If you could save 5 cancelled projects from your city...

[Mr Saturn64]

Title says it all. Sometimes, projects are proposed and we love them, and they get cancelled. This was especially prominent with the financial crisis in 2008. I was a around 10 years old back then, and was seriously disappointed when all the skyscrapers that were going to come up didn't. Anyway, find the best cancelled projects from your cities' history.

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For Philadelphia:

1. This 1913 subway plan, designed by A. Merritt Taylor. We have two of the lines that were built, but it would be so much better if the subway extended that much throughout the city.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/npFD...t-system.0.jpg
Image source: https://philly.curbed.com/2015/4/2/9...13-subway-plan
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2. This proposed Phillies stadium. While it is great that the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, and Flyers are neighbors, this rendering for a Center City stadium gives a much more classic feel, which is what recent stadiums have been going for. Plus, it has great views of Center City and the Inquirer Building.

http://media.philly.com/images/314.jpg
Image source: http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/...nter-City.html
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3. St. Mary's Cathedral in Chestnut Hill. I love Gothic Architecture, and Philly doesn't have enough of it. And nothing's quite as good in Gothic as Cathedrals, right? Plus, if Chestnut Hill were better connected, this would bring much more draw to the area. For tourists, having the Cathedral and Morris Arboretum together would be great.

https://hiddencityphila.org/wp-conte..._rendering.jpg
https://hiddencityphila.org/2014/06/...athedral-road/
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4. Mandeville Place. This was a victim of the 08 financial crisis, if I recall correctly. It's a beautiful skyscraper, it would have fit in perfectly with its surroundings, and it would be taller than any building for a good 6 blocks or so. Truly, a missed opportunity.

http://www.richardmeier.com/wp-conte...E-791x1024.jpg
http://www.richardmeier.com/?project...eville-place-2
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5. As controversial as it may be... American Commerce Center. I was really bummed when I was 10 or so and this got cancelled. I know it's not the best design in the world, and it's still something people argue over, but you can't argue with that height. 1,510 feet. If this has gotten built, it would've been the tallest building in America for a year. That would've been awesome. It would still be the second-tallest building in the country.

https://www.e-architect.co.uk/images...051208_vh4.jpg
Image source: https://www.e-architect.co.uk/americ...r-philadelphia

[Centropolis]

these are civic projects:

*early twentieth century subway proposal

*city/county consolidated borough plan

...i mean those two right there

the other three would be projects that i wish didnt happen:

mill creek valley clearance
riverfront clearance (or at least not as extensive)
one of the expressways...probably I-70/mark twain

[UPChicago]

Northerly Island - not canceled but doesn't seem to be happening anytime soon
Central Area Transit Plan - Even with BRT there is always a caravan of people navigating east and west during rush hour.
Waldorf Astoria
Mandarin Oriental
X/O Towers

[skyscraperpage17]

For Atlanta:

1. Multi-Modal Passenger Terminal.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlant...enger_Terminal

2. The Outer Perimeter.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Perimeter

3. The Original MARTA plan

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&sour...42898335929863

4. Eviva Peachtree

https://atlanta.curbed.com/2018/5/18...integral-group

5. 50 Allen Plaza

https://www.google.com/amp/s/atlanta...own-skyscraper

[Steely Dan]

M-B Skyneedle - 1,999'


source: http://www.mrakodrapy.com/2012/07/nebeska-jehla.html





7 South Dearborn - 1,550'


source: https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/bui...h-dearborn/139





Waldorf-Astoria - 1,265'


source: http://www.citytowers.ru/viewtopic.php?id=1747





Dearborn Tower - 1,135'


source: http://jeffherzer.com/stories/skyscr...-dreams-begin/




Apparel Mart - 845'


source: http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=151366

[skyscraperpage17]

For Detroit:

1. 1915 and 1929 Subway proposal or the 1976 Transit proposal (only The People Mover came of the latter).

