Exploring an ABANDONED $7,000,000 Futuristic Glass Penthouse | Abandoned Skyscraper

In today’s exploration we’re venturing to the south to check out an abandoned $7,000,000 glass penthouse. The building it self was originally constructed in 1916 but a fire forced the workers to demolish the building and start over from scratch finishing the 17 story skyscraper in 1918. Later on in 1976 a famous architect designed the glass penthouse on the very top of the building. Not alot of people liked this design because it really just doesn’t match the rest of the structure with one critic calling it an eyesore and that it resembles a darth vador helmet or villains lair. But not all locals dislike this place. Some have stated that they used to love going to the art shows in the penthouse, as well as some people who even had their weddings at the very top. Hopefully one day this entire building can be brought back to life in some way. But as of now there are signs of homeless and vandals that have made their way inside. So join me today and let’s see what’s left.
I am an Urban Explorer from Oklahoma just traveling around finding the coolest forgotten places! follow me on my journey around the world finding the best unknown forgotten places on earth! Merch coming soon 🔥
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[@cantthinkofone6995]

I went to a wedding in that penthouse years back. It used to be so nice. The entire building was recently purchased and is set to be renovated.

[@bobbiepadgett3188]

What city is this located in?

[@donnamoseley3581]

That’s great! Such a beautiful Art Deco building!

[@leerabinovitz5841]

Where is this

[@coastalparasail]

Where is this located?

[@laurafisher1832]

Where is this located ?

[@vintagegeek]

When you got to the 14th floor I instantly recognized that big office as a former radio control room…that large desk is where the console would have been placed. So of course I had to find what station it was just to satisfy my curiosity and I finally found it…a rock station in the 90s called 96 RXR. Anyway, just wanted to share since it took some time to find that! Great video!!

[@ChrisHardyWorld]

Yup, I worked at the station in 1988 & 89 - we used to have station meetings up in the penthouse. Great acoustics up there!

[@Gunnin4You]

Ha! It was giving me Frasier vibes!

[@MikeBates-ov5gf]

Facility manager here. It’s not a dog cage. I have cages everywhere in my facilities. We lock stuff up because people steal.

[@justinsanchez1274]

I was just about to say it's probably used as storage areas

[@mattjames4126]

The wood means the phone/network comms were there, don’t want random people to have access.

[@ryryy1980]

Nahhh dude it was for dogs bro. Didn't you see the buckets of water. What else would a cage fence be doing there. Chall uuuot man...

[@user-zg6zm6iu7d]

This was the Penthouse that State Senator Eugene Holly had designed by IM Pei. Holly had ties with the Shah of Iran back then. He and his partners were convicted of various banking issues and lost it all !!

[@biostax]

Cages are used for storage units

[@sheilastahl633]

I was lucky to be able to visit for a function years ago and it was the best event in Augusta. The view was like none other. The structure is still a masterful structure.

[@neuraloscillation]

I used to work in this building 😄, very interesting to see some of the areas that I was never able to go into.

[@gaylemiller3763]

When??

[@dawnpowell2465]

That basement... I think the 'cages' might be storage units for tenants needing storage space. Possible?

[@ambam1182]

Yea that's what I was going to say. I've see a lot of movies where they had storage in the basements like that in big buildings.

[@jamesm4992]

Agreed... chain link storage spaces were common in old high-rise apartment buildings also. My aunt lived in one when I was young and I remember when we would go into her storage space on the 21st floor it was cool to see what everybody had.

[@MotherBiscuitLover]

If they were storage spaces I'd expect to see rows of them. I Suspect the cages either once housed High Voltage stuff, or they were tool lockers for maintenance men. It's pretty common in industrial settings for there to be a tool crib that only a few people have a key to.

[@savage.4.24]

Tele communication or computer servers most likely. At&t southwestern bell rented basement room all across the states till the 2010s when storagegot larger and computers got smaller.

[@DeniseWilliams-mu7ex]

That was my first thought too.

[@jilliemak2024]

Nice video~ That penthouse was designed by I. M. Pei--the same architect who is perhaps best known for the glass pyramid in the courtyard of the Louvre in Paris.

[@Madmarsha]

When I read that, I was shocked to be honest. I was not expecting such a name to be associated with this place.

[@mycroftholmes7863]

Glass pyramid has also been described as an eyesore

[@jimjordan5630]

​@@MadmarshaThis is not the only place in Augusta that he designed.

