The World's Biggest Abandoned Skyscrapers

[@frankreads8618]

Few words are more terrifying than "unlicensed dentist."

[@timsearle5837]

yep, and those few are "trainee unlicensed dentist".

[@unknownrat2675]

"I'm from the government, and I'm here to help" the 9 word phrase that scares the crap out of most people

[@Tarik983]

@@timsearle5837

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

@@unknownrat2675 That one often ends badly.

[@jasonwomack4064]

Considering the cost of dental work, I'd probably risk the unlicenced dentist if the price was right.

[@swag7734]

Update on Sathorn tower, as a tourist its pretty much impossible to get in now. Security has ramped up and the site is pretty well boarded up now with cameras everywhere. The guards who accepted bribes were all fired and new ones were brought in who are apparently much stricter.

[@richrodgers9961]

What part of town is it in? I’m in BKK often and don’t remember it. Is it in Silom? I see lots and lots of sky cranes still working on the skyline from a 32 floor condo I stay on Sukhumvit. I wonder if I can see it? I’m passing through BKK on way to BuriRam in a couple weeks and now I’m curious.

[@AndrewTFenn]

​@@richrodgers9961it's at sapan taksin

[@popkool78]

@@richrodgers9961it’s in Silom yes. You can also spot it from Icon Siam pier

[@ronaldnixon8226]

@@richrodgers9961 Near the Mandarin Oriental on the river

[@qonra]

I'd say that's a shame but as someone who climbed up to the top of the tower, that place is sketchy as hell. Pretty massive safety hazard honestly, glad they're doing something.

[@l.b8896]

9:30 I don’t like the words “unlicensed” and “dentist” next to each other like that

[@custos3249]

Would you prefer "proctologist"?

[@Donjuanthesecond]

Never would have guessed that North Korea or Russia would build a pointy warhead style building.

[@rtzx12570]

What like the Washington monument?

[@Maria_Erias]

@@rtzx12570 The Washington monument is styled after an Egyptian monolith, one of the so-called Cleopatra's Needles. So unless the Egyptians were building warheads several thousand years ago, you're pretty far off. Might want to crack open a history book or two.

[@Bubbaist]

Then there’s Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, with over 500 marble-clad skyscrapers, nearly all empty.

[@tannerking8299]

Another country similar to North Korea with its big ego and need to be seen as more grand than it really is

[@GeoffreyWare]

@@tannerking8299 agreed there is something wrong with the leader of Turkmenistan... I would reference his name if I knew it but I just don't care to learn it...

[@GeoffreyWare]

@@Bubbaist it seems commonplace to cover yourself in riches so that you look good when you are really a piece of s*** underneath...

[@Tattootin]

@@GeoffreyWareit’s not him… it more so looks like some MAJOR money laundering going on? Look at Miami, it’s riddled with empty skyscrapers, why? Money laundering. It’s a pretty big laundering venture to put dirty money into construction and real estate.

[@Tattootin]

@@tannerking8299this isn’t really similar. North Korea has more of a shell of props rather than abandoned. Saying in general not pertaining to the video.

[@darkerarts]

I've been inside the Sathorn Unique tower. The place stands out like a sore thumb and I happened to find my way there. The place had loads of dogs running around it had quite a few down and outs hanging around. I went up quite a few levels, but the place had holes in the floors and was incredibly dangerous. It was certainly an interesting adventure in Bangkok

[@simonk5571]

I dont think it stands out like a sore thumb. Were you actually looking for it?

[@darkerarts]

@@simonk5571 No, wasn't looking for it at all. When it starts getting dark, you notice the building, as it is silhouetted against the other tower blocks in the city. Also, it is the only tall building covered in graffiti.

[@matthewdavies2057]

Do a Part 2 of this topic. The Burj with it's failed plumbing and the Los Angeles, China owned, abandoned building becoming a graphiti art gallery over downtown.

[@Kwippy]

The Burj Khalifa is a joke, with its daily trucks carting foul sewage to be dumped.

[@uingaeoc3905]

Plumbing of the Burj .. you mean the sewerage system?

[@matthewdavies2057]

@@uingaeoc3905 Nope. The water supply can only pump fresh water up to the 2/3 mark. There are no working restrooms above that. It's a basic design flaw.

