16 Historic Pieces Of Architecture That Got Lost In The Concrete Jungles We Now Call Home

Instead of preserving them, some of them don't exist anymore.

Lakeisha

• Published in Interesting
• July 23, 2022

So many changes have occurred over the years in different aspects of the world, including architecture. Some buildings that were once glamorous and seemed like they would be in the spotlight forever have faded away quietly.

The general public often overlooks good architectural designs from years back. To many, it's just another building.

While the rest of the world might seem in haste to move on to whatever architectural feat is popular now, some history lovers are trying to preserve the memories of those from the past. A subreddit, Lost Architecture, is one such community dedicated to documenting some of the most amazing buildings ever built that sadly no longer exist.

The community was created by Tom Ravenscroft, the editor of Dezeen – the world's largest architect and design site.

The architectural historian decided to create the subreddit after he posted a picture of Bertrand Goldberg's Brutalist Prentice Hospital in Chicago on Reddit before it was demolished and realized that there wasn't a subreddit dedicated to lost architecture.

So far, the community has attracted over 133,000 members who share a deep passion for buildings. We have curated some of the best pictures the community members shared that would blow your mind.

1. This was once the oldest building in Hamburg, Germany. It was built in 1504 and was demolished in 1910.

2. ISIS destroyed this 3rd Century building in Syria in 2017.

3. This is what Times Square in New York, US looked like in 1919

4. This building was built in 1898. That is what it looks like today.

5. The original Waldorf Hotel was built in 1893. In 1929 it was demolished, and the site was used to house The Empire State Building.

6. This luxurious hotel, Hotel New Netherland, was built in 1893 and demolished in 1927.

7. This building was built in 1886 but was destroyed by fire in 1906.

8. The St. Ludwig Monastery in the Netherlands was built in 1909 and demolished in 2015.

9. The Old Detroit Library was built in 1865 and demolished in 1931.

10. Graphical reconstruction of an Indian Temple.

11. The Bowhead House was the main entrance to the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from the West in the 1500s.

12. This monument was destroyed in World War II.

13. This was also destroyed in World War II.

14. World War II also destroyed this monument.

15. The Elisabeth Bridge was destroyed in WW2.

16. The SS Normandie was a French ocean liner that sailed the oceans from 1935 until 1942, when it was destroyed by fire.

In Summary...

Old buildings have an allure to them that newer buildings cannot replicate. The Lost Architecture is committed to showcasing old buildings that no longer exist today for one reason or another.

The community warmly invites people from different parts of the world to share their city's historic buildings on the subreddit (r/Lost_Architecture). History is what gives a city character and a sense of community.

One of the best ways for a city to acknowledge its history is by preserving its old buildings and structures. That helps the city keep its unique values, character, and beauty.

Old buildings tell a city's story and allow newer generations to learn about their past and take pride in it. Therefore, it is critical that we preserve our historical buildings.

It is no surprise that the most important cities in the world have historical buildings to prove their deep history.

Lakeisha