Photos Of Beautiful Buildings Before They Were Lost To History

This photograph shows the elegant domes, spires, and piers of the lavish Saltair Pavilion. Opened in 1893 in the resort town of Saltair, Utah, the pavilion overlooked the Great Salt Lake, famous for the extraordinary buoyancy it gives to swimmers. Known as the “Coney Island of the West,” this resort seemed cursed from the start. Catastrophe hit the first Saltair Pavilion in 1925 when a fire largely destroyed the structure. A new pavilion was built, but more disaster loomed: two more fires caused terrible damage, and the resort struggled in the aftermath of World War II. After a few failed attempts to save it, the beautiful structure was left to fall apart in the 1960s before a final fire destroyed it in 1970.

This imposing structure is the Paleis voor Volksvlijt, which was completed in 1864. Its Dutch name translates as “Palace of Industry,” and it was built as an exhibition hall. Said to have been influenced by the 1851 Crystal Palace in London, it, too, was lost to a fire. On the fateful night of April 17, 1929, a devastating fire engulfed the palace, leaving it in ruins. Although the gallery that held stores and apartments managed to survive the blaze, the main building suffered irreversible damage and was never rebuilt. It's intriguing to note that acclaimed writer Gerard Reve resided in one of the gallery apartments during the 1950s, adding a touch of literary history to the location. But the gallery itself met its demise in 1960 when it was demolished to pave the way for the construction of the new Nederlandsche Bank building.

This ornately decorated Beaux-Arts building stood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the golden days of railroad travel. Dreamed up by Theodore Link, it was the terminus of the Wabash-Pittsburgh line when it opened in 1904. It loomed over Pittsburgh at a height of almost 200 feet over 11 floors and was really a sight to behold. The structure cost $800,000 to build, which equates to around $26 million in modern money. Sadly, this beautiful railroad station burned down in the spring of 1946 when it was engulfed by two major fires within a month. Demolition of the ruined building began on October 5, 1953.

Rather battered but undeniably quaint, this ancient building was said to be the oldest house in Hamburg when this photo was taken in 1898. Dating back to 1524, the structure housed apartments as well as stores and an inn. Signs on the front of the building include one that reads “Haarschneide-Salon,” which is German for hairdresser. Despite much opposition from local residents, the building was pulled down in 1910 to make way for a modern shopping street. And this little piece of history was lost forever.

This imposing building in Toronto, with its soaring chimneys and elegant turrets, was inspired by the grand chateaux of France. Completed in 1915 after four years of construction, it was the official residence of five of Canada’s Lieutenant-Governors, where distinguished guests would attend receptions and balls, until 1937 when it shut down due to financial reasons. Chorley Park was later taken over as a military hospital until 1953. The impressive building was bought by the city in 1960, and it was torn down a year later to make room for a public park.

This extremely historic building was built in the mid-1800s. Photographed here in the early part of the 20th century, the splendid Mathewson Hotel stood on the beachfront in Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island. After subsequent extensions, it could host up to 500 guests, who could enjoy fine food and bathe in fresh and seawater baths. In its hay day, the Mathewson Hotel was the epitome of luxury, but by 1919 it was past its sell-by-date and was struggling to attract enough visitors, so it was demolished.

With enchanting ambiance enough to make it reminiscent of a medieval city street, this picturesque vista shows the timeless allure of Hildesheim, located in Lower Saxony, Germany. Boasting a rich heritage dating back to at least the 9th century, this city bears witness to centuries of history. However, Hildesheim was not immune to the ravages of World War II as the Allies surged through Lower Saxony, resulting in fierce battles and devastating aerial bombardments. Tragically, in March 1945, the historic city center of Hildesheim fell victim to intensive destruction, leaving behind poignant reminders of the price paid during those tumultuous times.

Photographed here in all its splendor is the reading room of the Detroit Public Library. This beautiful structure was opened in the mid-1800s and was a huge leap forward for the city, whose population was still very small and poor, and many of them could not read. The Michigan building’s centerpiece was this extraordinary reading room with its intricately decorated iron pillars framing the long shelves of books. The library was pulled down in 1931 to be replaced with a more modern library, and this stunning piece of Detroit literary history was lost forever, except for a few magnificent photographs.