[@GinsuChikara]

He's spoken on the Burj a lot already

[@matthewdavies2057]

@@GinsuChikara Yes, but strangely he never mentions the plumbing issue and the related fact the top 1/3 is empty and not rentable. No water.

[@Kaltagstar96]

All I can think of when I see the Ryugyong Hotel is a quote from Simon in a video from a few years ago when he talked about Kim Jong Un "He couldn't manage the economy, he couldn't even mismanage it like his father did"

[@andylee5759]

Oh my God that's fucking hilarious

[@danielmarcus420]

Damn, Simon going all casual today.

[@ferociousgumby]

The T shirt is the stuff of dreams. . .

[@melimsah]

Right???? I'm not sure I've ever seen his upper arm skin before....

[@ferociousgumby]

@@melimsah I'm speechless!💗

[@BKKfreak]

Blue light + Yellow light. Door opened at almost 90° Casual t-shirt. He's definitely sending secret messages in each video.

[@DDS029]

Add Detroit's (ironically named) Renaissance Center. General Motors, who owns it, is leaving it for smaller digs around the corner. Supposedly, the city, county, state, the owners of the building that GM is moving to, and GM, are working on finding a buyer, tenants, or even considering demolition. Ford buys and restores the historical Michigan Central Railroad building. GM over shoots it's dream. Figures they needed to be bailed out.

[@ryandoughty4773]

If they demolish it, I hope we can search the rubble. Rumor has it Jimmy Hoffa was hidden in the foundation

[@viktorakhmedov3442]

Yes, I just added another comment suggesting it. I still don't believe it as I think that building can be saved, but if demolished I believe it will be the largest/tallest building ever voluntarily demolished. I don't even know how they would do it. I'd put my money on Chrysler Tech Center being abandoned by 2030 too, although the tower portion is only 14? floors, so not exactly a skyscraper. But still, it was the second largest office building in the world behind the Pentagon when it was completed in 1996.

[@markmh835]

In 1996, I attended a conference at the Detroit Renaissance Center. My hotel room was on the 65th floor of the Westin Renaissance Center -- the highest hotel room I've ever had in my life. Everything about that trip to Detroit was fantastic. The food in the restaurant on the top floor (72nd?) was world class. Nearly 30 years later, I still have fond memories of my trip to Detroit.

[@viktorakhmedov3442]

Forgot the Renaissance Center (1978) in Detroit (General Motors' former headquarters) which is planned to be demolished. 73 floors and 5+ million sq. ft., it will be the tallest and largest building ever voluntarily demolished. The Chrysler Auburn Hills Technical Center (1996) is nearly the same size (also one of the largest office buildings in the world) and is not long for the world either, I imagine it will be history by 2030 the way things are going with Chrysler/Stellantis, perhaps even sooner. It's my understanding it's about 75% vacant. The designers anticipated its use might need to change someday so they designed it to be convertible into a... _shopping mall_ (smart 1990s architects)... OOPS

[@blurglide]

I can't believe North Korean tourism couldn't fill that hotel!

[@TitularHeroine]

I know right! Sign me right the f@&% up!

[@hamiltoncouple01]

😂 North Korea’s greatest fake hotel.

[@GeraldBlack1]

Unless there is a pie eating contest, Kim's going to get picked last on the playground.

[@PhuckYT12]

Street hockey bro. He could block the whole goal

[@Unb3arablePain]

If you've heen to New Orleans the Plaza tower looks really impressive from afar, you'd never guess it was a dilapidated structure unoccupied for decades.

[@ignitionfrn2223]

1:10 - Chapter 1 - The ryugyong hotel 6:15 - Chapter 2 - Torre de david (Tower of david) 10:50 - Chapter 3 - Sathorn unique tower 17:00 - Chapter 4 - Plaza tower

[@Rosseboi]

Thank you

[@williestyle35]

I think Sideprojects and Simon should do more of these "abandoned buildings" videos. I liked this one a lot, and have a nominatee for a future video from near where I live : the Majesty Building (aka "I - 4 Eyesore"). This 18 floor, 300 000 square foot waste of space "office tower" sits on a fairly nice lot, right next to Central Florida's main tourist connecting "expressway" (I - 4), in Altamonte Springs, Florida. The *Majesty Building* started life with a "fund as you build" inception from Claud Bowers, then CEO of independent religious broadcaster "Super Station 55" WACX. Building began on the site in 2001, the inner section rising fairly quick before funding dried up a couple of years later. It took a decade to put any outter covering on the incomplete building. Which is where the "Eyesore on I - 4" kinda remains today - an office tower with no actual offices inside, barely covered outside. Please consider the Majesty Building when you do more "abandoned" videos!

