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.

Artistic genius can be a fickle companion. One moment a creator is deep in the throes of a masterpiece, the next a fresh spark of inspiration diverts the mind, leaving the original work hanging in limbo. Leonardo da Vinci, celebrated for his inventions, was also notorious for abandoning commissions—his grandest equestrian statue never passed the clay model stage. Yet many sculptors actually began carving stone or bronze only to abandon their projects for a myriad of reasons. Below, we count down ten of the most fascinating unfinished sculptures ever attempted.

10 David

Michelangelo, a younger rival of Leonardo, constantly vied to outdo his contemporary. When Leonardo mocked Michelangelo, the Florentine replied with a barb about Leonardo’s “horse‑modeller” status, accusing him of fleeing a bronze commission in shame. Michelangelo, too, left several works half‑finished, and the Apollo‑David is a prime example of his capricious output.

In fragmented 16th‑century Italy, a volatile political landscape saw a new duke replace a brutal papal governor in Florence. The duke demanded a statue, but when power shifted again the project was abandoned. Michelangelo vanished, leaving a marble block whose subject remains debated.

Is the figure drawing an arrow as Apollo, or reaching for a sling like the youthful David? The ambiguity only adds to its allure, making the piece a tantalizing glimpse into what might have been.

9 Atlas Slave

Michelangelo’s signature “non‑finito” approach earned him praise from Vasari, who noted that the master’s grand visions often outstripped his ability to fully realize them, leading him to abandon or deliberately leave works incomplete. The fear of appearing imperfect may have driven this habit.

Pope Julius II, the so‑called Fearsome Pope, commissioned a monumental tomb for himself, envisioning a series of captive figures—Awakening Slave, Bearded Slave, Young Slave, and the Atlas Slave—to flank his sepulcher. Michelangelo began carving these prisoners but never completed them.

Today, these half‑emerged forms seem to struggle against the marble, offering scholars a rare window into Michelangelo’s technique and the raw energy he infused into stone.

8 Taddei Tondo

The Royal Academy in the United Kingdom houses its sole Michelangelo marble, a prized round composition known as the Taddei Tondo, depicting the Virgin and Child with the infant St John. Though unfinished, the piece radiates the master’s vigorous carving style, evident in the bold hammer marks that scar the surface.

On the reverse side, a thin fissure likely resulted from Michelangelo’s aggressive blows, and a missing fragment further testifies to his rapid, decisive technique. Recent debates have centered on whether the Academy should sell the work to shore up its finances, with estimates valuing it at around £100 million.

Despite its incomplete state, the Taddei Tondo remains a testament to Michelangelo’s ability to convey profound emotion and narrative even when the work is left in a raw, unfinished condition.

7 Rondanini Pietà

Michelangelo’s renowned Vatican Pietà shows the Virgin cradling the dead Christ, yet his final artistic endeavor, the Rondanini Pietà, remained incomplete at his death. This later version presents the figures in an entirely new pose, diverging from the earlier composition.

During its creation, Michelangelo grew dissatisfied, chipping away most of the marble until only Christ’s right arm remained from the original design. The resulting fragment captures a stark, introspective mood, reflecting the master’s evolving vision.

He once declared, “I value highly the work done by a great master even though he may have spent little time over it.” This sentiment underscores his acceptance that artistic worth isn’t measured by labor hours but by the mastery embodied in the work, unfinished or not.

6 Unfinished Obelisk at Aswan

Ancient Egypt’s obsession with towering stone monuments produced massive free‑standing obelisks that pierced the sky long before modern skyscrapers. The largest ever attempted measured roughly 42 m (140 ft), a full third taller than any surviving obelisk.

Commissioned by Pharaoh Hatshepsut around 3,500 years ago, the monolith cracked while artisans were still separating it from the bedrock. The fracture, while disastrous for the ancient builders, has gifted modern scholars a rare glimpse into Egyptian quarrying techniques.

Craftsmen drilled dry wooden wedges into the stone, then soaked them; the swelling wood exerted pressure that split the rock. Some of these intentional cracks proved useful, while the fatal ones that halted the project remain a poignant reminder of ambition meeting limitation.

Top 10 Controversial Statues Around The World

5 Monument to Humanity

The fraught history between Turkey and Armenia, marked by the tragic events of 1914‑1923, continues to stir heated debate. Estimates suggest up to 1.5 million Armenians perished, a figure the Turkish state contests, labeling the episode as the Armenian Genocide.

Against this backdrop, Naif Alibeyoglu, mayor of a Turkish town, envisioned a reconciliatory monument—the Monument to Humanity—featuring two opposing figures and poised to rise 100 ft tall. The concept intended to symbolize healing and dialogue.

However, immediate opposition erupted, with critics arguing that the bowed posture of one figure implied Turkish culpability. Construction stalled, and the massive “Hand of Friendship” intended for the base now lies abandoned, likely never to be installed.