Seen here in 1961, the Chicago Federal Building opened for business in 1905. Designed by Henry Cobb, its magnificent 300-foot tall cupola stood proud over downtown Chicago for six decades. Sparing no expense, the builders used white and Siena marble, polished granite, and gilded bronze. The beautiful building housed a post office and courtrooms and was the location of many notable events, including a large bomb explosion in 1918 that killed four people. It notably held the trial of gangster Al Capone in 1931, and Walt Disney worked at the post office for the summer of 1918. Sadly, the structure was pulled down in 1965 to make way for a replacement by modernist architect Mies van der Rohe.

This picture from 1827 shows a 3,600-year-old pyramid built in a region of the Nile valley called Nubia, located in the northern deserts of modern Sudan. It’s one of many pyramids constructed by the leaders of the ancient Kushite kingdoms. Made of granite and sandstone, these structures were heavily inspired by their Egyptian counterparts. This particular pyramid, known as the great pyramid N6 and belonging to an ancient queen, is today only a fraction of its former splendor. In the 1830s Italian treasure hunter Giuseppe Ferlini blasted the tops off many of the pyramids, including this one, searching for priceless jewels and treasures.

The Waldorf Hotel opened on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in 1897. The hotel was the result of a family spat between fabulously wealthy cousins William Waldorf Astor and John Jacob Astor IV. William demolished his own home and built the Waldorf to pique John. John in turn tore down his Fifth Avenue mansion and built the Astoria Hotel. Eventually, the two reconciled and created the Waldorf Astoria by joining the two hotels with a passageway. The original Waldorf Astoria was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building.

Built in the 1670s, the Old Dutch House was a famous landmark of the English port city of Bristol. Despite its name, it seems to be just a legend that the building’s timber frame was transported over from Holland to be assembled in Bristol. Sitting above medieval vaulted cellars, the lovely structure was at different times home to a goldsmith, a bank, and a milliner. The strange overhang of the second floor was created when the lower floor was cut back to widen the street. German WWII bombing destroyed the house in 1940 and devastated much of the old city of Bristol.

The Beach Hotel was a vacation resort in Galveston, Texas. Owned by Texas businessman William Henry Sinclair and designed by architect Nicholas J. Clayton, this impressive building cost nearly $8 million in today’s money. The Beach Hotel was supported on 300 wooden columns set into the sands of Galveston’s beach, and its unique design featured an octagonal dome and red-and-white stripes with a gold-green trim. It opened in 1883 but was plagued by financial difficulties, bankruptcies, and changes of ownership. Finally, a mysterious fire destroyed the building in 1898. 

The grandiose Royal Opera House opened in 1866 in Valletta, the capital city of Malta — an island in Southern Europe. With its ornate details and impressive columns, this theater was a stunning piece of architecture. And it quickly became one of the most iconic and beautiful venues in the city. However, it seemed to be doomed not to last. In 1873 a fire caused severe damage to the inside of the theater, but it was restored to its former glory a few years later. Sadly, the building was finally destroyed beyond repair by a German bomb in 1942 during WW2. Today all that remains of this entrancing building are the foundations. In a nice twist, the ruins are now used as an open-air venue. 

Engineer and architect Sir Joseph Paxton designed this fabulous cast iron and glass building as a venue for the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. This historic event saw 14,000 exhibitors from around the globe showing off examples of cutting-edge technology developed during the Industrial Revolution. Some of the most famous people in the world attended, including Charles Darwin, Karl Marx, Charlotte Brontë, Charles Dickens, George Eliot, and Lewis Carroll. Originally the Crystal Palace was set in the green surroundings of central London’s Hyde Park, but after the exhibition, it was dismantled and rebuilt in Sydenham, a suburb located in the south of the capital. Unfortunately, a devastating fire razed it to the ground in 1936. The surrounding area was renamed Crystal Palace in honor of the building.

This superbly sleek creation of the 1920s was the headquarters of the Richfield Oil Company. Built in flamboyant Art Deco style, the 13-story skyscraper opened in 1929 and was one of the most distinctive buildings in the Los Angeles skyline at the time. Designed by architect Stiles O. Clements, its unique black and gold façade was intended to represent Richfield’s “black gold” oil industry, and it was perceived by many as one of the most exciting architectural feats of the period. But after standing for only 38 years, this Art Deco masterpiece met an untimely demise in 1968. The Richfield Oil Company apparently outgrew its offices, and demolition was completed the following year — to the outrage of many.