[@avon1243]

I lived in Saudi in the early ‘80’s. There was a many-building (more than 50) apartment complex (probably 8 stories only) that was built as housing for bedouins. I can’t remember why but the bedouins rejected living in the apartments. They were never used for anything else so were just abandoned. Never lived in.

[@planetdisco4821]

Probably because they’re a nomadic people and its pretty hard to seasonally move an apartment complex lol

[@dsnodgrass4843]

Born-and-raised Bedouins are physically uncomfortable inside any building with rigid walls. They'll house their livestock in one temporarily, but will hurry to go back outside again themselves. They don't like not being able to see around them, bc of potential for ambush by enemies or bandits.

[@Minecraft-pj4hm]

The benefit of videos such as this , is that it makes your local councils failures pale into insignificance ( the High Street that attempts to block the passage of heavy farm machinery but results in damaged blockades as the machinery gets through etc).

[@williestyle35]

Fun Fact : 11 of the top 12 tallest buildings in the USA all have over 75% occupancy. The lone exception is the new "Freedom Tower" (officially - One World Trade Center) in NCY (it has expansive interior space, is in an expensive market, plus it is still relatively "new").

[@Raulsta1985]

Freedom Tower looks disgusting. America's tallest buildings are tiny.

[@williestyle35]

@@Raulsta1985 while "Freedom Tower" is a design that I do not like, it does have a lot of interior space. Many of America's other "tallest buildings" are generally small at the top, some also have almost too much rentable floorspace.

[@GeoffreyWare]

Oh wow Simon you have legs!! I didn't know you did until I saw them in this video!!

[@thinaphonpetsiri9907]

What I found quite interesting is that Sathorn tower is located just in one of the most bustling part of BKK. You see all the bright modern slick skyscraper all around it at night and then there’s this dark dilapidated building sticking out among them. And I don’t believe in superstition though, but every time I pass this building on my way home from work, it gives me a rather an easy feeling.

[@JosephFallon]

Earthcakes can do a lot of damage alright

[@TitularHeroine]

damage to my gastrointestinal tract alright

[@markhughes2556]

Not as bad as Mud Pies though

[@samiraperi467]

Mudcakes can do damage to one's waist line.

[@EAcapuccino]

Simons wearing a T shirt this time Not his usual dark suits Good to loosen up! 😅

[@cathyb1273]

It's summer time 😁

[@cookingforsingles]

It's so casual! It was the first thing i noticed! 😂

[@0neIntangible]

And with a pocket as well... old school!

[@Logan.]

If I had a dollar for every time simon made a video including the Ryugyong hotel, I could finish the Ryugyong hotel.

[@aegisofhonor]

another one is the former AT&T Center that made headlines earlier this year when it sold for just 3.6 million, a reported 98% drop in value from it's 2006 sale of over 200 million.

[@markmh835]

Where is that one?

[@madderhat5852]

I was just in Bangkok and couldn't believe what I was seeing when I saw that abandoned tower in the middle of the city.

[@LionKimbro]

I love the story of the Torres de David! Let the squatters live in there! 5,000 want to live in there? They change it to make it work out? What's the benefit of leaving it empty, then?

[@Amm17ar]

I climbed the Bangkok Ghost Tower in 2019! It was probably the best part of my trip to Thailand. Extremely sketchy, paid some guy about 20 CAD to get in. And then my partner and I climbed up alone. Took about an hour or so, but we explored along the way. Looked it up later and found out it was "haunted" and learned the history behind it. It is illegal to climb, so fair warning. But what an experience lol. There are definitely a lot of places you can fall to your death if you're not careful. But the top was absolutely amazing and one of the best views of Bangkok imo. Made for some awesome pictures too, could do some extra sketchy climbing on the beams up there if you want. I recommend looking into it when you're there, but again, it is illegal, dangerous and sketchy as hell lol....but an awesome experience ill never forget nor regret none-the-less.

