[LSyd]

New York Life Insurance Building - Montreal 1888

http://collections.ic.gc.ca/montreal/img/d287.jpg

Shell Mex House - London, 1886

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/622/9dsc00677.jpg

Ryounkaku - Tokyo, 1890

http://instruct1.cit.cornell.edu/courses/arch339/images/13%20storey.jpeg

Senate House - University of London, 1937

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/53557147.jpg

Royal Liver Building - Liverpool, 1911

http://jonathan.rawle.org/pg/liverpool/images/liver.jpg

this is a start...please add more

-

[peo]

Palacio Salvo, Montevideo

http://www.chasque.apc.org/giancare/madre/esmeralda_pags/FOTOS/HIGH/Palacio%20Salvo_2.jpg

[peo]

Don't know the name, Santiago, Chile

http://www.kactusfoto.cl/photos/popup/KA03469.jpg

[MolsonExport]

Aldred Building (1920s):
http://www.macalester.edu/geography/courses/geog261/asmith/aldred%20building.jpg

Sun-Life Building (built in stages, 1913-1931)
http://www.allo-montreal.com/sunlife.jpg

Windsor Station (built in stages, 1887-1916)
http://www.wcrr2006.org/images/windsor_station2.jpg

St. James Street (1930):
http://www.vieux.montreal.qc.ca/histoire/images/00_p28a.jpg

New York Life Insurance Building (in Montreal, 1889):
http://www.robic.ca/images/002-EdificeNewYorkLife1903.jpg

[Boris2k7]

Calgary Herald Building (Southam building)
Completed 1913
Demolished 1972

It is really sad that this one got demolished. It was Calgary's first building over 6 stories.

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3986/na368135za.jpghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/8213/na272339jk.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1293/na257534we.jpg
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3138/pa352734sk.jpg
^ Pic from the 1940's - 1950's. You can see the Southam building in the centre.

It even had friggin gargoyles:
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/5864/na168313lv.jpghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/6775/na168325yq.jpghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2773/na168333ep.jpghttp://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1369/na168346ll.jpg

From left to right: The Ither Architect, The Editor, The Sub-Editor, The Architect, The Stenographer, The Charwoman, The Printer's Devil, The Typesetter

[LSyd]

^ whoa, those gargoyles are awesome...sad loss.

-

[The Chemist]

^AFAIK, the gargoyles still exist, but I'm not sure of their whereabouts.

[Boris2k7]

At least 2 of them are at the University of Calgary (The Typesetter, and the Charwoman) in the link between Mac Hall and the Science buildings.

[JBinCalgary]

its a damn shame we dont have those old buildings anymore! the herald building was an absolute gem, and i dont know what piece of trash is on top of it now

[CGII]

http://www.pbase.com/lsyd/image/53557147.jpg
Might I add the building that Orwell envisioned as the 'Ministry of Truth.'

[AtlanticaC5]

Some Swedish old-schoolers:

Kungstornen (The Kings's Towers), Stockholm, 17 floors, 1924 & 1925
http://www.kungstornen.se/img/frontal_photo3.jpg

http://images.tradera.com//458/24502458_1.jpg

Otterhall, Göteborg, 17 floors, 1938
http://images.tradera.com//052/24744052_1.jpg

Sportpalatset, 1930 (left), Sankt Erikspalatset, 1909, Stockholm, 12 floors?
http://images.tradera.com//872/21894872_1.jpg

Strand Hotel, Stockholm, 13 floors, 1912
http://www.travelohotel.net:8080/inter/images/1201.gif

http://www.clickstockholmhotels.com/t/hotels/STO_RADS-exter-1.jpg

[SHOFEAR]

Edmonton





HOTEL HISTORY


The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald has long been known as Edmonton's most elegant hotel and is lovingly referred to as 'The Mac.' After four years of construction, the hotel, named after Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, opened its doors on July 05, 1915 and was destined to become the center of Edmonton's social life.

Situated high on the bank overlooking the North Saskatchewan River valley, the seven-story Grand Trunk Pacific Hotel (faced with Indiana limestone and roofed with copper) was built and furnished at a cost of about $2,250,000 (over $35 million today). The characteristic Chateau style, an adaptation of French 16th Century castles, was first brought to Canada in 1892.

In 1953, a 16-story, 300-bedroom addition was built to meet the pressing need for more rooms and convention facilities. The very marked change in architecture from the original Chateau-style of 1915 caused Edmontonians to refer to the addition as 'The Mac and the box it came in.' The addition was demolished in 1986.

After more than half a century of glamour, The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald closed its doors in 1983 after the Universiade Games, as it had fallen into a state of disrepair. On January 08, 1985, the City of Edmonton designated the hotel as a Municipal Heritage Resource (and thereby saving it from the wrecking ball!) and was the first building in Edmonton to receive this special designation. Five heritage areas are included in the designation: The building exterior, the Confederation Lounge, the Lobby, the Wedgwood Room, and the Empire Ballroom.

Over the next several years, the owners debated how (and if) the hotel should be developed. Canadian Pacific Hotels came to the rescue in 1988 when it bought the chain of CN hotel properties. A total commitment was made to restore The Hotel Macdonald to its former elegance and to re-establish its importance in the community. In 1999, Canadian Pacific Hotels merged with Fairmont Hotels to create the largest luxury hotel management company in North America - Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

Restored, The Hotel Macdonald, exuding a feeling of Victorian elegance, re-opened its doors to the public on May 15, 1991. The hotel boasted every modern convenience while preserving its heritage detailing.

During the restoration, a number of specialty suites were constructed in what had once been the attic of the hotel. These suites feature turret spaces and breathtaking views of the city and the river valley. The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald's grandest suite, the Royal Suite, is built on two levels and includes a large foyer, dining room, service pantry, two bedrooms, two and one-half bathrooms, and spacious living room. Guests staying in this grand suite have space to entertain up to 50 people.