4 El Gigante

Easter Island’s iconic Moai statues have become synonymous with mystery, yet among them, El Gigante dwarfs even the tallest standing figure, Paro, at a staggering 72 ft (22 m). Carved from the same volcanic rock, its sheer size would have made it the island’s most massive monolith.

Weighing roughly 170 tons, the island’s early inhabitants lacked wheels and metal, relying on sledges and massive timber logs to haul and erect statues. The enormity of El Gigante likely exceeded their logistical capabilities, leaving the stone half‑carved in its quarry.

Today the unfinished monolith remains upright in its original quarry, gazing skyward—a dignified end compared to many other Moai that were toppled in the 18th century. Its immobile presence offers a silent testament to the limits of ancient ambition.

3 Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies

Artist David Govedare erected a dramatic group of galloping horses to celebrate Washington’s centennial statehood. Each life‑size equine weighs over 1,000 lb, making the installation one of the most viewed public artworks in the region.

The original vision, however, called for the horses to burst from a massive basket, a symbolic gift from a “Grandfather Spirit” who would proclaim, “Creatures of this planet, behold, a Great Basket! I send this basket, bearing the gift of life, to all corners of the universe. Now, take these ponies; I am cutting them loose.”

Funding ran dry before the elaborate basket could be realized, leaving the horses stranded on the ground. Govedare remains hopeful, recently seeking $1 million to finally complete the grand tableau.

2 Kouros of Apollonas

Ancient Greek art celebrated the idealized male form, producing countless kouroi—nude, youthful statues—across the Hellenic world. While most stand at life‑size, a few ambitious examples push the scale to monumental proportions.

One such colossal figure, the Apollonas Kouros on Naxos, was begun in the 8th century BC and would have towered 10 m (33 ft) high. Uniquely, this statue portrays an older, bearded man rather than the typical youthful ideal, leading scholars to speculate it may represent a deity such as Apollo or Dionysus.

The work was abandoned in situ, possibly because cracks appeared in the marble or because its massive weight made transportation impractical. Today it remains a striking, half‑finished sentinel in its quarry.

1 Crazy Horse

Crazy Horse, a revered Oglala Lakota war leader of the 19th century, inspired a monumental tribute in the 1930s when Henry Standing Bear approached Polish sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski with a bold proposal: a mountain‑carved monument that would rival Mount Rushmore.

Work began in 1948 with a dynamite blast, and over decades millions of tons of rock have been shaved away, gradually revealing the colossal form. Ziolkowski directed the project until his death in 1982, and the carving continues under new stewardship.

When finished, the statue will soar to 172 m (563 ft), making it the world’s second‑tallest statue. Its massive head could easily accommodate all four faces of Mount Rushmore. The endeavor remains ongoing, its completion date still shrouded in mystery.

10 Weird Things We Have Found Inside Statues

It can take years and millions of dollars to finish a building, landmark, or monument. Yet, despite the massive effort, some structures stay forever incomplete. Reasons range from funding shortfalls and labor shortages to the untimely death of key figures. Below you’ll find 10 famous unfinished landmarks that still draw curious travelers.

10 Famous Unfinished Landmarks Overview

10 Crazy Horse Memorial

When most folks picture a colossal mountain carving in South Dakota, Mount Rushmore instantly pops into mind. Yet hidden high in the Black Hills lies another mammoth undertaking that aims to dwarf its famous counterpart – the Crazy Horse Memorial.

The venture was launched in 1948 by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who devoted his life to the project until his passing in 1982. The idea came from Oglala Lakota chief Henry Standing Bear, who invited Ziolkowski to honor Native American heritage by immortalizing the legendary warrior Crazy Horse.

By the early 1990s the massive head began to protrude from the rock, soaring 22 stories tall. So far, crews have blasted and removed millions of tons of stone, carving a visage whose eyes alone span roughly 5 meters (17 feet). When finished, the entire monument will tower over 64 stories, and even the arm still awaits its final touches, funded solely by ticket sales and private donations.

9 Mingun Pahtodawgyi

Nestled in the modest town of Mingun in Myanmar’s Sagaing region, the massive Mingun Pahtodawgyi rises as a testament to royal ambition. King Bodawpaya embarked on the project in 1790 with the goal of constructing the world’s largest pagoda.

To realize his vision, the king conscripted thousands of prisoners and slaves captured during his campaigns, forcing them into relentless labor. As the construction gnawed at the kingdom’s treasury, a popular prophecy emerged, warning that the nation would crumble the instant the pagoda reached completion – and that the king himself would share its doom.

Today the unfinished stupa stands about 50 meters (164 feet) tall, roughly a third of its intended height, with a sprawling base of around 42 square meters (450 sq ft). A severe earthquake in 1839 cracked the structure, yet it remains one of the world’s largest assemblages of stone and brick.