[@simonk5571]

For someone that never visited Thailand, recommending climbing that building in Bangkok is probably the dumbest thing to recommend out of all the things that you can do.

[@Amm17ar]

@@simonk5571 It was hands down the most memorable and unique experience of the trip. By far the best thing we did. I absolutely recommend it, if you're okay with the risks associated..Which I clearly laid out... You might not be, but someone who's willing to enjoy life a bit more might be. Thanks for your 2 cents though!

[@acmelka]

A new ghost tower exists on Petchaburi and Witthayu roads in BKK. Work stopped in 2022. Looks like it is quickly becoming a hazard

[@Nathan-vt1jz]

Honestly most skyscrapers are financially not worth the effort. They are impressive, but often the use cases just aren’t worth it.

[@EasternDreamer615]

I lived near the Sathorn Ghost Tower when I was living in Bangkok earlier this year. It's a beautiful, haunting part of the Bangkok skyline.

[@richardmiller9883]

If you see a th in any Thai word, it's pronounced the same as the th in Thai. (Well, not really, but it's never pronounced like thorn or eth.)

[@aaliyahbeeby]

Combine failed (social & economical) projects, gambling industry, beauty industry, inflated pharmaceutical prices, fast fashion, and entertainment industry. How many people/families could get a nice home/fixer upper with reno money AND one car with all the money that’s constantly wasted (and stolen)?

[@dsnodgrass4843]

Far fewer than ever before, if any. That's more of a systemic issue than an issue of personal choices, tho.

[@tikonc]

it's Chavez with the stress on the Cha not the vez...Chávez

[@MosquitoValentineNH]

You can’t just abandon massive unfinished skyscrapers of exposed (inferior) concrete to the elements for long periods of time and just pick back up again. The amount of compromise done to structures is often insidious but can’t be overstated

[@francus7227]

14:00 Lebua at State Tower Bangkok was used for the movie Hangover II ..... I've sat on the same steps at the top used in the movie. Beautiful view.

[@0fficialdregs]

I remember the tower of david, there was a documentary about it with homeless families living in the half finished building for years. I miss those people

[@grnpunkboy]

You should do a second video and add in 161 maiden lane in nyc.. 60 story building in the financial district that was never finished being built

[@sailinbob11]

Where is N. Korea gonna find anyone to go there ? Not even on a bet.

[@aerenae]

People have been there. The one guy tore down and tried to ste a poster of one of the Kim's and spent time in a labour camp, pre covid. He wound up dying not long after his release

[@smooshiebear80]

Dennis Rodman is apparently a buddy of Kim Jong Un 🤷🏼‍♀️

[@darthtac]

Am I the only one who thinks that the Ryugyong Hotel looks like the lair of a bond villain?

[@extragoogleaccount6061]

It did before they put the cladding on

[@apelsinuke]

resuming construction of an abandoned hotel sounds fine until you realize it's been aging and "marinating" under the elements for roughly 20 years. (roughly almost 35 years now..)

[@tappajaav]

Water damage is a serious threat

[@Axiomatic75]

I've been inside the one in Bangkok, it's pretty cool. Went again a few years ago but couldn't access it anymore.

[@America_won]

"unlicensed dentist" is very trust worthy.

[@kevinbarry71]

Both the Empire State building and the Chrysler building were not only completed but they have been in continuous use from then until this day. separately, many of the structures you describe are not skyscrapers. A 45 story building or a 49 story building is a high-rise, not a skyscraper.

[@omarchowdri4427]

Another building to add to a list (in any future follow up) is the Bahria Icon Tower in Karachi, Pakistan. The building was going to be built by one of the country's biggest developers during a massive real estate boom in the 2010s. But the project has been on hold for almost a decade after a massive corruption and political scandal (Omni Group Scandal) involving the (at the time) former and (at present) current President of Pakistan. The building's very problematic, built between a very important Shrine and Hindu temple. They're trying to sell it now but no one's buying it (per coverage on Profit PK).