The guestrooms throughout the hotel were also completely reconstructed during the restoration. Paying homage to its roots, the door knobs of the guestroom closets are original -- complete with the Grand Trunk Rail monogram. With only 198 rooms in total, this 'new' hotel became Fairmont Hotels & Resorts boutique chateau-style hotel.

Over the years, 'The Mac' has proudly hosted visitors from all walks of life, including the many American soldiers stationed here during World War II. The royal visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (later known as the Queen Mother) in 1939 caused throngs of well-wishers to gather below the main balcony in hopes of a glance (and creating Edmonton's first traffic jam).

Since its re-opening, the hotel has hosted many dignitaries and celebrities including royalty, political leaders, and entertainers. Now it's your turn!

The Fairmont Hotel Macdonald -- Edmonton's Place for Every Occasion.


Hotel Macdonald
http://www.1stedmontonhotels.com/w/hotels/1000000/10000/1600/1565/1565_10_b.jpg


McLeod Building, Edmonton (Designated a Provincial Historic Resource on January 3, 1995)
Historical Summary: Kenneth McLeod, a former Edmonton alderman, contractor and real estate speculator, announced the construction of the McLeod Building in 1912, claiming it would be the highest in the city, 25 feet taller than the Tegler. Construction of the nine-storey structure began in 1913 and was completed in 1915. Twelve hundred tons of steel was required mainly because McLeod ordered footings to be 11 square feet, large enough for a 50-storey building. It was also the first building in Edmonton to be wired with conduit. The contractors of the $600,000 building were Olsen and Johnson, and the steel contractors were McPhee and Nicodemus. With the Polson Building in Spokane, Washington as the model, McLeod commissioned the architect, John K. Dow to build a duplicate in Edmonton

The McLeod Building is regarded as Alberta’s best remaining example of an architectural style for commercial buildings known as the “Chicago School” which was developed in Chicago at the turn of the century by architects such as Louis Sullivan, Holabird and Roche, William Jenny, and Burnham and Root. Chicago School features include the massing and stressed verticality, heavy overhanging cornice, the use of terra cotta on the exterior (rare in Edmonton and Alberta), and the three-part division into the ground floor, intermediate floors, and top floor with cornice. Despite this modernity, many details such as the balconet over the entry, window keystones, colored tiles, entablature with heavy modillions and classical ornamentation along the cornice edge, reflect Edwardian classicism.

http://www.perma-sealglass.com/Projects/images/mcleod01.JPG



The Tegler Building was built in 1911 by Edmonton entrepreneur and philanthropist, Robert Tegler. Designed by H. A. Magoon, the Tegler Building was known to be one of the earliest reinforced concrete buildings in Alberta, and the first fireproof office building in Edmonton. The stone used for its construction was quarried from a rock coulee near Fort MacLeod. An eight-storey addition was constructed in 1913 to accommodate the expansion of James Ramsey`s department store, which remained here until 1929. The Tegler Building is clad in red brick and white stone, with the entablature and other detailing of pressed tin. Primarily Classical in its detailing, it is representative of the transition to the Sullivanesque modern era and achieves a balance in horizontals and verticals. Some of the Classical detailing includes corner quoins, pilasters, and a two-storey balcony with engaged Ionic columns and a balustrade which accents the upper floors.

link to video of demolition in 1982
http://images.google.ca/imgres?imgurl=http://www.epl.ca/Resources/Photos/Buildings/Ani-EA-624-33-63-Fast.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.epl.ca/EPLPhotoBuildings.cfm&h=214&w=300&sz=147&tbnid=A4mOzANtDpCDuM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=111&hl=en&start=7&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dedmonton%2Bdemolished%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN
http://www.epl.ca/Resources/Photos/Buildings/EA-500-352.gif

[scrubbs]

winnipeg:

union bank tower 1903 11 stories
http://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/features/walkingtours/exchange/unionbank.jpg

[try 2B funny]

Peace Hotel, Shanghai, 1931

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/try2Bfunny/392683.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/try2Bfunny/022.jpg

http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a187/try2Bfunny/imgShanghai_htl7_1.jpg

[LSyd]

^ we need to see more of Shanghai's art deco gems...there was a great site i saw a few weeks ago, but couldn't find it today.

-

[Urban Sky]

Kungstornen (The Kings's Towers), Stockholm, 17 floors, 1924 & 1925
http://www.kungstornen.se/img/frontal_photo3.jpg



Wow...

[Stu]

Chauteau Laurier - Ottawa

http://www.fineart.utoronto.ca/canarch/ontario/ottawa.jpgs/20-25.jpg

[kznyc2k]

This is one of the best threads I've seen on SSP in a long time....had I any familiarity with countries other than the good ol' USA I'd contribute something, but instead all I can say is, keep up the good work guys.

[Depredator]

Torre de Madrid - year 1957 - 142m (162m antenna)

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/616/255casas_de_renta_antigua_torre_madrid-madrid.jpg

Edificio España - year 1953 - 117m

http://www.nonstoptotokyo.co.uk/madrid/06_edificio_de_espana.jpg

[grollo]

The Australian Building, Melbourne

Built : 1889
Height
(to roof) : 47
(to pinnacle) : 53
number of floors : 12

Third tallest skyscraper in the world when completed and possibly the first 12 storey office building in the world?

The building on the left in this pic:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/0/im/pi000485.jpg
Demolished and replaced with a 4 storey office building in 1981 :mad:


ICI House, the tallest building in Australia pre-1960's:

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/2/im/pi002379.jpg

[trueviking]

^damn....that top building was a beaut.

winnipeg has western canada's first 'skyscraper' (still standing)....also one of the first steel framed buildings in canada....built in 1904...48m high.

the flag pole on the top was the highest flag pole in the british commonwealth.

http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/main_street/images/union_bank_front_lge.jpg

http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/main_street/images/union_bank_east_lge.jpg


crap!!!!....i just noticed that scrubbs already posted this.....sorry guys...my bad.