https://m.metrotimes.com/detroit/how...nt?oid=2143889

http://www.dailydetroit.com/2016/05/...bway-proposal/

https://m.metrotimes.com/detroit/det...wFullText=true

2. 81-story Book Tower

https://m.imgur.com/r/Detroit/3bivO

3. Fox Creek Detroit

http://www.detroiturbex.com/content/...eek/index.html

4. Coleman Young Airport (DET) Expansion

http://www.detroiturbex.com/content/...man/index.html

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.det...m/amp/70523064

5. Quicken Loans' plans for the Statler site.

https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-...81938833915199

Instead, there's this crap:

https://www.crainsdetroit.com/articl...mplete-in-2019

[JManc]

1. Monorail (it was built but only lasted a few months)
2. Bank of the Southwest Tower 1,407'
3. Block 265 Tower 1,230'
4. Campeau Tower 1,082'
5. Four Houston Center 859'

[HomeInMyShoes]

There's only one project here that would make me smile. In the 1970s they talked about and apparently had funds for relocating the main line of the railway outside of the city. Given that there is no passenger rail service here now, not having those rail lines would allow downtown to connect with the warehouse area. You can see the barrier the raillines create on google maps.

[mhays]

For Seattle it would start with the 1968 rail plan...we voted no twice, and our federal money went to Atlanta.

Second: The Seattle Commons, a 70 (or 50) acre park in the South Lake Union district. Two versions failed with the voters in 1995 and 1996. I was on the staff of the nonprofit and campaigns behind this.

Otherwise I'm mainly waiting for projects that started entitlements but haven't pushed forward for a while...the 100-story 701 4th mixed-use tower chief among them.

[Cirrus]

For DC:
With DC's height limit, there isn't much of a history here of notable canceled skyscrapers, except one which I wouldn't put on my "to save" list. The most popular answer for DC would probably be the proposed eastern extension of the National Mall, but I'm honestly happy that was never built (the Mall is already too big). So here's my actual list of things I wish had been built:

1. The streetcar/light rail network. As of 2014 there was 60 miles of surface rail transit planned in the DC area. As of 2018 there's been some progress but much of it has been effectively canceled. The 16-mile Purple Line is under construction and DC opened 2 miles of streetcar, with a further 5 or 6 still on the books (much in dedicated lanes), but 2/3 of this system has either been canceled outright or indefinitely postponed.



2. The more monumental Memorial Bridge. Memorial Bridge is generally considered DC's most beautiful large bridge, but even it is pretty understated. Original designs were more grand, and would've been more of a landmark.


public domain image

3. National Mall university. In 1816 Congress proposed putting a university on the National Mall, at the location where the Lincoln Memorial is today. The memorial is nice, but a university here would make the Mall so much more of a living space. I think it would have been cool.

public domain image

4. The Pennsylvania Avenue triumphant arch. Various temporary arches have been built on Pennsylvania Avenue near the White House for presidential inaugurations. It would've been cool if we had a real one.

public domain image

5. The grand Silver Spring station. Silver Spring, MD is DC's most prominent uptown. One thing it lacks is a prominent civic landmark. It has large commercial and residential buildings, but its civic buildings are those of a small 19th century suburb. It doesn't have public buildings appropriate to such a large place. Meanwhile, Silver Spring is also the most important transit hub on the north side of the metro area, with Metro, MARC, light rail, and Maryland's biggest bus terminal all coming together at one spot. Ever since the 1970s planners have been hoping to knock out two birds with one stone by building a grand civic transit station. There were several proposals over the years, ranging from ugly to pretty nice. I've pictured the 1990s version, my favorite of the lot. Unfortunately, what was ultimately built just a few years ago was, um, not grand.

public domain image

[Lakelander]

Hmmm Jacksonville has a ton. Here's five worth mentioning:



1. Florida Interurban Railway & Tunnel Co.

An 45-mile electric interurban rail system between Jacksonville and St. Augustine with a tunnel under the St. Johns River. Could have radically altered the development pattern between these two cities in the 20th century.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/ar...lway-tunnel-co



2. University of North Florida

UNF's main campus was originally supposed to be built just northwest of downtown. Instead local politics got involved and land ended up being donated in a middle of a politically connected family's massive landholdings south of town. The campus developed, publicly financed highways were provided to connect it and the land surrounding has provided decades of wealth building for the landowner at the expense of the urban core.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/ar...-brief-history



3. First Baptist Church Tower (see image above)

Proposed two months before the 1929 stock market crash. Would have been the tallest building in the city at the time. Just a beautify signature historic tower that the skyline lacks.



