{"id":9684,"date":"2025-01-05T12:33:31","date_gmt":"2025-01-05T12:33:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kohajone.press\/?p=9684"},"modified":"2025-01-05T12:33:33","modified_gmt":"2025-01-05T12:33:33","slug":"demolished-architectural-wonders-of-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kohajone.press\/?p=9684","title":{"rendered":"Demolished Architectural Wonders Of America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Here are some of the most impressive demolished architectural wonders of America<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Cincinnati Library: replaced by a parking garage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The most beautiful library ever built in the US, with towering cast-iron book alcoves. An institution since 1874, it was demolished in 1955 and the library moved to a new site with more space. Today, a parking garage stands in its place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

2. The Chicago Federal Building (1905 \u2013 1965)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Demolished to make way for larger premises that more government departments could fit into: the modernist Kluczynski Federal Building. Chicago lost what was the largest dome in the US (larger even than the US Capitol), and a wonder of the Beaux-Arts era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Old Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, NYC (1893 \u2013 1929)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you ever wondered what was demolished to make way for the Empire State Building, this is it. A German Renaissance design containing the world\u2019s largest hotel \u2014 which also set the standard for luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

4. The Singer Building (1908 \u2013 1968)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maybe the greatest of the early skyscrapers, and once the tallest building on Earth. When its antiquated floor plan was deemed too inefficient for modern use, it was razed \u2014 and replaced by something far less dignified\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Garrick Theater, Chicago (1891 \u2013 1961)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A wonderfully ornate theater inside what was a landmark of early modern architecture (by Louis Sullivan). Despite considerable protest, it was demolished for a parking garage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"demolished<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

6. Old Penn Station, NYC (1910 \u2013 1963)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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New York\u2019s majestic gateway might be the greatest train station ever built. After just 50 years, it was demolished to make way for Madison Square Garden, and the station pushed underground\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

7. The \u201cMayan Revival\u201d Fisher Theatre, Detroit (1928 \u2013 1961)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This theater still stands (inside the Fisher Building in Detroit), but it was gutted in the 1960s so it could be \u201cmodernized\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"The<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

8. Old Metropolitan Opera House, NYC (1883 \u2013 1967)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When the Metropolitan Opera Association moved to a new venue, rather than risk competition from a new company buying the Old Met, they handed it to developers. It was demolished for bland commercial property to be built.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

9. Old Detroit Library (1877 \u2013 1931)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Like the one in Cincinnati, it had a huge atrium (five-stories) with skylights, ornate iron railings and towering columns. Scaling the tall bookshelves was deemed an inefficient way to run a library in the modern world, so it was demolished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Old<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

10. Festival Hall, St. Louis, (1904 \u2013 1905)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A gem of classicism that became an icon of the World\u2019s Fair held in St. Lous. It was built as a temporary structure (plaster and wood) to host large-scale musical pageants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Festival<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

11. Erie County Savings Bank, Buffalo (1893 \u2013 1968)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A truly unique, Romanesque design that was the city\u2019s most beloved building. It was demolished in an \u201curban renewal\u201d project of the 1960s that saw a bland, modernist tower built instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Erie<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Credit: Culture Critic<\/a><\/p>\n

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