[@violamateo-on8pc]

I'm not surprised to find out it was designed by Pei. It has quality written all over it! The white marble is especially beautiful. But I can't fathom that someone with the $$ to live in such a gorgeous place would have such awful furniture!

[@rutheliz75]

@@violamateo-on8pc The furnishing choices are better understood if viewed when the place was new. Sometimes the contemporary background highlights the style and quality of the furniture .

[@roxannerdrake3624]

Ever wonder if anyone who's ever owned these abandoned homes, watches these videos, and runs across their old home???

[@AMT-cx7jw]

This was a senators penthouse, i think he died...

[@daltonreese-qp7ii]

most of them are long gone😵

[@thomasdickason3884]

Cages/ enclosures on the higher levels are lease demarcation areas rented out to telephone / radio / tv network companies and used to securely house comms power filters etc. for antennas on the exterior.

[@someguy9778]

100%

[@Circleofcocytus]

I don't know why it drove me so crazy, but every time he suggested that the cages were for dogs or that the buckets of water were for dogs I wanted to just scream at the video. It's like no, obviously an abandoned building was not keeping dogs in the basement. This isn't like some secondary site for the umbrella corporation.

[@adamm.1367]

I wish urban "explorers" like this would just shut up during their videos and then narrate in post after doing a touch of research. Guy routinely says the most inaccurate and false stuff in his videos ...dog cages smh

[@bgreen2856]

As a child of the 60s I've been in many buildings like this, makes me so sad to see this one so torn up. Remember a time when a elevator had an operator.. Those were the days my friend.......

[@DMWBN3]

I’m in England & we’ve done great buildings. Was in a 30’s block where I live recently & the lift has an ashtray in it. Times have changed eh!? 😊

[@bevcamren1316]

60s fun

[@kennycombs4475]

14th floor looks like it might have been a radio station by the looks of the walls and the desks

[@ChrisHardyWorld]

Indeed it was - I worked there in the late 80s! WRXR - the HOME of rock & roll (or so they said).

[@CherylAnderson0]

I wouldn’t say I’m afraid of heights but I get physical symptoms of tingling all over my body and this video gave me the same response after you got up to the glass room then really bad on the top roof. I do hope the restoration works out on the building. Next time I visit my aunt I’m going to go see it.

[@ruthbazley3468]

My partner has the same reaction he says it feels like he is fighting the compulsion to jump off rather than feeling afraid of the height ..... weird!

[@HelloThisIsAva]

@@ruthbazley3468I feel that! I would love to be able to fly if I knew I wouldn’t die from jumping 😂 maybe I was a bird in my last life lol

[@Backinthedaypics]

I could hardly watch it ~Felt like I was going to fall. How the hell did those workers build that thing on the outside.

[@WLM596]

I get those same feelings

[@katecallender2099]

The chained linked areas in the basement are most likely individual storage spaces for offices.

[@donnamoseley3581]

I was thinking the same thing.

[@rdually]

yes not for animals lol

[@Ryan0751]

Storage or equipment cages. Not dogs lol.

[@lfieldss]

It's clearly a Saw movie scenario

[@SheenaAaron-fo9bs]

Exactly! Chain link = Dog cage? Bless his heart! He also said closet = bedroom lol SMH🤣

[@OgYokYok]

That 14th floor looks like a recording studio with a room for the show, the producer, and an editing room.

[@ksavage681]

Yes it was, even the big window to see into the next room is radio station.

[@jeanettewhite2144]

Thanks for sharing. I would be too frightened to live in something that high up and all glass 😮

[@rayraap3905]

I don’t think that penthouse was to be used as residential. It was for special events.

[@Eric-cm9ri]

Yeah, it was probably used for mischievous purposes.

[@kole0429]

it obviously was

[@Natis305]

You’re right! I lived in Augusta and was always told it was just an office building. Definitely not a residence.

[@andrewb4584]

After many years in that business... That 14th floor looks like a radio station or audio production facility. If you walked out that catwalk, I'd guess you have an equipment penthouse out there with a transmitter. The big "desk" you saw looks like your main control room. The smaller rooms with equally large desks are where you'd do audio work. The carpeted walls are for sound deadening. With family in North Augusta SC, and seeing an antenna array up there, I'm betting they transmitted from the top of that building. It's probably the highest thing around. Big boxes with conduit on the walls carried your audio signal around the room/building. Just my thought as a guy who worked in a half dozen studios like that through undergrad... Some might have even been in worse shape.... Those chain link fence things are frequently used in large buildings to secure telecom or building control areas. There were telecom patch panels on the top "building" floor access. No dogs, just telecom.