4. 3,500-acre WPA funded Metropolitan Park System

The WPA offered to build a 14-mile, 3,500 urban metropolitan park system surrounding the urban core in 1934. City leaders didn't see the value of having parkland when residents could go in the woods anytime on their own. The entire urban core being surrounded by water and an urban park system would have generated a level of economic development this city will never see. Would have also been beneficial to the environment.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/ar...-that-got-away



5. Original Plan for JTA Skyway Peoplemover System

The original 1970s Skyway plan called for a 4.6-mile peoplemover connected to a 42-mile rapid transit system. We built 2.5-miles over the next 20 years, subsidized companies to leave downtown for the suburbs, called it a failure and quit.

https://www.metrojacksonville.com/ar...f-mass-transit

[The North One]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

Waldorf-Astoria - 1,265'


source: http://www.citytowers.ru/viewtopic.php?id=1747

The one that got away.

Another view of Apparel Mart.



Also bonus Crane tower 1,022 feet



http://www.connectingthewindycity.co...have-been.html

The great depression really killed so many amazing projects.

[McBane]

Originally Posted by Mr Saturn64

Title says it all. Sometimes, projects are proposed and we love them, and they get cancelled. This was especially prominent with the financial crisis in 2008. I was a around 10 years old back then, and was seriously disappointed when all the skyscrapers that were going to come up didn't. Anyway, find the best cancelled projects from your cities' history.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
For Philadelphia:

1. This 1913 subway plan, designed by A. Merritt Taylor. We have two of the lines that were built, but it would be so much better if the subway extended that much throughout the city.

https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/npFD...t-system.0.jpg
Image source: https://philly.curbed.com/2015/4/2/9...13-subway-plan
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2. This proposed Phillies stadium. While it is great that the Phillies, Eagles, 76ers, and Flyers are neighbors, this rendering for a Center City stadium gives a much more classic feel, which is what recent stadiums have been going for. Plus, it has great views of Center City and the Inquirer Building.

http://media.philly.com/images/314.jpg
Image source: http://www2.philly.com/philly/blogs/...nter-City.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3. St. Mary's Cathedral in Chestnut Hill. I love Gothic Architecture, and Philly doesn't have enough of it. And nothing's quite as good in Gothic as Cathedrals, right? Plus, if Chestnut Hill were better connected, this would bring much more draw to the area. For tourists, having the Cathedral and Morris Arboretum together would be great.

https://hiddencityphila.org/wp-conte..._rendering.jpg
https://hiddencityphila.org/2014/06/...athedral-road/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
4. Mandeville Place. This was a victim of the 08 financial crisis, if I recall correctly. It's a beautiful skyscraper, it would have fit in perfectly with its surroundings, and it would be taller than any building for a good 6 blocks or so. Truly, a missed opportunity.

http://www.richardmeier.com/wp-conte...E-791x1024.jpg
http://www.richardmeier.com/?project...eville-place-2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
5. As controversial as it may be... American Commerce Center. I was really bummed when I was 10 or so and this got cancelled. I know it's not the best design in the world, and it's still something people argue over, but you can't argue with that height. 1,510 feet. If this has gotten built, it would've been the tallest building in America for a year. That would've been awesome. It would still be the second-tallest building in the country.

https://www.e-architect.co.uk/images...051208_vh4.jpg
Image source: https://www.e-architect.co.uk/americ...r-philadelphia

I agree with you on the 1913 subway plan and Mandeville Place for Philadelphia. I'd also have to include Bridgeman's View - what was it, 900+ feet? And I can't forget that beautiful 900 foot office building proposed for 17th and Vine.

But my top pick would HAVE to be the twin towers planned for 8th and Market for CoreStates. It my fantasy world, the bank would not have sold itself to an outside entity, Philly would have retained their corporate presence and all those jobs, East Market would be a viable business district, and we wouldn't have to a giant, ugly surface lot at this intersection for the last few decades. Any architectural/skyline improvements are second to all of this (I'm not even a fan of twin towers).

