Most skylines are famous for one or two iconic buildings, and it’s nearly impossible to imagine these cities without their standout structures. But, believe it or not, Paris existed before the Eiffel Tower and the tallest building in New York prior to the completion of the Chrysler Building (which preceded the Empire State Building by 11 months) was the Trump Building. So let’s celebrate some of the world’s greatest architectural marvels with photos from their infancy.
Space Needle, Seattle (completed 1961)
Today
Photo: Seattle Municipal Archives/Flickr
Eiffel Tower, Paris (completed 1889)
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CN Tower, Toronto (completed 1976)
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Empire State Building, New York City (completed 1931)
Photo: Design You Trust
Photo: Wikimedia
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Sydney Opera House, Sydney (completed 1973)
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Chateau Frontenac, Quebec City (completed 1893)
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Transamerica Pyramid, San Francisco (completed 1972)
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Hotel Vancouver, Vancouver (the third and final incarnation of the Hotel Vancouver was completed in 1939)
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Chrysler Building, New York City (completed 1930)
Photo: WiredNewYork
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Willis Tower, Chicago (completed 1973)
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Capitol Building, Washington (new dome construction completed in 1863)
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Calgary Tower, Calgary (completed 1968)
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Theme Building, Los Angeles (completed 1961)
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Bank of America Plaza, Dallas (completed 1985)
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Olympic Stadium, Montreal (completed 1976)
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Burj Khalifa, Dubai (completed 2010)
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