8 Hassan Tower

The Hassan Tower, or Tour Hassan, dominates Rabat’s skyline as a towering minaret that was meant to be the tallest of its era. Commissioned by Sultan Yaqub al‑Mansur in the 12th century, the project envisioned a monumental mosque that would celebrate the Sultan’s victory over the Spanish.

Construction halted only four years after al‑Mansur’s death, leaving the minaret at 44 meters (144 feet)—just over half of its planned stature. The unfinished mosque’s marble floor still bears the ghostly outlines of about 200 columns, hinting at a space that could have seated 20,000 worshippers. In 2012 the tower earned World Heritage status.

7 Cathedral Of St. John The Divine

One of the globe’s largest churches, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, remains an unfinished masterpiece. A 1921 guide once predicted that, given its authentic Gothic methods and limited wealthy patronage, the edifice might require 700 years to reach completion.

The movement began thanks to Right Reverend Horatio Potter, who died in 1887 before any stone was laid. His nephew, Henry Codman Potter, rallied financial support, secured a 13‑acre plot, and saw the cornerstone set in 1892. The first service was held in 1899, and the nave’s groundbreaking occurred in 1916.

Today the cathedral, perched on Amsterdam Avenue in New York City, continues to evolve more than a century after its inception. There is no definitive finish line, as current funding prioritizes community programs over pure construction, ensuring the building will keep growing for generations to come.

6 Ta Keo

Rising amid the ancient city of Angkor, Ta Keo presents a five‑tiered temple‑mountain whose unfinished silhouette still commands attention. Its design features five sanctuary towers arranged in a quincunx, with the central pyramid soaring an extra 14 meters (46 feet) above the second terrace, all surrounded by a protective moat.

Carved from sandstone, the temple never saw completion for reasons that remain murky. Inscriptions suggest a bolt of lightning struck the site, an omen that halted work, while some scholars argue that a youthful King Jayavarman V, struggling to retain power, abandoned the project. Even in its incomplete state, Ta Keo offers a breathtaking glimpse into Khmer architecture.

5 Pyramid Of Neferefre

In Egypt’s Abusir necropolis, the pharaoh Neferefre began a pyramid that would never reach its intended glory. The ruler died young—around 22 or 23 years old—leaving only the initial step of the core completed, which gave the structure a mastaba‑like profile.

Builders laid a broad base comparable in size to the nearby Pyramid of Sahure, then dug a central pit for the burial chamber. An entrance corridor on the north side led to a trench that reached the pit. Though the burial chamber remained unfinished, a three‑phase mortuary temple was erected, comprising an open vestibule and three successive chambers.

4 National Monument Of Scotland

Perched atop Edinburgh’s Calton Hill, the National Monument of Scotland was intended as a grand tribute to the nation’s soldiers and sailors who fell during the Napoleonic Wars. Its design sought to echo the Parthenon’s elegance, but the project earned the nickname “Scotland’s shame” because it never reached completion.

Construction began in 1824, but by 1829 the public‑subscription funds ran dry, forcing work to stop abruptly. Several revival attempts have been made, yet the monument still consists of only twelve standing columns, far short of the envisioned full‑scale replica.

3 La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona’s La Sagrada Familia, inspired by nature and deep religious symbolism, has been under construction since 1882. Currently about 70 percent finished, artisans are busy raising the six central towers that will crown the basilica.

Funding the colossal Roman Catholic church is a complex puzzle; the annual budget hovers around $27 million, sourced primarily from visitor admissions and private donations. When the tallest new tower reaches its full 172 meters (564 feet), the basilica will rank among Europe’s tallest religious edifices. The project aims for a 2026 completion, though decorative details may extend the timeline.

2 Bara Kaman

Bara Kaman, meaning “12 arches,” stands as the unfinished mausoleum of Ali Adil Shah II, the eighth and penultimate ruler of the Adil Shah dynasty in Bijapur, India. Conceived in 1672, the tomb was meant to outshine all others, featuring twelve arches arranged both horizontally and vertically around the ruler’s final resting place.

Construction halted abruptly when Ali Adil Shah was assassinated by his own father, who feared the completed monument’s shadow would eclipse the famed Gol Gumbaz. The tragedy left the arches frozen mid‑construction, never achieving their intended grandeur.

Today, the Archaeological Survey of India preserves the site, maintaining a neat garden in front of the arches. Visitors can still admire the intricate stonework and marvel at the ambitious design that time refused to finish.

1 Ryugyong Hotel

North Korea’s Ryugyong Hotel, a massive pyramid‑shaped skyscraper, was slated to open its doors in 1989, which would have made it the world’s seventh‑largest building and the tallest hotel at the time.

Construction kicked off in 1987, envisioning a 105‑story tower with 3,000 rooms, seven revolving restaurants, casinos, nightclubs, and lounges. An economic downturn, however, forced work to stop, leaving the skeletal structure standing vacant.

Recent photographs reveal cranes and construction vehicles gathered around the edifice, hinting at a possible revival. Should the project finally reach completion, the Ryugyong Hotel would become a striking destination for daring travelers.