[1ajs]

Confederation building across the street from union tower in winnipeg.......
built 1911
http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/main_street/images/confederation4_lge.jpg

Paris Building Portage and Gary
built in 1915
http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/portage_avenue/images/paris_building_lge.jpg

Union Trust Tower 1911-12
Lombard and Main st
http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/lombard_avenue/images/nationalbank_lge.jpg


Hamilton Building 1916
McDermot and main
http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/main_street/images/hamilton_lge.jpg


Federal Building 1935
http://canada.archiseek.com/manitoba/winnipeg/downtown/main_street/images/federal_building_lge.jpg

[jeffwhit]

At least 2 of them are at the University of Calgary (The Typesetter, and the Charwoman) in the link between Mac Hall and the Science buildings.
Some of the gargoyles (for sure the Stenographer, I can't remember what else) were added to the facade of the Alberta Hotel (Murrietas) They're easy to spot.

[LSyd]

Torre de Madrid - year 1957 - 142m (162m antenna)

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/616/255casas_de_renta_antigua_torre_madrid-madrid.jpg

Edificio España - year 1953 - 117m

http://www.nonstoptotokyo.co.uk/madrid/06_edificio_de_espana.jpg

thank you so much!!! i remember seeing the Edificio España when i stayed a few blocks away, but never knew the name of it :tup:

Demolished and replaced with a 4 storey office building in 1981

:(

-

[althegreat III]

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/0/im/pi000485.jpg

wow. That the Autralia we NEVER hear about!

How come no one's posting ols school Toronto shit?

[gertt510]

Buenos Aires:

Edificio Kavanagh - 120m - 1935:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/6336/kavanagh01jpg7am.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/1909/kavanagh02jpg6ik.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Palacio Barolo - 100m - 1923:

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/831/barolo69xi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/6906/barolo75pw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Torre Bencich - 80m - 1929:

http://img83.imageshack.us/img83/9135/sofiteljpg8hd.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img104.imageshack.us/img104/8590/bencich29wg.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Others:

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8084/1930plazacolon7ie.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img345.imageshack.us/img345/9513/ba3934zw.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img236.imageshack.us/img236/107/ba4126pi.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/2892/ba4615qp.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/5456/095vv.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/1369/edificiolibertador057hk.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Blue 24]

cool

[LSyd]

whoa, thanks gert. buenos aires=beautiful, especially Kavanagh.

-

[VivaLFuego]

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/0/im/pi000485.jpg

wow. That the Autralia we NEVER hear about!

How come no one's posting ols school Toronto shit?
Yeah, it's interesting how it looks quite similar to olde tyme American cities

[JManc]

BsAs = awesome. i'd love to explore that city as i'm sure it has a lot of hidden gems from the first half of the century...its heyday.

[columbusOHsam]

That old school Australia photo is superb!

[keninhalifax]

I very much like that Kavanagh building in Buenos Aires!

[Jeff_in_Dayton]

Definetly agree about the Kavanagh Bldg. BA has some great stuff

...and those Melbourne pix..lol..yes it does look like a US city from years ago.

@@@@@@

There actually where a (very) few pre WWII German high rises...I know of one in Bochum or Essen, one in Cologne, and this one in Frankfurt, from around 1929-30

http://web.uni-frankfurt.de/fb08/SAG/graphiken/ig-farben-10.jpg

http://www.DesignCommunity.com/scrapbook/images/75.jpg

Forme corporate HQ of the IG Farben conglomerate it became the US Occupation HQ after WWII.

[LSyd]

i saw a pic of one in Casablanca from a WWII book, but this is the best shot i can find of it on the web (and a better city view than the book.) it's on the middle to the right.

http://www.playle.com/MISTYRR/9/9-491.JPG

according to Emporis, there's 3 mid-1930s high-rises there. :cool:

-

[LSyd]

when i started this thread, i had very exotic locations in mind (no offense to the Brits and Canadians,) especially the older gems of Shanghai. thanks to skybean on SSC for posting many of 'em:

North China Daily News & AIA Building

http://static.flickr.com/48/147724782_fd5f24224a_b.jpg

Glen Line Building

http://static.flickr.com/54/147725167_dedfee9046_b.jpg

Bank of Communications

http://static.flickr.com/44/147724622_207734e927_b.jpg

Cathay Hotel (aka Peace Hotel)

http://static.flickr.com/50/147724927_9d294910c9_b.jpg

Custom House / Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9781/169413291fb69fe6e11b1zn.jpg

-

[LSyd]

55 Broadway, headquarters of the London Underground - 1927, 54 meters, photo by WJFox2004

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b387/wjfox2005/London_7/26.jpg

-

[Papa Lazarou]

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/9781/169413291fb69fe6e11b1zn.jpg
Modelled on the Pier Head, Liverpool. Influenced by the Royal Liver Building. :)

[salvius]

Some old school Toronto 'shit' :)...

CCN (1930)

http://img125.imageshack.us/img125/152/13050859049107dff86uf2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

The Royal York (1929)

http://img123.imageshack.us/img123/1908/1552079691fac8e33a0ul5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Old City Hall (1899)

http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/2972/210293391f7fc7df99boi2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Canada Life (1931)

http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/2151/canadalifebuildingwo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Optima Business Centre (1915)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/2986/buildingphotovo4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Concourse Building (1928)

http://img146.imageshack.us/img146/8029/concoursebuilding1vx5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Whitney Block (1933)

http://img110.imageshack.us/img110/7979/whitneyblockxe5.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Canadian Pacific (1911)

http://img113.imageshack.us/img113/20/69yongestreetun3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Traders Bank (1905)

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9278/tbb2oc7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

There's a ton missing, but I can't find the pics as easily. You can find many of them on Emporis.