[@ClearlyDigital]

This. Exactly this. Also, hi from another radio guy. 🙂

[@cheapjoe]

Used to be a station 96.3 WRXR that broadcasted out of there. I ran overnights on the weekend back in the early 90's.

[@andrewb4584]

@@cheapjoe Thanks for confirming.. I can smell the stale broadcast rooms, tractor fed paper playlists, and cart machines in my sleep... Back before radio died.... Glad I got to experience it before it became completely faceless.

[@denisemiddleton2278]

Dang! interesting!

[@Mandy-nw6dv]

The basement is normally for the engineers and equipment, pump room, and all that. Hence, the cage's. They would have been locked. Love your podcast. Thank you for sharing 💙

[@Shadowman...]

Holy crap, those high altitude drone shots where having me holding onto my desk. That place looks so fragile like its going to shatter off the side of the building.

[@mo9-76]

Hey 👋 Bigbankz so great to see you as you discover another adventure! Interesting awkward site, thanks for sharing. Love the Scripture verse always, stay blessed brother!👍🏻

[@susanpugh5265]

Wasn't much up there,& the kitchen was a laugh! Thank you for sharing this adventure with us! You're awesome!

[@satinblackcat666]

I think it was a secret bachelor pad for naughty time for a high ranking executive that must have had the top floors where the offices get nicer.

[@lordeverybody872]

The kitchen, that was a drink prep area the burner was for a pot of coffee or tea

[@chaseGallcher]

Why doesn’t anyone ever say the damn city it’s in!! It’s only asked 50 times. The guy should tell us to make it more interesting. Maybe a little back story about the place

[@TheArbz]

Where the F is this place

[@midiwall]

With 520k views and climbing, I'd say that the chances would be good that "many" people would show up. Most hopefully just curious, some not. If someone really wants to know where this is, there are plenty of clues in the video to figure it out. And, there are plenty of videos here on YT about how to go about doing that. 😎

[@kole0429]

Augusta

[@jamiemiesler322]

That’s EXACTLY what I kept trying to figure out. Why explore a place yet not mention the state, city??

[@joshuasjericho3915]

I ❤ totally agree! Name the city & state! Geeze! I hate 😒 when people do exploring like this & give zero history & no names! This isn't a "top secret" for fuck sake!

[@mayamelina6]

I would love to do stuff like this, but I’m too scared of other people being in places like this. Living through you. lol

[@stevenklingler9376]

DUDE! You took one for the team, opening that fridge! 😱

[@sdemon5567]

Unbelievably Awesome!!

[@TheDuffs411axions]

That "dog cage" you found just before arriving at the pent house was a networking cage. The board mounted on the wall is where they'd have hung devices and/or installed an equipment rack.

[@cinnylac]

I absolutely LOVE your videos. I always try to imagine the family spending time together enjoying life

[@RyanGreene-lx7hh]

In middle school (the early 2000’s), we took a field trip to that building and got to see the penthouse. Even rode the private glass elevator. It looked more open and office like back then. Didn’t look like an area anyone had lived in. The other elevator doors etc. are original to that building from like 1913-1914. The whole building (all that we saw) looked really nice and I believe they would rent the penthouse to groups for meetings and things back then. Such a shame to see that building in such bad shape now. Just like lots of other places in Augusta.

[@maryc6628]

Great video enjoyed it, keep on showing us more abandoned houses

[@robinseymer]

Great views!! Kitchen is hideous. Love the roof shots. Keep doing what you do Bigbanks!! Love your videos!

[@Finny_finn_finn]

I know it's ugly in the current condition and location...but...imagine this at the top of a building in Miami or honolulu...even Seattle...get a designer to modernize it...enlarge the bathroom and add a real kitchen...that would make an incredible vacation rental...it definitely needs some design changes but in the right location it would have incredible potential

[@maryloudelossantos1624]

Great coverage! Wow! Wowie! I'm blown away! I am speechless! You guys are so daring, I'm impressed! As a viewer, it was difficult for me to watch since i have a phobia for heights. Glad you both have made it to the very top, I so proud of you! two. This is one-of-a-kind! Thank you for sharing such one superbly remarkable video. You are the best ever!

[@jenniferkesler4766]

I really liked being able to see this building from the basement up! Cool format! ❤

[@Maybe1Someday]

This building is so beautiful. The age being 100 yeras old, I love it. One of the coolest penthouses Ive seen. I wouldnt want it as a main house because Im afraid of heights. Having a studio and a bedroom to have a creative area. Wake up scared of heights and amplify the creativity

[@SharonJones-ql8oy]

Loving every minute of it 😊

[@lauramccament1381]

Yes it would be very interesting to see how they furnished it. Very cool explore, thanks.