[@Doctor_Buckets]

They have buildings in paki-stan? Thought everyone lived in dirt holes

[@CaptainGyro]

Great script. Great production. Presenter extraordinaire.

[@Ubique2927]

There has been an empty, unfinished, high rise on the Manila Bay sea front since the early 1990s.

[@lmao_tse_tung]

There's a Belarusian post punk band called Molchat Doma and one of their album covers features an impossible looking building. I'd always thought it was a fictional drawing but turns out it's Ryugyong. And for good measure another album cover is of a monument to the party in Pyongyang.

[@AceUzumazi]

The whole time I lived in New Orleans from when I was born until I moved when I was ten, I had NO idea that Plaza Tower wasn't in use. Of course I didn't know it's name either! So thank you morons for not taking care of my favorite building from when I was a kid and now it's going to be demolished!

[@bgood1673]

Nice dessert menu! I can’t decide between earth cake or mud pie…

[@glennrugar9248]

Abandoned? Nah I'm sure it has a thriving homeless, drug addict, population that call it home

[@aerenae]

That's abandoned of course!!

[@nyykSIUUU]

I remember seeing that skyscraper in Thailand yeeears ago. They just hung a massive advertising board over it

[@shatteredrealm6506]

I can see it from my condo, It’s Apple’s favourite place to advertise here which I always found odd as it doesn’t really fit in with their clean/sleek brand.

[@kevanhubbard9673]

I wonder if the Holiday Inn in Beirut is still abandoned?I use to walk past it nearly every day.Guessing it was about 15 floors high.

[@Butcherbg]

I think this can be safely called 'the Babylon syndrome".

[@lnr12241]

China has entire cities full of skyscrapers that were never used

[@francisko4932]

Should do a video about Plaza rakyat, an abandon project in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

[@dave_made_it]

Im very rarely in the 1 hr club Lol. I needed one of these today

[@erfquake1]

Outside Denver the big internet company Lucent Technologies tossed a crap-ton of money down to build their big new headquarters near Highlands Ranch, got the county to name the new road going there after them...and the company got dissolved into bankruptcy before the building was ever finished. Only the road name remains.

[@CoreyB0]

10:42 is that the same thing as a dirt cake?

[@Sardatfk]

2:18 why the hell would you use a ashtray like that

[@seanmcdirmid]

Always count on Tianjin to have a few derelict skyscrapers lying around.

[@LiterallyJustAnActualPotato]

I love these mega project videos ❤

[@edwardeverett5627]

11:47 I've stayed opposite the Sathorn Unique tower in Bangkok it was supposed to match the luxury hotel but as apartments or something like that. It's still an impressive building

[@SonicPhonic]

A university history professor friend taught me the word "pharonic" decades ago. How many leaders have built un-necessary massive structures and ignored necessities like water lines, sewer lines, bridges and schools? Politicians always want to follow travel trends and build Olympic stadiums, massive aquariums, shopping malls and airports. They need to be more practical and creative. They should speak to local artists, not always architects.

[@Mrgunsngear]

🇺🇸

[@firstnamelastname6216]

Hey, cool seeing you here!!! 👍✌️

Very interesting video, thank you for the presentation.

[@mephistosprincipium]

funny I actually just came a cross that building today and wondered what this abandoned skyscraper is and I actually wanted to explore it😮, it’s located at saphan taksin metro station bangkok

[@AndyJarman]

It's extraordinary how despite a Communist government capitalism spontaneously develops in the Caracus building. Take away state interference and people will start cooperating and making a go of things!

[@joshuaableiter4545]

The first HQ for corporatized crime.

[@funkitpod]

Hi from 🇹🇭 🙏 the ‘ghost tower’ is still frequently visited by tourists.

[@BasementPepperoni]

lol, imagine my shock when I heard that giant waste of money in North Korea was nothing more than a stereotypical Tofu Dreg building.

[@loganburntitus6948]

the poor building suffered an earthcake, 10:00, can we give it a pass =P

[@ferociousgumby]

An earthcake would taste terrible.

[@ProbablyNotLegit]

"syscrapers are a show of prosperity" *shows Ryugyong Hotel in DPRK*

[@Cdearle]

Simon prior to the recording: Ree-yug-yong Ree-yug-yong Ree-yug-yong Ree-yug-yong…

[@gagamba9198]

I recall once he even said ree - you - gee -yong. FWIW, the pronunciation is two syllables and not three or four.

