remains incomplete, with estimates suggesting it would take around $2 billion to finish.
The operator, during a visit in 2023, informed Australia’s 9news about the concrete-filled interior of the structure. However, on the exterior, a new LED screen is observed broadcasting propaganda. This structure, known as Skycity in Mandaluyong, Philippines, was intended to rise to a height of 1,099 feet. The plan for the 77-story skyscraper included a hotel, luxurious condos, and a bar, as reported by Esquire Philippines. Unfortunately, the project never came to fruition due to various reasons such as objections from nearby residents, who were concerned about the structure’s height casting a large shadow.
The Goldin Finance 117 Tower in Tianjin, China, standing at a staggering height of 1,957 feet, remains unfinished and rusting as of 2024. The tower was designed to accommodate a hotel, residential condos, and office spaces. Construction on this iconic structure began in 2008 with the vision of a diamond-shaped atrium at its pinnacle, offering breathtaking views of the city’s downtown area. However, financial troubles plagued the developer, Goldin Group, leading to a halt in construction. By the mid-2010s, it was estimated that a whopping $10 billion would be required to complete the project, as reported by Forbes in 2022.
As of now, the Goldin Finance tower stands devoid of cladding on its exterior, silently awaiting a potential resumption of construction activities. The structure remains empty and serves as a poignant reminder of the ambitious plans that never came to fruition. This article was first published in August 2018 and subsequently updated on February 16, 2025. For the full original article, you can refer to Business Insider’s archives.