And to put in perspective, here's how it all looked like back then (all pics ~1930 +-5):

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/8807/f1244it10017zo0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img301.imageshack.us/img301/9417/baysouthfromqueen1930ri9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

This one is a bit older:

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/2084/f1244it1725db1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

And finally our greatest loss--the beautiful old Toronto Star building, replaced by the crappiest tall in the CBD, the First Canadian Place:

http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/3820/f1244it10093uk9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[Lecom]

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/0/im/pi000485.jpg

wow. That the Autralia we NEVER hear about!

How come no one's posting ols school Toronto shit?
Wow nice, this could easily be early New York or (less likely, different skyscraper style) Chicago for all I know.

[salvius]

Whoops, wrong thread.

[zoeninho]

mexico city 1955
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/illknot_69/65.jpg

[zoeninho]

mexico city 40's and 50's
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/illknot_69/65-1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/illknot_69/mexico02.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f318/illknot_69/mexico13.jpg

[LSyd]

thanks everyone for posting.

Toronto Beard Building - 1894, 7 stories

http://img244.imageshack.us/img244/1504/373462xh3.jpg

"White House" - Rotterdam, 13 stories, it survived WWII

http://www.engelfriet.net/Alie/Hans/geldersekademystery.jpg

Warsaw - PAST telephone building, 9 floors, 51 meters, 1906-1908, another WWII survivor

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/94/PAST.jpg

http://www.pw44.pl/album/obiekt01pasta.gif

-

[Mister F]

Isn't the tower part of the Whitney Block now empty? Something about not meeting the Fire Code?

More shots of Commerce Court North (first one's mine):

http://static.flickr.com/46/172337438_2fc1c1443f_o.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v88/brighterhell/Miscellaneous/CCN.jpg

now dwarfed by its neighbours :eek:

http://madhava.com/photo/gooderham_march2003/m_three_towers.jpg

[tradlak]

Now those were buildings. I'm starting to hate these boxy glass curtain wall buildings. Those big brooding masonry hulks with all their detailing and terracotta were like cathedrals.

[GNU]

nice thread.
I think there are too many buildings to be mentioned for Berlin alone.

This is one exmple though since its close to my house:
This used to be the Karstadt shopping mall that was built in 1929 and it survived the countless bombing raids and the Soviet artillery fire.
yet during the Battle of Berlin it was blown up by retreating SS-units.
the building used to be 71m high, had 9 levels and 72.000 square meters for shopping.
It also had its own underground station which still exists today.
It was fitted with atleast 2 automatic escalators per floor and many lifts.
and all floors were fitted with water sprinkler systems in case a fire would break out.

It wasnt the biggest pre-war shopping centre in Berlin though.
Ill post some more later.

Karstadt Department Store / South-Berlin 1929

http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/karstadt/pic1x.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/karstadt/pic2x.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/rollkrug/luftbild1935x.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/ak/hermannplatz10.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/ak/hermannplatz52.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/ak/hermannplatz19.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/ak/hermannplatz39.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/ak/hermannplatz07.jpg
http://www.berliner-untergrundbahn.de/kar25.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/karstadt/pic3x.jpg

the Underground station:

http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/u-bahn/skizze.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/u-bahn/treppeu7.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/u-bahn/uhallex.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/u-bahn/gangu8.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/u-bahn/u7_26.jpg
http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/u-bahn/passimeter.jpg

the station survived the war:
http://kochmann.sdf-eu.org/Photos/U-Bahn/Images/Berlin_Hermannplatz.jpg


nowadays it looks like this: :maddown: :maddown:

http://www.berlin-hermannplatz.de/karstadt/pic7x.jpg

[LSyd]

^ wow...thanks for posting that beautiful building. that's sad most of it's gone. they should restore the towers.

-

[R.T.]

Gratte-ciel de villeurbanne
http://wisup.net/File_8/WIS_FR/2006/Images2/061207/be0001IIXHD712200615230547964.jpg
http://wisup.net/File_8/WIS_FR/2006/Images2/061207/be0001IIXHD7122006153227543460.jpg
http://wisup.net/File_8/WIS_FR/2006/Images2/061207/be0001IIXHD7122006153227522917.jpg

Halle Tony Garnier à Lyon (France)
http://wisup.net/File_8/WIS_FR/2006/Images2/061207/be0001IIXHD712200615230588483.jpg

[grollo]

Collins Street, Melbourne 1889:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/2/4/im/mp024859.jpg

Collins Street, Melbourne in 1930:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/pictures/0/0/0/im/pi000617.jpg

Flinders Lane, Melbourne 1930:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/1/2/im/mp012489.jpg

http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/1/2/im/mp012549.jpg

Queen Street, Melbourne 1930:
http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/miscpics/0/1/2/im/mp012490.jpg

[LSyd]

wow, Melbourne looks awesome.

these are awesome, too. :tup:

http://wisup.net/File_8/WIS_FR/2006/Images2/061207/be0001IIXHD712200615230547964.jpg

-

[909]

Some old European skyscrapers:

1955: Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw (Poland)


Height (struct.) 231 m / 757 ft
Floors (OG) 43


On July 22, 1955 the completed Palace of Culture and Science was officially handed over to Polish society at large as a "gift" from Soviet nation in the name of Joseph Stalin.

(...) more information (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=palaceofcultureandscience-warsaw-poland)

http://i.wp.pl/a/f/pjpeg/8613/pkin_arch_1.jpg

http://www.jubileusz.pkin.pl/img/4.gif



1957: Torre de Madrid, Madrid (Spain)


Height (struct.) 142 m / 466 ft
Floors (OG) 37


http://en.structurae.de/files/photos/1927/espagne/200582b.jpg



1953: Edificio España, Madrid (Spain)


Height (struct.) 117 m / 384 ft
Floors (OG) 26


http://static.flickr.com/19/96002160_2f3f2174f6.jpg

http://www.elpais.com/recorte/20060730elpepieco_3/SCO200/Ies/Edificio_Espana.jpg



1958: Pirelli Building, Milan (Italy)


Height (struct.) 127 m / 417 ft
Floors (OG) 32


On April 18th, 2002 a small plane hit the skyscraper, setting the 24th and 25th floors of the 32-story building on fire.

