Buzz
Many skyscrapers lie vacant, forsaken, or in a state of disrepair. At times, they outgrow their original purpose. Other times, they become too hazardous to enter. There are even cases where these structures were never completed by their creators.
No matter the cause, these structures carry their own histories and serve as an ongoing reminder of what they once represented. This compilation highlights 10 noteworthy skyscrapers that now stand empty.
10. Sterick Building - Memphis, Tennessee
The Sterick Building was finished in 1930, earning the title of the tallest building in the Southern U.S. at the time. It held the record for being the tallest building in Tennessee until 1957 and was affectionately dubbed the 'Queen of Memphis.' Originally an office complex, the building featured a range of amenities including a barber shop, pharmacy, beauty parlor, stockbroker offices, and its own bank.
In the 1960s, the building began its decline. Efforts were made to rejuvenate it, such as a fresh coat of paint that replaced its original white exterior with the yellow-and-tan finish it sports today.
The Sterick Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. However, by the 1980s, it had become vacant and still stands unoccupied. Despite numerous attempts to restore the building, environmental and legal challenges have made it difficult to move forward with any renovation plans.
9. Centro Financiero Confinanzas - Caracas, Venezuela
Construction on a new financial center began in Caracas in 1990, set to be named Centro Financiero Confinanzas and led by investor David Brillembourg. It soon became known by its nickname, 'Tower of David.'
Tragically, Brillembourg passed away in 1993. By 1994, Venezuela was hit by a banking crisis, and the government took over the project. Since then, construction has been frozen.
The building is missing essential features for habitation, such as running water, electricity, and even windows or walls in certain areas. However, in 2007, amidst a severe housing shortage, thousands of squatters moved into the 45-story structure.
In 2014, the government launched an operation to clear the building and relocate its residents. Despite this effort, the building remains unoccupied and is expected to stay that way for the foreseeable future.
8. Insignia Tower - Mexico City, Mexico
Insignia Tower (also known as Torre Insignia) is a 25-story, triangular skyscraper that stood as the second-tallest building in Mexico when it was completed in 1962. Opened in 1964, it initially housed the administration offices of a local housing complex. Later, it became the headquarters for the National Bank of Public Works (Banobras) until it was vacated in 1985 due to the damage caused by an earthquake.
The building has remained vacant ever since. Several attempts have been made to restore the deteriorating structure, with the latest occurring in 2011. Insignia Tower is historically significant for the area and features a large carillon that was played daily while the building was operational. There is considerable interest in revitalizing the building's relevance.
7. Plaza Tower - New Orleans, Louisiana
Plaza Tower is one of the most prominent buildings visible on the New Orleans skyline. The 45-story skyscraper was finished in 1968 and continues to hold the position of the third-tallest building in New Orleans.
Initially serving as an office space, the building remained in use until tenants began raising concerns about mold and asbestos. These issues persisted, ultimately resulting in the tower being vacated in 2002. It was subsequently stripped and underwent environmental abatement to eliminate the mold and asbestos.
The building was sold at auction in 2011 for an undisclosed price. It is unclear whether there are any current plans for its restoration. Plaza Tower was once the tallest building in New Orleans when it was constructed and has remained a prominent feature of the city's skyline.
6. Book Tower - Detroit, Michigan
In 1916, the 13-story Book Building was inaugurated in Detroit, Michigan. A decade later, a 38-story skyscraper was added to the building, and it came to be known as the Book Tower.
Named after the locally famous Book brothers, it became the tallest building in Detroit for two years until the Penobscot Building surpassed it in height in 1928. The building endured through the Great Depression, remaining in use and continuing to be an integral part of the city for decades.
However, Detroit began facing economic decline in the 1970s, prompting many businesses and offices to leave the city. As a result, numerous buildings closed down. Though the Book Tower was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982, it was not spared from the city's overall downturn.
Financial troubles struck the Book Tower. Lawsuits and failed mortgages resulted in frequent ownership changes, and tenant numbers continued to drop. In 2009, the last tenant vacated the building, which has been closed ever since. Shortly after its closure, plans to transform the building into a residential complex were announced, but no progress has been made.
5. Abraham Lincoln Tower - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Abraham Lincoln Tower (also known as Torre Abraham Lincoln) is one of two towers in Rio de Janeiro that were part of an ambitious urban development project in the 1960s. The original plan aimed to create 76 residential towers, but only two were ultimately built.