This impressive gothic building, which used to sit at 333 St. Charles Avenue, was once the headquarters for Freemasons in New Orleans. The address has a storied and fascinating history: the Masons acquired it in 1853 and used the building for almost 40 years. A second Masonic Temple was built in 1892, but it was later demolished in 1926 to make room for a more modern structure. The third Masonic Temple was constructed that year, which was eventually sold in 1992. After an $11 million restoration project, it opened as the New Orleans Hilton St. Charles Avenue Hotel. Sadly the lovely gothic façade as it once was no longer exists.

This eccentric Californian mansion with its mishmash of styles was built in 1878 for businessman Mark Hopkins. A founder of the Central Pacific Railroad, he was known as one of the "Big Four" in San Francisco in the Gilded Age. He wanted a grand home in the fashionable Nob Hill neighborhood along with his fellow multimillionaires. Sadly, though, he died the same year his dream house was completed. Eventually, the unique building ended up in the hands of the San Francisco Art Institute in 1893 and was used as a school and museum. It’s believed that the mansion survived the great earthquake of 1906 — but was reduced to rubble in the fire that followed. Today, the site is the location of the Mark Hopkins Hotel.

This huge, stylish mansion was built for Alva Erskine Smith, the widow of banker, socialite, and politician Oliver Belmont, in 1918. Beacon Towers — also known as The Mrs O.H.P. Belmont house — was located in the village of Sands Point on the shores of Long Island’s Golden Coast. Alva, a charismatic and controversial society hostess who led the women's suffrage movement in America and her fantastical Gilded Age castle became renowned as beacons of progressive feminist thinking in the 1900s. Scholars believed her mansion was the inspiration for the castle in The Wizard of Oz and for Jay Gatsby’s house in F. Scott Fitzgerald’s 1925 novel The Great Gatsby:

“A factual imitation of some Hotel de Ville in Normandy, with a tower on one side, spanking new under a thin bead of raw ivy, and marble swimming pool and more than forty acres of land.”

— F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

The sheer scale and grandeur of New York City’s original Pennsylvania Station is astonishing. Built between Manhattan’s 31st and 34th Streets, the railroad station opened to travelers in 1910. Architects McKim, Mead & White designed this stunning example of the Beaux-Arts genre, which was a far cry from the crowded station we know today. Taking inspiration from classical Roman architecture, the station was bright, spacious, and grand, with soaring ceilings and sunlight-filled platforms. Some 500 buildings were demolished to make way for this monument to the railway age, but Pennsylvania Station was itself razed to the ground in a three-year demolition starting in 1963. It is regarded as one of New York City’s biggest architectural losses.

Perched on the cliffs near San Francisco’s Ocean Beach, this six-story edifice looked to all the world like it might topple into the Pacific at any moment. There have been various versions of the Cliff House Restaurant, but this photograph shows it as it was in about 1900. Local businessman Adolph Sutro bought the restaurant in 1883 only to see it burn down in 1894. He rebuilt it, but his later creation was consumed by a fire in 1907, just after surviving the great earthquake the previous year.

Rising proudly as a splendid embodiment of neoclassical architecture, the Queen's Building commanded a captivating presence overlooking the Hong Kong Harbor. Its grandeur earned it the esteemed title of "the city's most prestigious commercial building" upon its unveiling in 1899. Hailing from an era when Hong Kong was under British colonial rule, this architectural gem was named after the revered Queen Victoria. Serving as the headquarters for numerous European shipping and commercial entities, the imperial edifice stood as a symbol of power and influence. However, in 1963, the Queen's Building was torn down to make way for the Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong.

This shot from 1897 shows the magnificence of Detroit’s Old City Hall. Aptly described by Country Living as “a sumptuous mishmash of the Italian Renaissance and French Second Empire styles,” the building was completed in 1871 and served as the seat of government for the city until 1961. After surviving many attempts to demolish it, the grand structure was finally pulled down that year. The City-County Building had been built to replace it as the new seat of government. For nearly a century, the Old City Hall was at the very center of Detroit life, but today it's just another piece of the city’s long-forgotten past.