[@cookingforsingles]

Does Simon actually talk that fast? I can't imagine he could while reading a teleprompter. I have to slow the video down for my brain to process it 😂

[@0neIntangible]

It would also help if he learned to speak English. ;- )

[@stevezonneveld5171]

I'm currently watching at 1.75X speed..

[@aerenae]

He's actually an AI. How else can someone release so many videos for so many channels?

[@cookingforsingles]

@@aerenae 😂😂😂

[@lowstringc]

I watch almost everything at 2x so it doesn’t sound like the speaker is in slow motion and underwater…. Different brains process different.

[@kevhayden6506]

How is the Majesty Building in Altamonte Springs Florida not on this list. lol. 24 years and counting.

[@SuzysRedStripes]

Interesting!

[@simonk5571]

The one in Bangkok you dont even notice since theres so many other skyscrappers in the city (ranked 13th in the world in numbers). Unless your a tourist and actually looking for it.

[@_Breakdown]

1:35 - - pyramids

[@scottmeredith3359]

“Populist” reforms in Venezuela? I think you meant “socialist” Simon

[@martinvannostrand8488]

Populism refers to what the people want, it’s not an actual ideology. If the people want socialism then there you go

[@custos3249]

You assume you're dealing with serious people here.

[@geoarambula139]

Educate yourself on the definition of populism

[@LordDustinDeWynd]

Howdy from Temple, Texas, USA! How're y'all?

[@dave_made_it]

Hey. St. Louis in the building

[@suavemosquito551]

Hell yeah Texas. Ft. Worth here 🎉

[@mvb88]

Papamoa, New Zealand

[@Makabert.Abylon]

Åby Norrköping Sverige här från framtiden 22.23, dags för sängen. Tisdagskvällen var ganska bra, så ni har en bra kväll att se fram emot.

[@Cheefjaymz]

Washington state here. Hello!

[@CptnJCFG]

I never understood why they just don't demolish the tower of David. I mean it's never going to be finished and it looks awful, specially since it's in the middle of the city

[@glennelliott708]

The worlds largest billboard lives in N Korea, the Chinese must be so envious.

[@Bonjour-World]

Not even ghosts want to risk walking around Plaza Tower.

[@JaredLS10]

No Blazer?! How am I supposed to take you seriously Simon?

[@charlesburke2379]

Not abandoned. But maybe never occupied to begin with. This could be a trend with many of Asia's impressive skyscrapers. Several of Shanghai's super-scrapers are thought never occupied. And North Korea's gleaming 90 story "peoples" hotel is said empty because the nation does not allow tourism or travel of any kind.

[@BioToxin]

10:42 EARTH CAKE 😂

[@IVWOR]

Цікаве та пізнавальне відео. Дякую❤

[@StoneDeceiver]

fact boy dressed like the most average roommate that likes to cook and play games of all time

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

Man who walks through airport turnstile sideways going to Bangkok

[@VintageThaiLadyBoy]

Do you think this joke really applies to Bangkok though when most turnstiles here are of the retractable-gate type not the tripod one? Do I get the joke right?

[@user-jy3io4iz2p]

Kremlin is about to make the biggest Lada. And everybody wants one 😅

[@peteconradjr.8605]

He probably shouldn't wear short sleeves with those tanlines.

[@Zenithx622]

Well Nk's hotel of doom does have one thing going for it, makes anice giant bill board.

[@foxtailedcritter]

"Nothing was done." Ah the true American way.

[@markgarin6355]

....north korean..... "what's a guest?"

[@maruku4445]

21:11 Nothing of vault was lost.

[@carlitoshoued7400]

It's time for another video about Lost Roman Legions... Namely the lost legion in the Sahara

[@jimmaforprez]

2:18 the cigar is upside-down, that way would ash on the table. Fascinating tangent 🍊....back to the video

[@chirstopherbull]

And then there is the Macao themed casino in Saipan, Northern Marianas Islands.

[@lizardtattoo1]

Oddly enough, next door to Venezuela, the same thing exists in Bogota. The BD Bacatá building is the tallest in Colombia... and unfinished since 2018