Honorable mention goes to the generically named Center City Tower, proposed by Kling. It was supposed to be 75 stories and over 1,000 feet and was to house Comcast where the Residences at the Ritz Carlton stands alongside the still under construction W/Element Hotel. I'd rather have two buildings than one, but damn, I always loved that design (and yes, I like it even better than Comcast's new buildings).

[MayDay]

I've been on the SSP forum for over 20 years and for the longest time, it was nothing BUT cancelled projects in Cleveland. Now it seems like it's hard to keep up with everything that's actually happening That said...

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The most glaring unbuilt project is the Ameritrust Center, which was cancelled when Society Bank (now KeyBank) bought out Ameritrust. Two 12-story buildings were demolished to make way for Ameritrust, but it's been a parking lot every since. I don't know that I'd want an 1198' tower at this spot, but it's been an eyesore on Public Square for too long.



The site is just north of the Terminal Tower:
https://www.google.com/maps/@41.4971.../data=!3m1!1e3
................................................................

Another cancelled skyscraper proposal that I wish had been built is the headquarters for Progressive Insurance Corporation. Granted it would have stuck out like a sore thumb but it would have been Frank Gehry's first realized skyscraper design but most importantly would have retained over 2,000 (at the time) good paying corporate jobs in the city. Instead, Progressive now occupies space in unremarkable office campuses in the eastern suburbs



..........................................................
Transit related - the "Dual Hub" subway line that would have connected downtown (at Public Square) to the second largest employment center at University Circle underneath Euclid Avenue. Plans were floated around but never materialized, and the route is now served by the Healthline (BRT), which is a huge improvement on the previous bus route but it's not the same as a subway line.

https://clevelandhistorical.org/items/show/361

..................................................................

Although it wasn't cancelled, the site for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame was originally slated to be the area of Tower City Center between the Terminal Tower and the Cuyahoga River. Although the lakefront site that was eventually selected has helped spur some development, it's still rather piecemeal.

..........................................................................

[Centropolis]

we should do a thread of THANKFULLY canceled projects in your city:

here goes, TRUMP PRINCESS, st. louis riverfront:


urbanstl.com

buckminster fullers OLD MAN RIVER:

solutions.synearth.net


The mid-century St. Louis Disney theme park (Riverfront Square) that Auggie Busch torpedoed because he couldn't sell beer there:



ktvi.com



ZEPPELIN TOWER:


flickr.com


concluding with a few entries from the jefferson memorial national expansion project (which is gateway arch national park today)...some clearly went off into the modern weeds...

publicbroadcasting.net

publicbroadcasting.net

publicbroadcasting.net

publicbroadcasting.net

[Centropolis]

the ENDURING PROPHECY entry tho...

THIS WAS THE (what would become) HOK ENTRY.

[mousquet]

I think Cirrus's post makes the better sense.
I like skyscrapers and related density and all, but that's the dick in me. NYC is a dick, isn't it? lol
I for one have respect for the current French prez, cause he's no hypocrite at all.
Sometimes he's super awkward and offensive in his communication, precisely because he's not hypocritical.
He's not so good at communication... I can easily recognize myself in him here.

So, he says mobility is the most important thing in this world. You have to be adaptable, flexible, not scared of or worried about things or people that don't look like yourself, confident in stuff around and future in general...
This is everything that makes up genuine faith. I like it.
In an urban setting, mass transit is the obvious means of mobility. When you're used to ride a RER commuter train by midnight, you're no longer scared of anything.
That's priceless.

Originally Posted by Centropolis

ZEPPELIN TOWER:


flickr.com

That would've been cool for king St Louis, though.

[Centropolis]

a smart man once asked “what would jack sparrow do?”

agree mousquie...the reference seems dumb on the surface but i truly believe ya got to stay limber and know when to jump.

[Hudson11]

Trump TV City tower



Trump NYSE Tower



Metlife North Tower



Foster 2 WTC (pending)



Calatrava 80 South Street

[The North One]

How likely is Foster's 2WTC to come back? That was such an incredible building.

I hate how the designs of all the WTC towers ended up looking nothing like proposed, a real shame.