[@lizarrrdbeth]

The drone shots are awesome! I think the building is cool!

[@joelli_cornish_maid]

Great video. I watch your explores from the UK. Thank you for all that you do.

[@TommyAlanRaines]

Very cool building, hopefully it will get completely redone.

[@paulson6270]

Awesome video, I just caught the end of the live so going to watch this again. Stay safe always. Thanks for sharing.

[@margaritapadron7364]

Currently watching.....all those poor plants. Great job!!!!

[@LauraLancealot]

I hear all glass penthouse = My first thought. Think of the plants you could have in that place !

[@fraxinus7399]

​@LauraLancealot Same! You live in a greenhouse basicaly, my dream!

[@debflorosdebluvsjewelry5714]

A new favorite!!! Such a cool abandoned place!

[@Mszahnclass95]

That js a huge building ,this a alittle different than your usual abandoned home .Thank you fir taking all us with you big bankz

[@mxdmxn0]

love this building. haven’t attempted to go in there. but it was recently just purchased and they are actually filming a movie soon there and the penthouse will be used as a lair:)

[@rebeccageiger9110]

I hope they have a lot of glass cleaner/paint remover for the panes

[@bgundercover]

The fencing you saw are for secure storage or some type of equipment. The one about 19:30 had plywood on the wall and looked IT or phone equipment used to be there.

[@AmbientWalking]

Wow! This is amazing!

[@kimberlymacandog7616]

I am having Meet JOE BLACK movie vibes. A movie that was disturbing to me, yet still hypnotically in the BEST OF WAYS!

[@sueanderson5917]

Way cool. Thanks for climbing all those stairs!

[@melissahansen480]

So cool, you have it going on!!

[@conniemartin5087]

Thanks for the Tour.

[@angelashelley4040]

Love your videos ❤❤❤

[@jodyscharfenberg8201]

Very Awesome!!

[@jeaniemcdonald1301]

While you were in the basement, you asked if animals were kept down there. Probably not. Those areas were used/rented to the upper floor offices and or apartments as storage space. Also, areas down there were also for maintenance people and equipment.

[@oofmylife9736]

Awesome stuff man. I’ve been wanting to do this type of thing with some friends of mine. It’s truly amazing to see and look into the history of these buildings. I’m from Oklahoma also, and if I’d ever get be chance I’d love to get some advice/safety precautions and best practices for going about what you do. Love the content!

[@timvertz3687]

I used to work in the Westin bldg in downtown Seattle. The bldg was the main communications hub & internet exchange for the PNW. Several floors were dedicated to different companies data centers. Each companies equipment is separated from others via locked cages the same as you see in the bldg in this video but on a much larger scale. So yes, those cages are not for animals but for companies very expensive, sensitive equipment that they want to insure can only be reached by authorized employees.

[@karenshepler7128]

What a place as different. For me know thank you But beautiful view but would not want it .Thanks again for sharing. Take care.

[@user-jz3qq5gr6g]

Hi fromCanada. Great video.Thanks for sharing your adventures

[@tariqsw69]

Ooooo I’ve been hereee it’s crazy I recognized it off first glance I remember when I lived in Augusta and was walking down the strip and saw that penthouse on top of the old building and was so intrigued!!

[@redrocker1550]

What city is this?

[@susanwallace1817]

I remember when this was built. I always wondered what it looked like on the inside.

[@richlaw1965]

Fenced areas are to keep people away from whatever equipment used to be housed in that location.

[@SharonJones-ql8oy]

😱No Way.....just watching this is making my stomach flip flop. Up On the Roof Noooooo. I can't 🫣

[@maryhirsch2909]

Amazing!

[@kennethsonier1766]

Good morning from Cape Cod 🌞 HOLY CRAP!! This was absolutely awesome! I can't imagine what your legs felt like after climbing 19 flights of stairs 😂 thanks for bringing this awesome video to us 👍✌️🇺🇲

[@biancabutler523]

Love your videos! I think when there is a building like that they need areas where they can lock up personal items… And I believe that’s what you’re seeing in those areas where they have what looks like animal cages. Most buildings like that have places where people can put things for storage if not in a room, they create spaces with chain-link panels and lock. You always go to the best places Banks Thanks!!!!!!

