The Most Magnificent Hotel Where No One Has Ever Stayed

Ryugyong Hotel, Pyongyang

In 1987, the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) -- North Korea -- began construction of the most grandiose project ever built by a Korean company. The Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang is a 105-story building that rises 1,083 feet, taller than any building outside of Asia or the United States. The building comprises three triangular sections that converge at the summit, creating an overall pyramidal impression of the structure. It covers the equivalent of approximately 67 football fields, and contains 3,000 rooms.

The hotel was supposed to open in 1989, but constant postponements were caused by numerous problems: poor quality materials, electricity shortages, and a widespread famine. The collapse of the Soviet Union, one of the main sources of investment, also had a negative impact. In 1992, construction was halted, even though the DPRK already had sunk about $750 million into the project, roughly 2% of the country's GDP.

The hotel stood unfinished as a towering symbol of incompetence for 16 years. In 2008, work resumed -- an Egyptian company was contracted to add a glass facade -- and a new opening date has been selected for 2012, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the birth of the Great Leader Kim Il Sung. That year will also mark the silver anniversary of the start of construction. It is not yet clear if any of the rooms will have beds.

Unfinished Ryugyong Hotel