This remarkable structure was not constructed for human use; rather it was crafted as a haven for elephants at Berlin Zoo. The thoughts and impressions of these majestic creatures regarding their exotic abode shall forever remain a mystery, but it was the destructive impact of human actions that led to the downfall of the elephants' sanctuary, as it succumbed to bombings during World War II by Allied air forces. One of the many tragic tales entwined with the Second World War, this poignant narrative serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by animals held in captivity during times of conflict.

This impressive soaring building with its distinctive dome was designed for a newspaper: the New York World. The New York World Building was completed in 1890 and was also known as the Pulitzer Building, as the editor of the day was Joseph Pulitzer. Part of Manhattan's former “Newspaper Row” along with several other newspaper headquarters, it was the tallest building in New York City at the time. The original New York World building actually burned down in 1882; a fire that claimed the lives of six people. This replacement structure eventually disappeared from the Manhattan skyline in 1955 to make way for increased traffic crossing the Brooklyn Bridge.

Cornelius Vanderbilt II had this extravagant five-story mansion built on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in 1883. The famous American socialite ended up purchasing all of the properties on the Fifth Avenue block to expand his mansion, worrying that other wealthy people were trying to outdo him. Eventually, the enormous property boasted 130 rooms, making it the largest private residence in New York City. After Cornelius died, his widow, Alice, continued living in the house with her 37 servants for many years, but she was forced to sell it in 1926. The mansion was then demolished to make way for the Bergdorf Goodman department store to be built on the site.

This splendid example of an English country house was located in Cassiobury Park in the county of Hertfordshire, some 15 miles north-west of central London. From 1546 the ancestral home of the Earls of Essex stood at the site. But the castle-like structure in this photograph from 1883 was mostly built in the early 19th century. The house and the surrounding estate were swallowed up by the expansion of the city of Watford in the 20th century; the mansion was finally demolished in 1927. It’s one of England's many long-lost country houses.

Upon first glance, the true nature of this grand structure, adorned with majestic classical columns, might elude even the most astute observer. It was, in fact, the Kowloon-Canton Railway Terminus in Hong Kong, opening for business in 1910. Constructed from resilient granite and vibrant red brick, the station, captured here in 1914, bore witness to a rich history. Despite spirited opposition, the station met its unfortunate fate in 1978, succumbing to demolition. Today, a solitary remnant remains as a poignant reminder of its former glory: the clock tower is all that’s left of this once-magnificent structure.

This magnificent Gothic building was the Hotel Ryan, which welcomed guests in the city of St. Paul, Minnesota. It was said upon its opening in 1885 to be the city’s finest hotel. The architect was James J. Egan, and the financier was gold and silver mining millionaire Dennis Ryan. Sadly, it was demolished in 1962 to make way for something as prosaic as a parking lot; later the site was filled with an office building. This magnificent example of Victorian Gothic excess is one of St. Paul’s greatest architectural losses.

Nestled along Moscow's Pokrovka Street, this beautiful baroque building no longer exists today. A church has existed on this site since the 17th century, but this particular architectural marvel emerged in later years, garnering much admiration. Notably, even Napoleon himself found himself captivated by its splendor when he conquered Moscow in 1812. Tragically, in 1936, the church met its untimely demise, falling victim to the tumultuous tides of history. Lost to the annals of time, its grandeur now lives on only through the echoes of remembrance and the testament of those who beheld its magnificence.

Dominating the intersection of Manhattan's 59th Street and Fifth Avenue, the illustrious Hotel Netherland, completed in 1893, stood as a testament to architectural grandeur. Commissioned by William Waldorf Astor and envisioned by the architect William H. Hume, this awe-inspiring 17-story structure soared to unprecedented heights, earning the distinction of being the world's tallest hotel at the time. Alas, the passage of time proved unforgiving, as the building met its demise in 1927, making room for the Sherry Netherland Hotel. Thus, the ever-evolving tapestry of New York City's iconic skyline was forever altered.

This monumental building, the Royal Aquarium, was set in the central London district of Westminster, not far from the Houses of Parliament. It was completed in 1876 to a design by Alfred Bedborough. Despite its name, it wasn’t just a place to view sea life in glass tanks. There was also a theater on site, and it included a winter garden complete with lush greenery. This short-lived entertainment venue succumbed to the wrecker’s ball in 1902. Its site is now home to the Methodist Central Hall.