(...) more information (http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=pirellibuilding-milan-italy)

http://www.lmc.ep.usp.br/People/Valdir/imagens/pirelli.jpg

http://www.thymos.com/mon2/easteuro/milano11.jpg



1954: Torre Breda, Milan (Italy)


Height (struct.) 117 m / 384 ft
Floors (OG) 30


http://www.thehighrisepages.de/hhkartei/maibreda.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Italy/Milano11.jpg



1959: Torre Galfa, Milan (Italy)


Height (struct.) 109 m / 358 ft
Floors (OG) 28


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y136/cityw/Italy/GalfaTower1.jpg



1958: Torre Velasca, Milan (Italy)


Height (struct.) 106 m / 348 ft
Floors (OG) 26


http://www.faveromane.org/foto/interviste/torre_velasca.jpg

http://www.gruppoartema.it/torre%20velasca.jpg



1940: Torre Piacentini, Genoa (Italy)


Height (struct.) 108 m / 354 ft
Floors (OG) 31


http://thehighrisepages.de/hhkartei/gencolum.jpg



1933: Torre Littoria, Turin (Italy)


Height (struct.) 109 m / 356 ft
Floors (OG) 21


http://www.torino-viaroma.com/UploadedImage/17620041589_storia06g.jpg

http://www.parallelo45.com/gallery/pics/torino-torre_littoria.jpg



1957: BASF Hochhaus E 100, Ludwigshafen (Germany)


Height (struct.) 102 m / 335 ft
Floors (OG) 22


http://thehighrisepages.de/hhkartei/lud_basf.jpg



1952: Tour Perret, Amiens (France)


Height (struct.) 110 m / 361 ft
Floors (OG) 27


http://archiguide.free.fr/PH/FRA/Ami/AmiensTourPe.jpg

http://perso.orange.fr/jean.levant/album/p00-11.jpg


1932: Boerentoren, Antwerp (Belgium)


Height (struct.) 96 m / 314 ft
Floors (OG) 26


http://www.aviewoncities.com/img/antwerp/kvefl0778s.jpg

http://californication.mtbguru.com/pics/Antwerpen/l5.jpg



1955: Academy of Science, Riga (Latvia)


Height (struct.) 108 m / 353 ft
Floors (OG) 21


http://img78.photobucket.com/albums/v236/lecekte/VisiRigas/ZinAkademija.jpg

http://content.answers.com/main/content/wp/en-commons/thumb/e/e1/399px-Riga_palace_of_culture_and_science.jpg

[LSyd]

^ great post, thanks.

-

[plinko]

Shanghai has a bunch (from the Bund to People's Square). I just don't know their names! (help?)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1026.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1031.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1136.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1238.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1289.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1299.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20I/CHINA1589.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20II/CHINA1183.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20II/CHINA1254.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20II/CHINA1312.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v202/plinko923/Shanghai%20III/CHINA1122.jpg

[cur_sed]

The one in the last pic is the Broadway mansions, the one with the green roof is the Peace Hotel, The dark coloured one in the 2nd last pic is the Park Hotel (Built in 1934, Shanghai's tallest until the 1980s), and the Soviet looking one in the 5th last pic is the Shanghai Exhibition Centre.

[Trantor]

Rio de Janeiro

Império, 1926
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/4-18.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/5-16.jpg

Odeon, 1926
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/DSC00155.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/6-13.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/7-13.jpg

Floriano, 1923
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/10-8.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/9-10.jpg

Fontes, 1925
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/8-12.jpg

Jornal da Noite, 1928
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/1-33.jpg

Regina, 1935
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/2-31.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/3-25.jpg

Francisco Serrador, 1936
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h237/vinicius777/DSC00151.jpg


Central do Brasil Railway Station (30s)
http://banco.agenciaoglobo.com.br/Imagens/Preview/200611/a1011d6c-4e9d-4881-9877-9c0a3be602a4.jpg
http://geocities.yahoo.com.br/primeiracoluna/central_do_brasil_01.jpg
http://www.arfoc.org.br/uploads/exposicaovirtual/central%20do%20brasil.jpg
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/21601/img_3321a_800.jpg

**************************************************************
Belo Horizonte

Mariana (30s)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5148/dsc09433vs5.jpg

Santa Casa (1941)
http://www.santavida.com.br/santacasa/images/scbh_atual.jpg

Acaiaca (1943)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/9480/dsc09463hk8.jpg

Sulacap Sudameris (30s)
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/5029/dsc09497uq1.jpg



*******************************************
Porto Alegre

This one is from the 40s...
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/6600/1555509xz6.jpg
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/6037/1555508co6.jpg
http://img150.imageshack.us/img150/2388/1545494us3.jpg
http://img242.imageshack.us/img242/9766/1545496ed6.jpg

And also this one
http://www.portoimagem.com/predios/novos5/prefnova.jpg

and this one
http://www.portoimagem.com/predios/novos4/predpcalfandega4.jpg

and this
http://www.portoimagem.com/predios/palaciocomercio.jpg


there must be other ones in Porto Alegre, since the city had already quite a few highrises in the 40s /50s

this pic for example, is from the 30s, and there is a highrise in the background
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/novas3/salgfilhodec30.jpg
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/poamercado2.jpg
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/pracaxv1940.jpg
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/novas3/mercadolivre.jpg

from 1940
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/pracaalfandega.jpg

50s
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/novas/avotaviorocha1955.jpg
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/novas5/vistaaerea1950.jpg
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/novas5/vistaaerea1950-4.jpg
http://www.portoimagem.com/fotosantigas/poadecada50.jpg

[Trantor]

São Paulo is also full of these buildings...

