‘World’s worst building’ set to open in spring

by Robert Koehler on February 13, 2012

Pyongyang’s iconic Ryugyong Hotel—once called the “Worst Building in the History of Mankind“—is set to open sometime in spring, the WaPo reports.

Now, I’ll repeat what I said earlier about the Ryugyong. I’d found it sort-of-cool actually when it was all exposed concrete. Admitedly, I have something of a hard-on for brutalist architecture, and the Ryugyong had that sinsiter, brutalist/Stalinist vibe in spades. Covered in glass, however, it loses all that vibe.

Tagged as: architecture, Pyongyang, Ryugyong Hotel

{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Brendon Carr February 13, 2012 at 1:21 pm: I’d like to recommend the Tongyeong Building near Kangnam Station for first runner-up in the Worst Building in the World sweeps.
2 CactusMcHarris February 13, 2012 at 1:46 pm: #1,

What are its attributes? No rats at the urinals?
3 Arghaeri February 13, 2012 at 5:35 pm: I don’t know, I think its got a really good Thunderbirds – International Rescue thing going on.
4 Granfalloon February 13, 2012 at 5:41 pm: I didn’t know that a team of South Koreans flew up in 2005 looking to finish the building. The fact that they didn’t want to touch the damn thing does not inspire confidence.
5 Ryan Russell February 14, 2012 at 5:49 am: When can I book a reservation?
6 setnaffa February 14, 2012 at 9:12 am: I’m not certain there is much to like about it… Isn’t this the place with the hidden floor full of security folks?

Nope, sorry, that’s this one: http://www.businessinsider.com/north-korea-kim-jong-unkim-jong-il-hidden-fifth-floor-yanggakdo-hotel-pyongyang2011-12

And it’s no longer the tallest hotel… http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rose_Tower
7 redwhitedude February 15, 2012 at 5:07 am: If there was such a thing as the architecture equivalent of the Razzie or Ig award this building would get it. North Korean height envy falling short.