Ambitious projects often come with exorbitant costs, as realizing engineering marvels is never a budget-friendly endeavor. While the financial investment in a grand palace, a luxurious resort, or an elegant mansion can be quantified, the durability of such structures remains largely uncertain.
A structure may endure for a century before succumbing to decay within a mere decade. Entire Olympic complexes, costing billions, can be abandoned once the last event concludes. From bustling theme parks that have fallen silent to majestic homes now mere husks, a plethora of forgotten places exists in the world.
Could you fathom investing over $40 million into a project that ends up lasting only a few years? It’s definitely not a business for the risk-averse. Keep reading to uncover the real stories behind some of the world’s most expensive abandoned structures.
1. Ryugyong Hotel
Location: North Korea
Year: 1987
Cost: $750 million*
While hotel chains such as Hilton are well-known for their widespread presence, there’s a lesser-known giant in the hospitality world: the Ryugyong Hotel. This towering structure, standing at 1,080 feet tall, began construction in Pyongyang, North Korea, in 1987.
Even after a staggering investment of over $750 million, the Ryugyong Hotel, also known as the 105 Building, remains unopened. Construction was abruptly halted in 1992, and although the exterior was finally completed in 2011, plans for a partial opening in 2018 never materialized. This incredibly expensive hotel now stands as a vacant monument, casting a shadow over the surrounding district.
The question lingers: will the Ryugyong Hotel ever fulfill its intended purpose, or is it a lost cause? With such a substantial investment already made, the prospect of turning the tide seems bleak. The future of this ambitious project remains uncertain, leaving many to wonder if it will ever become more than just a costly reminder of unrealized dreams.
2. Land of Oz
Location: North Carolina
Year: 1970
Cost: $5 million*
Few places in the world are as eerie as the abandoned Land of Oz theme park in North Carolina. Inspired by the 1939 movie and the original novels, this resort was meticulously designed by Jack Pentes, costing a staggering $5 million. The park featured over 44,000 bricks, all glazed in yellow, to immerse guests in the ultimate Oz experience.
Carrie Fisher, known for her role in Disney’s Star Wars, inaugurated the park in 1970. However, tragedy struck in 1975 when a fire destroyed two key buildings housing much of the equipment. Despite efforts to keep the park running, it closed its doors in 1980 and remained abandoned for the next 40 years. In 2019, some parts of the park were restored, and it now opens on limited days throughout the year.
Today, visitors can explore certain areas of the theme park on select days each year, offering a glimpse into its former glory. While there is still much work to be done, it is heartening to see that Dorothy and her friends haven’t been entirely forgotten…
3. The Aquatics Stadium
Location: Rio de Janeiro
Year: 2014
Cost: $38 million*
When Rio de Janeiro secured the bid for the 2016 Olympics, the city went all out in building a top-notch Aquatics Stadium for the swimming and water polo finals. It was essential to look impressive for the global audience, especially with coverage on Comcast’s NBC Sports. The construction of the venue, costing $38 million, began in 2014.
The construction of the building required a substantial investment of capital and a tremendous amount of labor to finish. Despite initial government plans to repurpose the venue or salvage the pool for use elsewhere after 2016, these intentions were never realized. As a result, the entire structure now sits abandoned, deteriorating over time.
Regrettably, this fate is not unique to this Olympic structure. Similar situations have occurred in host cities around the world, where venues built for the games struggle to find meaningful use in the years following the event.
4. San-Zhi Pod City
Location: Taiwan
Year: 2010
Cost: $50 million+*
For more than thirty years, San-Zhi Pod City in Taiwan stood abandoned and unfinished. Construction of its brightly colored, UFO-shaped houses began in 1978 during a time when avant-garde architecture was popular. Originally intended as a vacation destination for U.S. military officers, the project was never completed.
By 1980, a string of bizarre incidents and mishaps had caused investors to hemorrhage money. Rather than finishing the project, they abandoned the site, leaving it untouched. It soon became a magnet for urban explorers, many of whom documented their adventures on YouTube.
These videos revealed the peculiar interiors of the pods, which resembled compact apartments. Each unit featured an open-plan kitchen and living area, with a cozy bedroom tucked away to the side. One can’t help but wonder: Could this endeavor have thrived if circumstances had been different?
5. Coco Palms Resort
Location: Hawaii
Year: 1953
Cost: $135 million*
Opened in 1953, the Coco Palms Resort in Hawaii quickly became a beacon of luxury, attracting the attention of Hollywood. Columbia Pictures, a subsidiary of Sony, chose this exquisite location to film parts of Rita Hayworth’s “Miss Sadie Thompson” shortly after its grand opening.
During its heyday, Coco Palms was a luxurious paradise, drawing visitors back time and time again. However, its fortunes changed in 1992 when it was ravaged by a hurricane. In 2016, there were ambitious plans to revitalize the resort with new investments, aiming to restore it to its former splendor. Unfortunately, the deal fell through, leaving Coco Palms in its current state as an abandoned relic.
Coco Palms holds a special significance for Elvis fans, as the King himself filmed Blue Hawaii at the resort, even using its facilities for his character’s wedding scene. Today, enthusiasts still flock to the ruins, eager to explore Elvis’ favorite bungalow and soak in the history of this once-glamorous retreat.
6. Istana Woodneuk
Location: Singapore
Year: 1932
Cost: $3.7 billion*
Nestled near the Singapore Botanic Gardens is Istana Woodneuk, an expansive palace with a rich history. Originally constructed in 1932, this impressive two-story building served as the residence of Sultan Ibrahim and his wife, Sultanah Helen, who was of Scottish descent.
