Sometimes construction projects can take a while to get done. And hey, that’s understandable—we’re talking about huge, complicated jobs that require a ton of skill and foresight to pull off properly. Starting them up, on the other hand, only takes a bit of money and some workers. What follows are ten famous structures that had the money, but not the skill and foresight—they’re “works in progress,” or, if you’d prefer, “colossal screw‑ups.”
10 Most Famous Unfinished Buildings: An Overview
10 Westminster Cathedral
You’ve probably heard of Westminster Abbey. It’s one of the most famous and beautiful churches in the world—let alone England—and is by all accounts an architectural masterpiece. Surprisingly enough, however, it is not the mother church of Catholicism in the country—that honor belongs to Westminster Cathedral, which sits literally down the street from the Abbey. Another honor belonging to Westminster Cathedral? It’s never actually been completed.
Work is still supposedly ongoing, but almost the entire interior remains undecorated, leaving nothing but raw brickwork where ornate chapels should be. This runs counter to the expectations for Catholic cathedrals, which are typically lavishly appointed. Construction began in 1895, yet the cost of finishing the interior proved prohibitive, leaving England’s and Wales’s principal Catholic church forever in a state of perpetual scaffolding.
9 German Stadium
The so‑called German Stadium broke ground in September 1937 in Nuremberg, Germany. If you’re at all familiar with world history, that should raise a red flag.
Indeed, the stadium was the brainchild of Adolf Hitler, who wanted a gigantic, Roman‑style arena for nefarious purposes—including hosting Nazi rallies and eventually replacing the Olympics with an “Aryan Games.” World War II halted construction before serious work could be done, and fortunately the Nazis didn’t get to finish it. What remains today are crumbling pillars, a few test‑site walls, and a lake that filled the former construction pit.
8 Cathedral of Saint John the Divine
The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine is one of the largest Christian churches in the world, and an iconic feature of Manhattan’s skyline. By all measures it should be a landmark, yet officials waiting for its official completion have been stuck in limbo ever since construction began in 1892.
The project has been a roller‑coaster of financial woes, engineering setbacks, wars, fires, and even a change in architectural style midway through. The nickname “Saint John the Unfinished” has stuck, and the cathedral’s caretakers are still debating how to finally bring the vision to fruition.
7 Super Power Building
This one definitely fits into the realm of colossal screw‑ups. The Super Power Building is to Scientology what the Vatican is to Catholicism, according to church leader David Miscavige. Construction began in 1999 in Clearwater, Florida, with an estimated two‑year timeline and a $40 million budget.
In 2003, work was abandoned for six years while the church re‑planned the interior and solicited followers for donations, despite daily $250 fines for idle construction. Work resumed in 2009, yet the building has never opened. Disillusioned members who donated millions filed a lawsuit in 2013, accusing the church of fraud and deception.
6 International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) isn’t a building in the traditional sense, but a modular structure that remains under perpetual construction. Unlike most items here, the ISS must stay that way, as it’s a collaborative effort among dozens of nations.
The first component, Zarya, launched in 1998, with the most recent addition arriving in 2011. Though originally slated for completion by 2005, evolving technology and scientific priorities pushed that deadline indefinitely. New modules are still scheduled for the coming years, and the ISS is currently considered roughly halfway finished.
5 Ajuda National Palace
Not only is the Ajuda National Palace in Lisbon a famous tourist attraction, it was also the official residence of the Portuguese royal family. You’d think that would make it a top priority for completion, yet construction, which began in 1796, was never fully finished.
Financial woes and a series of wars forced repeated scaling back, but work continued intermittently until the 1910 Portuguese revolution abolished the monarchy. Today the half‑finished palace functions as a museum, showcasing the grandeur that never fully materialized.
4 Woodchester Mansion
If you’ve heard of Woodchester Mansion, it’s probably because it’s been featured on ghost‑hunter TV shows, with rumors of hauntings. In reality, the mansion is famous for being a shell of a house—an impressive exterior with an almost completely unfinished interior.
Commissioned by perfectionist William Leigh, the mansion suffered from constant plan changes and the owner’s hands‑on (and increasingly penny‑pinching) supervision. The result is a beautifully built exterior surrounding a barren interior, now open to visitors who want to see a house that’s essentially just a façade.
3 New Zealand Parliament Buildings
Like the Portuguese royals, New Zealand’s parliamentarians have been working out of an unfinished building for over a century. Plans drawn up in 1911 called for two stages: a primary chamber and a secondary wing for a library and the Crown Law Office.
Construction didn’t start until 1914, and the first stage wasn’t completed until 1922—delayed by World I. The second stage was never built, so the complex wasn’t officially opened until 1995. Today the missing wing’s function is served by the “Beehive,” a separate office building that occupies the extra space.
2 Marble Hill Nuclear Power Plant
Most items on this list, despite being incomplete, still serve a purpose. Marble Hill, however, is a pure example of a colossal screw‑up.
Construction began in 1977 in Indiana, and by 1984 the plant was about halfway to becoming a fully operational nuclear facility. After sinking $2.5 billion into the project, the owners abandoned it, unable to afford further work. Equipment was sold off to recoup a few million dollars, and the half‑finished plant has sat idle ever since, now slated for demolition.
1 Sagrada Família
Unlike Saint John’s Cathedral, the Sagrada Família in Barcelona has earned prestigious recognition despite being a work in progress since 1882. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, visited by the Pope, and proclaimed a basilica, it’s a testament to perseverance.
Visionary architect Antoni Gaudí spent his life shaping the nature‑inspired masterpiece, but tragically died in 1926 after a tram accident, leaving the project less than a quarter complete. Since then, the cathedral has been funded almost entirely by tourist donations and continues to grow. Today it’s more than halfway done, with an optimistic completion date of 2026—the centennial of Gaudí’s death. The current chief architect even suggests it could be finished “perhaps in less than a century.”
If you love unfinished marvels and colossal screw‑ups, follow MJ Alba on Twitter @MattJAlba. Helping him out with followers would be pretty cool.