America's approach to adapting to modernization has led to the sacrifice of many wonderful architectural structures, paving the way for bland skyscrapers or commercial properties.
A user named Culture Critic shared pictures of the country’s old architectural marvels on platform X that are lost to time and replaced by the most common buildings instead. Let’s have a look at a few of those:
Cincinnati Library: Having its roots as early as the 1800s, this library was a beacon of knowledge with great architecture and an extensive collection of books until it was torn down in 1955 due to a lack of space and the need for modern equipment and functions. Now a parking lot and an office space stand in its place.
The Chicago Federal Building (1905-1965): Used to be a grandeur from the 1990s as the largest dome in the US and a marvel of the Beaux-Arts era, the building was demolished in 1965 to accommodate more government depts. Now the modernist Kluczynski Federal Building stands in its place.
Old Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, NYC (1893-1929): Built in 1893 this colossal marvel was of German Renaissance design that used to be the world’s largest hotel with luxury standards of its own. It was demolished in 1929 to create space for the Empire State Building.
The Singer Building (1908-1968): One of the earliest skyscrapers to be built and termed as the tallest building on Earth, it was demolished due to its ancient floor plan considered inefficient for modern use in 1968.
Garrick Theater, Chicago (1891-1961): Designed by Louis Sullivan, this majestic theatre was a landmark of modern architecture with wonderful ornamentation. It was demolished in 1961 despite huge protests to make a parking garage in its place.
Old Penn Station, NYC (1910-1963): Marked as New York’s majestic gateway, it was one of the greatest train stations ever built. However, just after 50 years, it was demolished to build the Madison Square Garden in 1963.
The “Mayan Revival” Fisher Theatre, Detroit (1928-1961): Built in 1928 this majestic theater still stands inside the Fisher Building in Detroit, but in a modernized state.
Old Metropolitan Opera House, NYC (1883-1967): This grand structure was demolished for a bland commercial property when the Metropolitan Opera Association refused to compete with a new company buying the building when they moved to a new venue.
Old Detroit Library (1877-1931): A five-storied library with ornamented iron railings and towering columns, it was deemed inefficient to climb the tall bookshelves in a modern world, demolishing it in 1931.
Festival Hall, St. Louis (1904-1905): A classicism gem built to host large-scale musical pageants, here the World's Fair held in 1904. It was a temporary structure made with only plaster and wood which was later demolished after the fair.
Erie County Savings Bank, Buffalo (1893-1968): Built in 1893, this was a unique building with a Romanesque design. However, it was demolished in the 1960s due to the ‘urban renewal’ project with a bland modern building taking its place.