In 1990, the government acquired Tyersall Park and its estate, but rather than restoring it, the palace was left to deteriorate, despite its significant value. A massive fire in 2006 further damaged the property, rendering it dangerously dilapidated and ultimately irreparable.
Considering the staggering cost of constructing the palace initially, totaling $3.7 billion including furnishings, its current state is a profoundly tragic tale. Today, the palace stands as an empty shell amidst lush greenery and neglected gardens, highlighting a stark contrast between its former grandeur and current desolation.
7. NRG Astrodome
Location: Houston
Year: 1962
Cost: $300 million*
When the NRG Astrodome was constructed in 1962, much of the project’s responsibility fell on the shoulders of Houston’s mayor, Roy Hofheinz. Hofheinz enthusiastically supported the concept of a versatile, modern stadium capable of attracting large crowds. The groundbreaking ceremony for this $300 million project took place in 1962.
Houston’s Astrodome, once a bustling hub for major sports teams and a shelter during Hurricane Katrina, now sits abandoned and partially demolished due to fire code violations. Despite various efforts to save it, the iconic venue remains in limbo. In contrast, the NRG Stadium, formerly Reliant Stadium, has become the new focal point for Houston’s sports scene. This modern stadium, complete with a retractable roof, was constructed in 2000, signaling a new era in sports infrastructure and making the Astrodome seem even more outdated by comparison.
8. Burj Al Babas
Location: Turkey
Year 2014
Cost: $200 million*
In 2014, developers began construction on Burj Al Babas, located between Istanbul and Ankara. The project aimed to create a collection of luxurious, white homes to attract buyers seeking vacation properties in a scenic location. With a $200-million-dollar investment, the developers anticipated a profitable venture. However, the project ultimately became a costly and futile endeavor.
The French-style residences resemble tiny Disney castles, yet they were left unfinished when the project’s company went bankrupt in 2018. While 587 buildings were finished, the fate of the project is uncertain as it seeks a path forward from its once ambitious plans.
The best scenario would involve developers selling all units and completing the unfinished ones. The alternative, a demolition project, would likely exceed the original construction costs. Let’s remain optimistic that a cost-effective solution can be found, benefiting all parties involved.
9. Chernobyl
Location: Ukraine
Year: 1193
Cost $1.5 billion*
Constructing nuclear power plants is inherently expensive, and any mishap can incur significant costs. The Chernobyl disaster epitomizes the culmination of these worst-case scenarios. The Vladimir Ilyich Lenin Nuclear Power Plant, erected on the outskirts of Pripyat in 1972, created numerous job opportunities for urban residents.
Following the Chernobyl disaster in 1986, the surrounding area became so heavily contaminated with nuclear radiation that it was abandoned. While 14,000 people lived in the vicinity at the time, only 1,000 people remain today. The town is filled with abandoned homes, alongside those marked with signs indicating that the owners still live there. HBO’s miniseries, released in 2019, transformed the disaster into an award-winning series.
The Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath hold a significant place in history. Chernobyl stands as a stark, permanent reminder of the dangers associated with nuclear power, highlighting the fragility of entire cities, even when they seem sturdy.
10. Submarine Base
Location: Balaklava, Ukraine
Year: 1953
Cost: $1.3 billion*
Following World War II, Joseph Stalin commissioned a skilled designer, known for handling top-secret projects, to construct a clandestine submarine storage facility. The location had to be covert and entirely imperceptible. Eventually, they identified Balaklava in Ukraine and commenced the construction of an elaborate subterranean bunker. This ambitious endeavor spanned eight years and cost $1.3 billion.
In 1993, it closed its doors completely, becoming open and unsecured, allowing anyone to come and go as they pleased. Seven years later, it was acquired by Ukraine’s army and eventually transformed into a military museum with a captivating, albeit somber, history.
Today, visitors can explore the peculiar tunnels, experiencing a setting reminiscent of Thunderbirds. With its fascinating past, this location is a must-visit for history enthusiasts or anyone seeking an intriguing activity in the area.
11. Power Plant IM, Belgium
Location: Charleroi, Belgium
Year: 1921
Cost: $500 million-$1 billion to build*
Nestled in a Charleroi neighborhood in Belgium, this abandoned power plant resembles a scene from a sci-fi film. Constructed in 1921, Power Plant IM was once one of the nation’s largest coal-burning facilities. It served as the primary energy source for the town, with the capacity to cool 480,000 gallons of water per minute.
However, in 2006, Power Plant IM’s reputation took a nosedive when Greenpeace obtained information revealing that it accounted for 10% of CO2 emissions in Belgium. This led to protests and a significant amount of negative publicity, ultimately resulting in IM’s closure in 2007. Despite being “scheduled for demolition” for years, the plant remains a popular destination for urban exploration enthusiasts.
12. Osaka Maritime Museum, Suminoe-ku, Japan
Location: Osaka Bay, Suminoe-ku, Japan
Year: 2000
Cost: $93 million to build*
For over ten years, this immense, domed edifice served as the Osaka Maritime Museum’s headquarters, dedicated to delving into the city’s rich history and culture. The award-winning structure boasted exceptional weather resistance and could be accessed via an underwater tunnel. Its centerpiece was a life-sized replica of an Edo-period trading vessel, captivating visitors with its historical significance.
Currently, this French-designed structure sits empty and abandoned due to declining museum attendance and insufficient funding. While residents and visitors can still admire the dome from the bay, they are unable to explore the museum, a disappointing turn of events for Japanese maritime enthusiasts.