Is North Korea finally serious about completing construction of Ryu-Gyong Hotel—once called the world’s worst building—after years of neglect and secrecy?
Since 1992, the 1,100 foot-tall structure has stood in downtown Pyongyang without windows or any interior. If completed, the 3.9 million-sf building would have 105 stories and 3,000 guest rooms.
Some architects say the building should be demolished, and others wonder if it’s even structurally sound after years of neglect. North Korea could spend up to $2 billion to finish the hotel and make it safe.
Related Stories
Giants 400 | Dec 3, 2020
2020 Hotel Sector Giants: Top architecture, engineering, and construction firms in the U.S. hospitality sector
Gensler, Jacobs, and Suffolk Construction top BD+C's rankings of the nation's largest hotel sector architecture, engineering, and construction firms, as reported in the 2020 Giants 400 Report.
AEC Tech | Nov 12, 2020
The Weekly show: Nvidia's Omniverse, AI for construction scheduling, COVID-19 signage
BD+C editors speak with experts from ALICE Technologies, Build Group, Hastings Architecture, Nvidia, and Woods Bagot on the November 12 episode of "The Weekly." The episode is available for viewing on demand.
Hotel Facilities | Nov 3, 2020
Hotel made from CLT opens at Fort Jackson, S.C.
This project used over 4,100 pieces of cross-laminated timber. It's the fourth CLT hotel in the Army's housing portfolio.
Hotel Facilities | Oct 27, 2020
Hotel construction pipeline dips 7% in Q3 2020
Hospitality developers continue to closely monitor the impact the coronavirus will have on travel demand, according to Lodging Econometrics.
Smart Buildings | Oct 26, 2020
World’s first smart building assessment and rating program released
The SPIRE Smart Building Program will help building owners and operators make better investment decisions, improve tenant satisfaction, and increase asset value.
Hotel Facilities | Sep 22, 2020
‘Lifestyle’ is adding new color to the select-service hotel sector
A new WATG Strategy white paper examines the design characteristics of the blending.
Giants 400 | Aug 28, 2020
2020 Giants 400 Report: Ranking the nation's largest architecture, engineering, and construction firms
The 2020 Giants 400 Report features more than 130 rankings across 25 building sectors and specialty categories.
Coronavirus | Aug 25, 2020
Video: 5 building sectors to watch amid COVID-19
RCLCO's Brad Hunter reveals the winners and non-winners of the U.S. real estate market during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hotel Facilities | Aug 14, 2020
5 strategies for creating safer, healthier hotel experiences
As hotels begin to reopen, the focus on health and safety takes priority while working to preserve the guest experience.
Hotel Facilities | Aug 5, 2020
Renovations could be hospitality’s stopgap for next few years
Modular and prefab construction are already more prominent.