[@feraguindin]

❤❤❤ very big house n beautiful ❤️😍

[@italianlifestyle7911]

Mighty impressive place🧐

[@kevinkarwaski9729]

Cool location good filming 🎥 thx g

[@petrobull2560]

Great video!👍

[@javierlatorre5754]

Those fenced cages are just storage that had to be kept secured from theft. Common in building and shopping malls and commercial property. They are not kennels -

[@donnamoseley3581]

Interesting video! That would be a nope for me to stand on that roof😂🤷‍♀️ 7 million & the kitchen is sooooo disappointing! Love the lobby & the floor you were on with the cool urns & stuff on the doors! Very Art Deco!

[@summersells4380]

thank you for sharing

[@peterbroderson6080]

A small and uninteresting space of that much money, it would seem! Thanks for the tour.

[@user-uo7yz7rz4x]

HEY, BIG BANKZ, AWESOME VIDEO AS ALWAYS ❤❤ THANKS FOR SHARING 🩵🩵👍👍💯💯 STAY SAFE AND WELL, GOD BLESS YOU 🙏

[@pacificoceantsunami8497]

Very cool! I live here in Augusta and never was inside, thanks for the view!

[@user-th2ko4rq1j]

Yep 96RXR radio at the top back in the 90s Seems like there was a YMCA in the basement before also Pretty sure there is/was a pool down there I appreciate you guys respectfully documenting this old building in my home town. Was built back when America built good stuff with pride. Sadly those days are gone it seems.

[@AurorasEarth]

I believe many of these buildings are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay older than the accepted narrative. I’m curious if they say that it was established or founded in 1916? Great video!! Can’t believe that much water was down there. Interesting

[@craigtrent2410]

awesome video 🙌🙌🙌

[@loriburnham966]

Hello good Sunday i am a new subscriber !! Love your vedios thank u 😊😊😊😊❤❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[@dianeconnelly819]

Very nice!

[@shaunauvaa6615]

Your the man bigbanks that was wicked

[@lisanusbaumer5073]

Great video loved watching enjoyed it you take time doing these you are amazing at everything you do

[@beverlymcgue514]

Thanks for sharing.. I can't believe the things that are left behind or the cost things might of been.. big waste of money...to me// happens when you live a sheltered life. again thank you stay safe

[@jamiewhalen7804]

The office with the fabric on the wall was a radio station/ recording studio

[@don4476]

The amount of money that has been put into buildings and houses, later abandoned, is staggering. It must be trillions.

[@eppityrrell8236]

16:07 it would have been a lovely place to sit out on your coffee break....the wind must have done that to the blinds amazing building such a shame it's left to rot ✨☘️

[@543210mono]

Good thing you avoided all them scary homeless people.

[@jennifergarrett6809]

Without a nice kitchen it ain't worth no where near $7,000,000.

[@brentmiddlebrooks8422]

That’s what leads me to think it wasn’t designed to be a penthouse that housed people. Designed for entertainment purposes and big events perhaps???

[@jennifergarrett6809]

@@brentmiddlebrooks8422 I think I agree with you. It was someplace to have fancy meetings to impress people. They could have food brought in and set up.

[@Polemodrome]

What's with this thing on top, anyway? Is it supposed to be an atrium? It's so dumb looking, overall. I am going to assume the architect got hammered with 100 ounces of manzana, saw a bottle of perfume advertised on a magazine and had an epiphany

[@kole0429]

if it was for a bachelor then he probably didnt give a crap about a nice kitchen

[@kayk3756]

Awesome 🤩 👏👏👏

[@mackenzieholmes12]

I live in Augusta, thanks for posting I have never been in there but heard it's being renovated.

[@dalesmith112]

That roof overlook made me kinda nauseous ... LOL

[@gman1010]

Great channel ❤

[@gerardguida7727]

I think the last space was probably a DJ BOOTH..... Great video 😊....

[@cincyzoe]

Great building to repurpose as apartments. Lots of windows! I hope the building is saved for something useful. The penthouse? Yuck. But thanks for making the climb up to it. 😊

[@jameskellis3122]

The room with the big desk and the large interior window looks like a radio station. Which would also explain the fabric wall covering for sound deadening.

[@joanmullen2552]

No way would I be going that high after seeing water damage.Afraid of falling through. Scary!

[@ClearlyDigital]

The super nice decorated floor with the desks was most likely a radio station. The furniture in the rooms is where the control boards would have been. The fabric walls are for soundproofing and sound deadening in the studios.

[@dougholmes6631]

I was out of breathe just watching you ascend that building.