the Banespa Tower is from 1947... as far as I know, it was the tallest building outside US when built... 160 meters... but maybe those Toronto towers are higher.
In this pic, you can see some art-deco highrises from the 40s, 50s
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro063.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro093.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro094.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro098.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro105.jpg

Martinelli (1928)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro095.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro097.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro102.jpg


http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro068.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro079.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro081.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro117.jpg

Othon Palace Hotel (in the left of the pic, background)
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro136.jpg
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro146.jpg


City Hall
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro150.jpg


between the leftmost glass highrise and the other glass highrise, you can see a very old building, which is from 1924 and is São Paulo´s oldest highrise, Sampaio Moreira
http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/gutooo/sampa453/centro137.jpg
http://www.piratininga.org/sampaio_moreira/sampaio_moreira_fachada.jpg

[Trantor]

better pic of Palacio Salvo, in Montevideo, from 1926
http://www.raphaelk.co.uk/web%20pics/Uruguay/first/Palacio-Salvo.jpg
http://www.rau.edu.uy/redavanzada/evc/i/08090044.jpg

[Trantor]

other ones in São Paulo

Santa Isabel
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3373/variadas0118no.jpg

Bourbon Hotel
http://www.piratininga.org/neoclassico/neoclassico14.jpg

São Luiz
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/2638/variadas0137px.jpg

Severo e Villas (left) and Altino Arantes (right)
http://img102.imageshack.us/img102/1520/12424339zq.jpg

Henrique Cunha Bueno
http://www.piratininga.org/neoclassico/neoclassico7.jpg

Savoy
http://www.piratininga.org/neoclassico/neoclassico6.jpg

Erasmo de Assunção (now completely graffited!)
http://www.piratininga.org/neoclassico/neoclassico5.jpg

Rolim 1928
http://www.piratininga.org/rolim8.jpg

Banco de São Paulo 1938
http://www.piratininga.org/bsp.jpg

Saldanha Marinho, 1933
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/41/117353199_6543c83728_o.jpg

[insanenuyawka]

I really wish they'd refurbish those Brazilian gems. They have potential.

[DizzyEdge]

its a damn shame we dont have those old buildings anymore! the herald building was an absolute gem, and i dont know what piece of trash is on top of it now

This:

http://www.calgaryheritage.org/images/Gone/IMG_6160.JPG

[Peanuthead]

Here's my favorite in Edinburgh...

St Andrews House in the Art Deco Style, built in 1939
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d9/Calton_Hill_-_St_Andrew%27s_House.JPG

[ontheroad]

Amazing thread!

[Trantor]

^yes, it deserves to be lived up!

[Trantor]

^yes, it deserves to be lived up!

[LeeWilson]

Other than Ryounkaku, these are probably the closest Tokyo or Japan has to a pre 1960s highrise:
Marunouchi Building (1923) eventually demolished in 1999 because of lessened resistance to earthquakes.
http://www.iwanami.co.jp/hensyu/sin/sin_img/img0310/s858p03.jpg

Shin-Marunouchi Building (1952) partner to the Marunouchi Building, demolished in 2005.
http://www.city.okayama.okayama.jp/hishokouhou/tokyo/office/old/IMG_0258.JPG

[LSyd]

^ those really remind me of Washington, D.C.

-

[detroit_alive]

Warsaw's First skyscraper is the Hotel Warszawa, originally built as offices for the Prudential Insurance Company in 1933. It survived the war and was retro-fitted with some more socio-realistic decorations.

Originally:
http://www.warszawa1939.pl//zdjecia/jezewski/110.jpg

During the war:
http://www.pacwashmetrodiv.org/projects/warsaw44/images/prudential.jpg

Now:
http://img374.imageshack.us/img374/2570/img0977ek8.jpg

[Trantor]

the saddest thing of all, is that you can see how well ahead of most countries Brazil was back in the 30s, 40s (when it came to hirises construction)

[flar]

A few in Hamilton, Ontario

Pigott Building 1929:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/oddstuff/00060-1.jpg

Connaught Corporate Centre, 1931:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/100079.jpg

Professional Arts Building (not sure when it was built, but it's visible in old photos of Hamilton):
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/200088.jpg

Royal Connaught Hotel, 1920's:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/bwham/f1020013.jpg

Not skyscrapers but...
Toronto, Hamilton & Buffalo Railway Terminal (1933), art moderne style:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/finale/00104.jpg

Medical Arts Building:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/bwham/f1030022.jpg

Some other building in Hamilton:
http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k28/segaert/bwham/f1030017.jpg

[graupner]

Quebec City ( Canada ):

Price Bros. Building
http://en.structurae.de/files/photos/1/quebec_price02.jpg
http://www.quebecurbain.qc.ca/archives/price3.jpg


Chateau Frontenac (Castle)
http://www.dam.brown.edu/people/glin/Trip_in_Canada/postcards/Quebec-city/Chateau-Frontenac-Hotel.jpg
http://www.parcelledevie.com/archives/images/chateau.JPG



Montreal (Canada)

Windsor Station
http://i1.trekearth.com/photos/4076/night_shots_060-1.jpg

Architects Building
http://www.erudit.org/livre/lachapellej/2001/l1d3_img01n.jpg
http://imtl.org/image/big/architect_building_archive_cn_.jpg


Bell Telephone Building
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/largeimages/01450006.JPG
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/largeimages/89015016.jpg
http://www.mccord-museum.qc.ca/largeimages/01450007.JPG
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN1837.jpg

New Birks Bldg
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN6663.jpg

Montreal`s oldest:
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN0665.jpg

Sovereign bank
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN3722.jpg

Duluth Bldg
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN0666.jpg

Sauvegarde
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN0675.jpg

Unity Bldg
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN1836.jpg

Wilder Building
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN3053.jpg

Royal Bank of Canada
http://imtl.org/image/big/Vue_en_direction_ouest_construction_de_edifice_de_Banque_Royale_Montreal_1927_bertram.jpg
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN4281.jpg
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN1565.jpg

Royal Dutch/Shell Headquarters
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN0335.jpg

Aldred Building
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN0684.jpg

http://imtl.org/image/big/aldred_building.jpg

SunLife Insurance Headquarters
http://imtl.org/image/big/photos_1336.jpg
http://imtl.org/image/big/DSCN6667.jpg

[LSyd]

bump

-

[bnk]

boo hoo

-

;)

[Urban Zombie®]

Shanghai Mansion Hotel, 1934

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1418/1221611218_719b0874cf.jpg?v=0 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/57487762@N00/1221611218/)

[raggedy13]

Vancouver...

