Your city's greatest architectural loss

[eaguir3]

I just felt the same feeling about those mansions like when my mom threw away a newspaper of 1910 that I found in my attic..angry and disappointed

[MINNEAPOLIS-uptown]

For Minneapolis, The Metropolitan building was by far the worst architectural loss. It was the first skyscraper in Minneapolis and was torn down in 1961 for "modernization" of the neighborhood

[Rico Rommheim]

Originally Posted by MINNEAPOLIS-uptown

For Minneapolis, The Metropolitan building was by far the worst architectural loss. It was the first skyscraper in Minneapolis and was torn down in 1961 for "modernization" of the neighborhood

what. a. shame! A crime.

[Austinlee]

Downtown Pittsburgh, all within a couple blocks of each other:

Wabash Train Terminal



Burned down in 1946.


The tallest building ever demolished in Pittsburgh, 1970; The First National Bank Building. 387 ft, 26 stories. According to my research this is currently the 11th tallest building ever demo-ed in the world.


http://www.phlf.org/wp-content/uploa...skyscraper.jpg

Torn down and replaced with PNC bank tower 1, seen here on the far right. Only a few feet taller than the previous highrise:



24 story Farmer's Bank Building from 1903, demolished:


http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/alleg...-bank-bldg.jpg


Two ornate highrises on the Allegheny river side of downtown, made a beautiful entrance from what is now the Roberto Clemente bridge:



Replaced with a shitty parking garage!!

[JHoward88]

I had no idea that Penn Station - the article presented by the original poster - used to be so amazing, or that it was demolished in such an undignified manner. Thinking about a building of that magnitude being replaced with a sports venue is like taking a punch in the stomach. Who would consider such a thing? It is like blowing up the great pyramids and replacing them with a shopping mall.

Seattle/Tacoma seems pretty good about preserving old landmarks. Lots of fine buildings sat abandoned downtown Tacoma for a while, but most of them have since been repaired and leased. In any case, I have to go with the infamous Seattle Kingdome. Indeed, it was ugly to begin with and ultimately replaced with something nicer; but as an architectural achievement, I can't help cringing at the thought of any notable building being imploded.

Old Kingdome:

Source: http://www.patmahoney.com/kingdome.jpg

New (Qwest Field):

Source: http://www.airninja.com/pictures/sea...west_field.jpg

[Aaamazarite]

Another Philadelphia one:

The Jayne Building, one of America's first 8 story buildings

It was already pretty old by time these pics were taken:

[Victor Horta]

the old and beautiful"grand poste" (post office) in Bruxelles



1966:...the demolition.


The cherubin statues were saved and are now in a park in another town.

The (not so) new post office build on the site

[The_Architect]

I would say the loss of the Old Toronto Star building, but it gave us our country's tallest..

I'd have to say the loss of the Toronto Armouries:



For the York County Court House:

[RCDC]

GGW has a great series on losses in DC. Here are a few examples:

John R. McLean House 1860-1939


http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/cph.3b10202/ more: http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/DC0256/


Loew's Palace Theater 1918-1979


http://loc.gov/pictures/resource/hec.20747/ More:http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/DC0433/


Church of the Covenant 1889-1966


http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/DC0185/


The Gayety Theater 1907-1959


http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/npc2008010701/