Skyscrapers have pierced the air for over 150 years, but occasionally these huge structures are damaged, fall out of favour, or outlive their original purpose.
JPMorgan Chase recently outlined plans to demolish SOM's 270 Park Avenue in New York City and replace the building with a modern 70-storey tower.
If this demolition was to go forward, 270 Park Avenue would become the tallest building ever demolished, as well as the first over 200 metres in height.
Take a look at the ten tallest buildings to ever be levelled, as well as a special mention to some Australian towers that broke the 100 metre mark.
141m, Completed 1982
The demolition of Tokyo’s Grand Prince Hotel Akasaka in 2013 was unique in that it didn’t involve wrecking balls or explosives. A crane was used to take out all the beams, concrete and panelling from the inside, floor by floor. It made way for Tokyo Garden Terrace Kioicho-Kioi Tower and Kioi Residence.
142m, Completed 1993
Demolished in 2009 to make way for much-needed office space. The building was located on one of Hong Kong's most valuable business sites. The new Ritz-Carlton stands at 484 metres with a bar and pool located on the 118th floor.
148m, Completed 1908
The City Investing Building was part of a group of buildings that were all among the tallest in the world during the early part of the 20th century. It was demolished in 1968 to make way for 1 Liberty Plaza.
150m, Completed 2014
Demolished in 2014 to make way for the new Menera Run Razak Tower. It remains the tallest building in Malaysia ever to be demolished.
150m, Completed 1999
One Meridian Plaza famously caught fire in 1991. The fire lasted over nineteen hours, destroyed eight floors, killed three firefighters and injured twenty-four. It was demolished in 1999 after sitting vacant for eight years. It has now been replaced by the Ritz-Carlton.
152m, Completed 1974
At the time of its 1974 completion, the UIC Building was the tallest structure in Singapore and one of the tallest buildings in Southeast Asia. The building was demolished in 2013 to make way for V on Shendon, a 54-storey mixed residential and commercial tower.
158m, Completed 1974
Demolished in 2011 after being heavily damaged in the September 11th, 2001 attacks. The building was designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, the same architecture firm that designed the Empire State Building.
160m, Completed 1925
The hotel famously offered 2,210 rooms at the height of its popularity. It was demolished in 1965 to make room for the First National Bank Building, now known as the Chase Tower.
171m, Completed 1976
In November 2015, the building was sold to Ascendas Land for S$550 million (AU$543 million). The last tenants moved out on 20 February 2017 before the building was demolished in 2018 to make way for a 29-storey office building.
187m, Completed 1908
The building was the headquarters for the Singer Sewing Machine Company. For a very short time, it was the tallest building in the world, until 1909 when it was surpassed by the Metropolitan Life Tower. The Singer Building was demolished in 1968 to make way for 1 Liberty Plaza.
Australia's Tallest Buildings Ever Demolished
125m, Completed 1977
When it was completed in 1977, it was the 10th tallest building in Sydney. The building stood for 15 years before being dismantled to make way for the Governor Phillip Tower.
128m, Completed 1965
The contemporary modular office block was designed by architect Ken Woolley. The ground breaking design responded specifically to Australian conditions by incorporating innovative sun protection measures. It was demolished in 1997 to make way for Aurora Place.