Dominion Building (53m/175ft - 1906 - Vancouver's first steel frame high-rise - tallest building in the British Empire upon completion)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f7/Dominion_Building_1915.png

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e1/Vancouver_Dominion_Building.jpg

Sun Tower (82m/270ft - 1912 - tallest building in the British Empire upon completion - overtook the Dominion Building):

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/7f/27181.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3c/Vancouver_Sun_Tower.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/f3/Vancouver_Sun_Tower_Cornice_Detail.jpg/800px-Vancouver_Sun_Tower_Cornice_Detail.jpg

Marine Building (97.8m/321ft - 1930 - tallest building in city until 1939)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Vancouver_Marine_Building.jpg

http://rethinkblog.ca/images/lunchtimewalk/SPinterMarine1.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Misc/29710634.jpg

http://www.architypes.net/files/image/cache/marine-building-entry-detail.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/58/166678549_79bfb61ecd.jpg?v=0

http://static.flickr.com/45/166678636_abbfa8a6f1.jpg?v=0

http://www.architypes.net/files/image/cache/marine-building-main-doors.jpg

http://www.architypes.net/files/image/cache/marine-building-lobby-1.jpg

http://static.flickr.com/52/167384712_00ee289c58.jpg?v=0

http://www.architypes.net/files/image/cache/marine-building-decorative-motif.jpg

http://www.architypes.net/files/image/cache/marine-building-elevator-door.jpg

BC Electric Building (89m/293ft - 1957 - now 'The Electra')

http://cac.mcgill.ca/cac/bland/building/pictures/full/4-72.jpg

http://i59.photobucket.com/albums/g296/raggedy13/Downtown%20Chinatown/100_7360.jpg

[staff]

^ we need to see more of Shanghai's art deco gems...there was a great site i saw a few weeks ago, but couldn't find it today.

-
Shanghai has one of the largest collections of art deco buildings in the world, possibly the largest - most of it is lowrise buildings and private villas though - still a fair share of it is highrises.

A lot of old school pics at this site: http://virtualshanghai.ish-lyon.cnrs.fr/

[LSyd]

^ Shanghai's old school collection is definitely underrated. stupid Depression/WWII putting an end to that boom...

how about the other old Asian colonial cities? African cities? Beirut?

-

[staff]

Early 20th century Shanghai - it looks very similar today (albeit with tall skyscrapers lurking behind);

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/9/13426261_6648f0e286_o.jpg

[Monetto]

^wow, that looks absolutely beautiful

here's one of Bucharest during the 1930s

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y126/mihaitza/27020033pq5.jpg

[CGII]

That photo of Shanghai is phenomenal.

[LSyd]

1. where's that Shanghai painting done? it looks like it's in a subway station. most of those are still standing, right? what's that tall tower in the background?

2. Bucharest looks great...no wonder why it's called Paris of the east.

-

[staff]

^^
Probably some museum in Shanghai. Btw, I think it's a model, and not a paiting. :)
All of the buildings you see in the picture are still standing today. The "tower" in the background is probably a shadow cast by one of the building models.

I think it's Budapest which is called the Paris of the East - not Bucharest. :)

[Monetto]

In 1861, when Wallachia and Moldavia were united to form the Principality of Romania, Bucharest became the new nation's capital; in 1881, it became the political center of the newly-proclaimed Kingdom of Romania. During the second half of the 19th century, due to its new status, the city's population increased dramatically, and a new period of urban development began. The extravagant architecture and cosmopolitan high culture of this period won Bucharest the nickname of "The Paris of the East" (or "Little Paris", Micul Paris), with Calea Victoriei as its Champs-Élysées or Fifth Avenue.

Bucharest was nicknamed little Paris mainly due to the excesses of the nouveau riche. I believe that the term was originally derogatory, to imply a certain degree of un-originality and to criticize the city's neglect of the working-class poor residing in the city's peripheral ghettoes ("mahalale"). It was only subsequently turned into a positive term through reinterpretations of the nickname's meaning.

[LSyd]

^^
Probably some museum in Shanghai. Btw, I think it's a model, and not a paiting. :)
All of the buildings you see in the picture are still standing today. The "tower" in the background is probably a shadow cast by one of the building models.

I think it's Budapest which is called the Paris of the East - not Bucharest. :)

oh, coolass model. i'll have to see that sometime.

and no, Budapest isn't the Paris of the East. Vienna is Budapest of the West. ;)

-

[harryc]

Warsaw - PAST telephone building, 9 floors, 51 meters, 1906-1908, another WWII survivor

http://www.pw44.pl/album/obiekt01pasta.gif

-

Great shot.