The Chicago and North Western Terminal, despite its resemblance to a Greek Revival temple, was a grand railroad station designed by architects Frost and Granger. Completed in 1911, this monumental Beaux-Arts-style structure stood proudly on Madison Street in Illinois. However, in 1984, the terminal gave way to the Ogilvie Transportation Center, marking the end of an era. Although its imposing presence may have been lost to time, the legacy of the Chicago and North Western Terminal lives on in the memories of those who witnessed its architectural magnificence during its heyday.

In Edinburgh's Old Town, there once stood a remarkable house from the 16th century, commanding a view over Lawnmarket, a square that still exists to this day. Described by James Grant in his Old and New Edinburgh as “one of the finest specimens of the wooden-fronted houses of 1540,” this historic dwelling possessed a captivating charm. However, the passage of more than three centuries eventually led to its demise, as the unfortunate hands of demolition swept through the structure from 1878 to 1879. Though now lost to history, the memory of this extraordinary house remains a testament to Edinburgh's rich architectural heritage.

Captured in this late 19th-century photograph is the Great Northern Railway Station, known as Great Victoria Street Railway Station, located in Belfast, Ireland. Crafted by the skillful hands of John Godwin, the station welcomed travelers from its inauguration in 1848, serving the Dublin and Belfast Junction Railway line. However, the passage of time led to the station's closure to passengers in 1976, followed by its eventual demolition. The site that once housed this architectural gem made way for a bus stand, marking a new chapter in the ever-evolving urban landscape of Belfast.

Gazing upon the expansive Place Charles Rogier in the late 19th Century, one would have beheld the magnificent neo-classical structure of Brussels North Station, erected in 1846 and envisioned by François Coppens. While the square endures in present times, its surroundings have undergone much transformation with the addition of modern buildings, notably the Rogier metro station. Sadly, the old Brussels North Station building met its demise in 1955, making way for the towering Rogier Centre that now graces the site. Thus, the landscape of this bustling Belgian city continues to evolve, blending history with progress in a vibrant tapestry of architectural heritage.

Once standing proudly on Niagara Street in Buffalo’s financial district, the Erie County Savings Bank showcased a striking resemblance to a German Schloss that you might find along the Rhine River. Designed by architect George B. Post and featuring the technological expertise of Thomas Edison in its electrical installations, this remarkable building opened for business in 1893. However, the relentless passage of time led to its eventual downfall, and in 1968 the Erie County Savings Bank was regrettably torn down, leaving behind a void in the architectural tapestry of Buffalo's history. Nonetheless, its legacy as an emblem of grandeur and innovation endures in the annals of design.

Preserved in this captivating image from 1904 is the Imperial Hotel, a distinguished landmark of Indianapolis, Indiana. Initially established as the National Surgical Institute in the 1890s, the institution faced financial hardship and succumbed to bankruptcy in 1898. However, the building was repurposed into the opulent 200-room Imperial Hotel around 1900. Throughout the passing century, the hotel underwent name changes, transforming into the Metropole and later the Roosevelt. Unfortunately, the late 1940s witnessed the demolition of this esteemed establishment, leaving behind a space that was eventually filled by a parking lot.

This photograph from 1887 shows the marvelously baroque Neue Elbbrücke Bridge in Hamburg, Germany, a fantastical structure which would hardly look out of place in Disneyland. Serving as a crossing over the River Elbe in Hamburg, this bridge held great historical and architectural significance. However, a road-widening project in 1959 necessitated the removal of its distinctive Gothic towers, forever altering its unique character. Though the loss of these towers is lamentable, the enduring charm and grandeur of the Neue Elbbrücke Bridge continues to captivate the imagination and remind us of the evolving nature of urban landscapes.

The illustrious Hong Kong Club, an architectural gem from the colonial era, graced the city's landscape in 1897. Designed by the esteemed architects Palmer & Turner, this magnificent Italianate structure was set on reclaimed land and offered a breathtaking view of Victoria Harbor. The club boasted exceptional amenities, including a bowling alley, electric elevators, and nine billiard tables. Unfortunately, the soaring maintenance costs proved unsustainable, leading to its regrettable demolition in 1981. Though now lost to time, the legacy of the Hong Kong Club remains etched in the city’s history, a testament to the grandeur and charm of a bygone era.