18 Famous Structures That Nearly Got Demolished
Imagine a world without the Eiffel Tower or Grand Central Terminal. These iconic landmarks seem permanent fixtures of our cities, but many of them came surprisingly close to being torn down.
Urban development, changing tastes, and economic pressures have threatened some of history’s most beloved buildings and monuments. From coast to coast and around the globe, preservation battles have saved architectural treasures that millions now visit each year.
Here is a list of 18 famous structures that nearly got demolished.
Eiffel Tower
Paris almost lost its most famous landmark just 20 years after it was built. The Eiffel Tower was originally constructed as a temporary structure for the 1889 World’s Fair, with plans to dismantle it in 1909.
Public outcry and the tower’s usefulness as a radio transmission antenna saved it from the wrecking crew, turning what was once considered an eyesore into France’s most visited monument.
Grand Central Terminal
New York’s transportation hub faced demolition in the 1960s when Penn Central Railroad wanted to build a skyscraper on top of it. The proposed tower would have required tearing down the terminal’s iconic facade and main concourse.
Preservationists led by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis fought a legal battle that went all the way to the Supreme Court, ultimately saving this Beaux-Arts masterpiece in 1978.
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Sydney Opera House
Australia’s most recognizable building nearly never got completed due to cost overruns and political disputes. Construction began in 1959 but faced numerous delays and budget increases that ballooned from $7 million to over $100 million.
Politicians seriously considered abandoning the project in the mid-1960s, but public pressure and international attention kept the iconic shell-shaped structure moving toward completion in 1973.
Carnegie Hall
Manhattan’s premier concert venue came within months of demolition in 1960 when its owners planned to replace it with a commercial tower. The legendary hall, which had hosted everyone from Tchaikovsky to The Beatles, was saved when violinist Isaac Stern rallied musicians and patrons to purchase the building.
The city eventually took ownership, ensuring that this acoustic marvel would continue hosting world-class performances.
St. Pancras Station
London’s Gothic Revival railway station faced demolition in the 1960s as part of British Rail’s modernization efforts. The Victorian building, with its elaborate brick facade and soaring train shed, was considered outdated and expensive to maintain.
A passionate campaign by poet John Betjeman and architectural preservationists convinced the government to grant it protected status in 1967, saving one of Britain’s finest examples of railway architecture.
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Penn Station Original
While New York’s original Penn Station couldn’t be saved from demolition in 1963, its destruction sparked the modern preservation movement in America. The loss of this magnificent Beaux-Arts structure, inspired by the ancient Roman Baths of Caracalla, galvanized public opinion against the thoughtless destruction of architectural heritage.
The outcry over Penn Station’s demolition directly led to the creation of New York City’s Landmarks Preservation Commission.
Union Station Los Angeles
LA’s main railway terminal nearly fell to the wrecking crew in the 1970s as train travel declined and the building sat largely empty. The Art Deco masterpiece, which opened in 1939, was considered obsolete and prime real estate for development.
Community activists and preservationists fought successfully to save the structure, which now serves as a vibrant transportation hub and filming location for countless movies and TV shows.
Flatiron Building
New York’s triangular architectural icon faced demolition threats multiple times throughout its history due to its unique shape and relatively small floor plates. The 1902 building’s narrow profile made it less profitable than conventional office buildings, leading various owners to consider tearing it down for redevelopment.
Public affection for the distinctive wedge-shaped structure and its landmark status has protected it from destruction.
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Capitol Records Building
Hollywood’s cylindrical tower, designed to look like a stack of records, nearly got demolished in the 1990s when the music industry was consolidating. The 1956 building’s unique design had become outdated for modern office needs, and Capitol Records considered selling the property for redevelopment.
Fan campaigns and its status as a cultural landmark helped preserve this symbol of the recording industry’s golden age.
Palace of Fine Arts
San Francisco’s romantic ruin was literally crumbling away after being built as a temporary structure for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition. The plaster and burlap construction was never meant to last, and by the 1950s, the deteriorating colonnade and rotunda faced demolition.
Public fundraising campaigns and city intervention led to a complete reconstruction in concrete during the 1960s, preserving Bernard Maybeck’s architectural fantasy.
Detroit’s Michigan Central Station
America’s most famous abandoned train station sat empty for decades while various demolition plans circulated through city hall. The 1913 Beaux-Arts structure became a symbol of Detroit’s decline, with many arguing it was beyond salvation.
Ford Motor Company’s recent purchase and restoration plans have finally given this architectural giant a new lease on life as part of the company’s innovation campus.
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Brooklyn Bridge
New York’s first suspension bridge faced calls for demolition in the 1950s when traffic planners considered it an outdated bottleneck. City officials proposed replacing the 1883 structure with a modern tunnel or wider bridge to handle increasing automobile traffic.
Public opposition and recognition of its historical significance preserved this engineering marvel that continues to carry traffic and pedestrians across the East River.
Christ the Redeemer
Rio de Janeiro’s towering statue nearly got struck by lightning one too many times, leading to serious discussions about its removal in the 1960s. The 98-foot Art Deco figure, completed in 1931, had suffered repeated lightning damage and required constant repairs.
Engineers proposed relocating it to a safer location, but Brazilians refused to move their beloved symbol, opting instead for better lightning protection systems.
Chrysler Building
New York’s Art Deco masterpiece faced demolition consideration in the 1970s when its ornate design was considered old-fashioned and its small floor plates uneconomical. The 1930 skyscraper’s elaborate metalwork and decorative elements were expensive to maintain, leading owners to explore redevelopment options.
Landmark designation and renewed appreciation for Art Deco architecture saved this crown jewel of the Manhattan skyline.
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Tower Bridge
London’s iconic bascule bridge nearly got replaced in the 1960s when engineers deemed it inadequate for modern traffic loads. The 1894 structure’s frequent openings for river traffic created bottlenecks that city planners wanted to eliminate with a fixed span.
Public outcry over losing such a distinctive piece of London’s identity convinced authorities to strengthen the existing bridge rather than replace it.
Space Needle
When the Seattle Center needed room for new construction in the 1980s, demand mounted to demolish the futuristic skyscraper. Better uses of important downtown real estate were impeded by the 1962 World’s Fair construction, which was viewed as an architectural relic and maintenance burden.
City officials were persuaded to refurbish and retain this mid-century modern landmark rather than demolish it due to the tower’s symbolic significance and tourism revenue.
Coney Island Cyclone
As Coney Island deteriorated in the 1970s and 1980s, Brooklyn’s iconic wooden roller coaster was on the verge of being demolished several times. City officials were prepared to demolish the 1927 attraction for safety reasons since they believed it to be antiquated and hazardous in comparison to more recent steel coasters.
This piece of amusement park history, which remains an icon in New York City, was saved by preservationists and thrill-ride fans.
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Hearst Castle
William Randolph Hearst’s opulent California mansion nearly became a subdivision in the 1950s when the Hearst Corporation considered selling and developing the property. The elaborate hilltop estate, with its mix of architectural styles and priceless art collection, was extremely expensive to maintain after Hearst’s death.
The Hearst family’s donation of the property to California in 1957 transformed it from a potential demolition site into one of the state’s most popular tourist attractions.
Architectural Heritage Lives On
Even our most cherished landmarks are not always permanently protected, as these near-misses serve as a reminder. Because people struggled to protect these structures for future generations and saw their worth beyond economic considerations, each of these structures has survived.
These architectural wonders, which could have easily been parking lots or office complexes, are now seen by millions of tourists. The cultural treasures we enjoy today were the result of the preservation struggles of the past, demonstrating that often the most significant struggles are those to preserve things exactly as they are.
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