We all know quite a bit about the tallest structures in the world. At the same time, they have become very important for the cityscape and are recognized as symbols of human technical achievements. But there are some such structures of modern architecture, tall skyscrapers that were never completed or not built according to the original design. The Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) has published a list of them. Construction work began on all of these, but was then discontinued. We introduce you to ten of these skyscrapers.

skyscraper cityscape ny view

The modern architecture of the second World Trade Center

A second World Trade Center was planned in New York. The planned building should be around 400 m high. The modern facade design should correspond to the urban environment. The project was launched in 2016 stopped below the planned height and the reason was that the main investors no longer wanted to operate in this city.

Lam Tara Tower 1. To be built in Dubai. 454 meters high.

The other example of unfinished modern architecture comes from Dubai. The planned height here was around 450m. The building should be part of the Bin Manana Twin Towers complex and have 88 floors. It started in 2008 and remained unfinished until 2010.

The planned skyscraper in Moscow on a postage stamp

skyscraper moscow idea

Palace of the Soviets. Planned in Moscow with a statue of Lenin.

That was a project by architects Boris Iofan and Vladimir Shchuko and he should get over it just under 500m to raise. It was started in 1937. The project was interrupted due to the beginning of the Second World War. A statue of Vladimir Lenin was to be placed at the top of the building. Precisely because of that it would have been the tallest building at the time.

Burj Al Alam. Planned skyscraper in Dubai

Another example of unfinished glamorous modern architecture comes again from Dubai. The project was to be implemented by the Engineering Consultants Group of the city of Arup. The amount of this Project is 510m. There should be space for retail stores at the bottom. 74 additional floors were to rise above it. After the crisis in 2008, the building was no longer erected in 2009. The reason was delays in payments.

Doha Convention Center Tower. Skyscraper project in Doha, Qatar

The construction of this modern architecture was interrupted in 2007. The reason was that it could be a disruption for the planes arriving in Doha. In the end, however, the construction of this complex did not include the tower, which gave the building its actual height 551 meters should achieve.

The project for this skyscraper is not completed

skyscraper chicago idea

Chicago Spire. Scheduled in Chicago, Illinois. Approx. 609 meters.

That would have been the tallest building in the United States. After many financial problems, the project for this striking example of modern architecture was discontinued. There are now a lot of offers and ideas for using the original building. However, none of the proposed projects has been implemented so far.

612 high skyscraper – Russia Tower in Moscow

Russia Tower in Moscow should also become a symbol of modern architecture. The project started in 2006. It took 12 years of planning and changes in advance. Different opinions about the design and style had been considered. The project was temporarily suspended in 2008 and then finally in 2009 as a result of the financial crisis.

India Tower in Mumbai, India. Almost 700 meters.

Our next example is from Mumbai, India. It is a project by the famous company Foster + Partners. This example of modern architecture started in 2010. However, it was interrupted in 2012. The reason was a dispute between the developers of the project and the city authorities. Construction was completely discontinued in 2015.

This skyscraper is super modern. Maybe his time in advance?

chengsha china skyscraper

Sky City, planned for Changsha, China. 838 meters

This building should be around 840m high and it would have to be built within 90 days. Here super efficient methods for prefabrication of some components should be used. In the pre-construction phase in particular, the project was discontinued and that happened in 2013. The continuation of the project began again in 2016. The base for this building is currently used as a breeding site for fish.

Nakheel Tower – ambitious example from Dubai, 1000 meters

This is the most challenging unfinished modern architecture project on our list. It should include 200 floors. Construction should start in 2009. The realization of the project stopped due to the financial crisis.

Here are the 10 unfinished skyscrapers in comparison!

Skyscraper unfinished in comparison