[sznter]

Hotel Torni (Torni = Tower in Finnish) in Helsinki, 86 metres and 28 floors. The tallest building in Finland 1931-1976.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e7/Yrjönkatu_28.jpg/300px-Yrjönkatu_28.jpg
Wikipedia, author Mahlum (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Yrjönkatu_28.jpg)

Under construction:
http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/1467/6hotellitornigz3.jpg
Oy Alfred A. Palmberg Ab, website (http://www.palmberg.com/housepage.asp?Section=12108)

Helsinki skyline, Hotel Torni near the centre of the picture:
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/9683/helsingforsskylinelx2.jpg
Flickr, user Phototouring (http://www.flickr.com/photos/phototouring/244591598/)

[urbanactivist]

Poor little US... we always say that we invented the wheel, when all we've done is just added another spoke ;)

Ely Cathedral West Tower... completed circa 1197

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v152/65/95/37515785/n37515785_33546365_9494.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Ely-cathedral-west-tower-2004.jpg
(taken from Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ely-cathedral-west-tower-2004.jpg)

[MolsonExport]

http://intranet.arc.miami.edu/rjohn/images/MedievalSecular/San%20Gimignano%20Overal%20view.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3b/San_Gimignano-Towers.jpg/800px-San_Gimignano-Towers.jpg

San Gimignano is an emblematic Medieval fortified town rising on a hill, at 324 m above sea level, overlooking the Elsa Valley. The town is situated north-west of the Siena’s province at a short distance from the nearest city.

In 1990 San Gimignano was declared by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Town.

The town is also known as “San Gimignano delle belle Torri” because of its sky-scraping 14 quadrangular ancient towers of different diameters and heights which are its well-known worldwide symbol. During the Middle Ages there were erected 71 towers on the town but most of them were destroyed by the struggles and wars undergone in Tuscan’s territories along the centuries.

San Gimignano was already inhabited since pre-historical times. In the 3rd century BC it was founded by the Etruscans. In the AD 60 c. Romans built up in its area two small fortresses, named Mucchio and Silvia giving to the town its former name. In the 10th century it took its name from San Geminianus, Bishop of Modena, who safeguarded it from Huns' attacks.

The town developed during the High Middle Age mostly due to its advantaged geographical position being crossed by the Via Francigena, the trading and pilgrim’s way from Europe to Rome. During the 13th century San Gimignano was the scene of intense fights between the two political territorial fractions: the Guelphs (Pope’s devotees) and the Ghibellines (Emperor’s adherents). On May 8th, 1300 Dante Alighieri was designated Ambassador in Tuscany by the “Guelph League” having his seat in the former Palazzo del Podestà (now Palazzo Comunale).In the second half of the 14th century the town, after upholding its independence at a huge price, consented to enter into Florence’s jurisdiction.

[urbanactivist]

^Amazing!

Some of those are 12 and 14 story towers!!!

[Acco]

Beirut - Lebanon
There was no really specific tall buildings in Beirut since roughly most of the buildings were around 4-8 stories high in the 1930's
Beirut - 1939
http://img213.imageshack.us/img213/8166/mariet1939pc5.jpg

Beirut - 1940's
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/1499/aerial2qb0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Beirut Nejmeh - 1937
http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1071/xccvj7gh3.jpg

Beirut - Phoenicia Intercontinential Hotel - Has been the best hotel in the Middle East for many years
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/Jamie_Y/17.jpg

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g240/Jamie_Y/20-1.jpg

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5672/jpeg0612ja0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

bottom left in the 1960's
http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/7265/1971hv2.jpg[/URL

Gefinor Tower
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8942/jpeg0335ni8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/654/jpeg0196ys9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[LSyd]

^ thanks.

anyone have any info on this building in Cairo? photo by Altarboy2000 on skyscrapercity; his Cairo thread here (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=821646)

http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d130/altarboy2000/P1010655x.jpg

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[staff]

Kungstornen (King's Towers), Stockholm. Finished in 1924 and 1925 respectively.

They are 60 meters tall.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ea/Kungsgatan_2008b.jpg/800px-Kungsgatan_2008b.jpg

[huggkruka]

Hehe, Kungstornen is on the first page I believe. :P Still love them though. The ones that impressed me the most in this thread are all the South American ones, and the Karstadt store.

Here's what my little town can muster:

http://img129.imageshack.us/img129/2097/0409030573.jpg

The old watertower, currently being converted to apartments. Built 1915, 48 meters tall. Tallest building in town. :D Here's a nifty little link about the conversion: http://www.ystadsallehanda.se/apps/pbcs.dll/section?Category=MULTIMEDIA&profile=2112&template=vattentornet

[LSyd]

Johannesburg, South Africa. pics by Jakes1 of skyscrapercity, who said both of these are being restored.

Library Hotel

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC01314.jpg

Avril Malan Building

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/DSC01313.jpg

Mining Chamber

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg%20March/DSC02511.jpg

unknown

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa259/granova/Joburg%20March/DSC02453.jpg

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[LSyd]

more Johannesburn, unknown building that looks like it has Argentinian blood, pic by pule of skyscrapercity

http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/8484/p1130639nd2.jpg

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[Aleks]

http://img167.imageshack.us/img167/1071/xccvj7gh3.jpg

This is probably one of the best looking clock towers I have ever seen.

[ue]

LeMarchand Mansion in Oliver area of Edmonton just west of Downtown.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3410400104_02f8b7582a_b.jpg

[Aleks]

By the way, does the clock tower have an official name? And when was it completed?

[kwoldtimer]

By the way, does the clock tower have an official name? And when was it completed?

Isn't it the Beirut Clocktower in L'etoile or Parliament Square?

[Rico Rommheim]

LeMarchand Mansion in Oliver area of Edmonton just west of Downtown.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3341/3410400104_02f8b7582a_b.jpg

That ain't no skyscraper, that's just an apartment block. :rolleyes:

[Acco]

By the way, does the clock tower have an official name? And when was it completed?

Its called Sehet El Nejmé (Clock of the Star) in Nejmé Square (Star Square) more known as Place de l'Etoile built during the French mandate (1920's).

Here it was in 1930
http://img116.imageshack.us/img116/1061/62011495tu1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

2007
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2321/2519366542_c875a42a68_o.jpg
nadini, www.flickr.som

2009
(courtesy of vovkin)
http://i656.photobucket.com/albums/uu287/Nadini234/vovkin.jpg