The design of the towers was entrusted to Lucio Costa and Oscar Niemeyer, the same duo behind the creation of Brasilia, Brazil's capital. While construction on Torre Abraham Lincoln began in 1969, it was halted in 1972 due to concerns over its structural stability. The tower was never completed.
In contrast, its twin structure, Torre Charles de Gaulle, stands fully completed and is in use right next to it. Torre Charles de Gaulle almost serves as a visual representation of what Torre Abraham Lincoln could have looked like.
4. Fontainebleau Resort - Las Vegas, Nevada
The most recent addition to this list, Fontainebleau Resort in Las Vegas, began construction in 2007. The plan was for a towering 220-meter (725 ft) skyscraper that would combine a hotel and resort.
Once finished, it was set to become the tallest building in Las Vegas and significantly boost revenue for the city. However, the recession hit, halting progress.
Banks that had initially committed over $800 million in loans to finish the building withdrew their support, sparking lawsuits between the financial institutions and Fontainebleau. As a result, Fontainebleau, which already operates a location in Miami, Florida, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2009. The project never recovered.
The 68-story structure remains unfinished on the Las Vegas strip. Since construction came to a halt, there have been discussions about potential new projects and even offers to sell the property to other groups. In April 2017, it was announced that the building had been approved for a new exterior. However, the future of the structure remains uncertain.
3. Ryugyong Hotel - Pyongyang, North Korea
Construction of this enormous skyscraper began in Pyongyang in 1987. Had it been completed on schedule, Ryugyong Hotel was set to be the tallest hotel in the world. It was also the first building outside New York City or Chicago to exceed 100 floors. As the world’s largest hotel, it remains unfinished to this day.
Ryugyong Hotel reached its maximum height in 1992, just as the fall of the Soviet Union was underway, and construction was halted. North Korea's economy entered a crisis, and the project was put on hold.
After topping out, the building sat unfinished for 16 years as an imposing concrete structure. In 2008, construction resumed under the management of an Egyptian company. A new glass exterior was added, but no work was done on the interior before construction stopped again.
In 2013, it was announced that Ryugyong Hotel would finally open its doors. However, the plan was canceled due to incomplete interior work. Since then, there have been occasional rumors of its opening, but nothing has materialized.
Now, thirty years after construction first began, Ryugyong Hotel remains incomplete, and it is unclear when or if it will ever open to the public.
2. Sathorn UniqueBangkok, Thailand
Similar to the Fontainebleau Resort, Sathorn Unique became yet another building that fell prey to an economic downturn.
The Sathorn Unique is a 49-story skyscraper located in Bangkok, Thailand. Its construction began in 1990 during a period of economic growth. The building was progressing steadily and had almost reached its peak height before the Asian financial crisis struck, causing economic turmoil.
Due to a shortage of funds—and the building’s architect being arrested for attempted murder—construction was brought to an abrupt halt. The work has yet to resume.
Today, the Sathorn Unique is infamous as the “Ghost Tower.” There are widespread rumors that the abandoned, graffiti-covered skyscraper is haunted. It draws a crowd of thrill-seekers, ghost hunters, vandals, and squatters looking for a place to hide.
The situation became so severe that measures were taken to permanently restrict public access to the tower. However, a few daring trespassers continue to find their way inside. As of now, no plans exist to complete the Sathorn Unique, and its dilapidated state may mean it is never finished.
1. Burj Al MurrBeirut, Lebanon
Located in Beirut, Burj Al Murr is a 34-story structure with seven basement levels that holds significant historical value. The tower was initially intended to house offices and a shopping center, but construction was halted in 1975 when the Lebanese Civil War erupted.
Due to its height and strategic location, Burj Al Murr was quickly seized by an armed militia and repurposed as a tactical stronghold during the intense battles in Beirut. The upper floors were reportedly used as sniper posts, while the lower floors served as makeshift prisons.
There are countless accounts of what transpired within the building during its use in the war. Despite much of Beirut being reduced to rubble, Burj Al Murr remained standing tall.
After the fighting subsided and the building was cleared, it had sustained so much damage that it was deemed unfit for further development. Today, it remains a solemn monument to the conflict that ravaged the city just a few decades ago.
