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San Francisco’s Stunningly Overgrown Palace of Fine Arts

November 30th, 2009, Architecture, Travel, by Tom

After a week in the California desert with almost zero internet connection, and a brief trip to San Francisco, I’m relieved to finally be back at the computer! It was a longer haitus than expected and I don’t plan on allowing a similar amount of time to elapse between articles in future, but I did manage to get a few cool pics of one of San Fran’s most impressive landmarks. Check it out…

5 Bizarre Buildings From Europe to North America

November 23rd, 2009, Architecture, by Tom

Weird architecture extends far beyond Brutalism and the scary Cold War edificies of the Eastern Bloc. Across the world, people have made their home and work spaces out of trains, planes, automobiles and the even more bizarre. Read on for a selection of wierd and wonderful buildings in Europe and North America…

Gary, Indiana: 8 Amazing Abandonment Images

November 20th, 2009, Travel, Urban Exploration, by Tom

Gary, Indiana was built in 1906 around the new United States Steel Corporation plant, and named after chairman Elbert H. Gary. The elegance of early 20th century architecture is reflected in many of the city’s buildings. But this only serves to make Gary mysterious and somewhat bizarre – because many of these grand structures are rotting away in dereliction. Read more…

Bars, Restaurants and Avante Garde: 5 Fashionable Former Public Toilets

November 17th, 2009, Architecture, Art, by Tom

It’s safe to assume that most people don’t visit public toilets for recreational purposes. But you may be surprised to hear that dozens of old lavatories are reused today for purposes other than answering a call of nature. Who would have thought that, thanks to a little imagination, you might even end up fine dining in a dank Victorian loo!

5 of the World’s Most Imposing Statues

November 16th, 2009, Architecture, Travel, by Tom

It’s not every day you come across sculptures that make the Statue of Liberty look small. But in more recent years dozens of immense statues have shot up all over the world demonstrating that – whatever their inherent symbolism – size does matter. Here is a selection of the most gigantic and awe inspiring effigies on the planet.

Deception Island: Abandoned Outposts and Spooky Settlements

November 13th, 2009, Travel, Urban Exploration, by Tom

What do you get when volcanic eruptions almost completely decimate one of the most exposed outposts on the planet? The answer can be found on Deception Island, which brings a whole new meaning to the term “winter wonderland”.

New York Subway’s Beautiful Abandoned City Hall Station

November 10th, 2009, Architecture, Urban Exploration, by Tom

With a recent post delving into the murky underground tunnels of London, it seems only right to mention a true gem from another great city’s subterranea – New York City’s long closed City Hall subway station. From the very beginning, this station was envisioned to be the grand centrepiece of a new transport network, yet it has been largely deserted since 1945. Come in and see…

The Midget Submarines of Aberlady

November 9th, 2009, Military, Urban Exploration, by Tom

Aberlady Bay is an area of outstanding natural beauty skirting the windswept Scottish coast, near the town of North Berwick. A walkers’ paradise and wildlife haven, few people know the history behind the only man-made objects to punctuate the sand at low tide, or their crucial role in sinking one of World War Two’s most formidable battleships.

10 Amazing “Above-Water” Shipwrecks

November 6th, 2009, Travel, Urban Exploration, by Tom

The world’s oceans abound with shipwrecks and a multitude of other nautical artifacts. But here are 10 corroding vessels that can be seen clearly from the relative safety of dry land.

Lost in Time: The Disused Kingsway Tram Subway

November 4th, 2009, Urban Exploration, by Tom

Lurking deep beneath London is a labyrinth of tunnels incorporating underground railways, secret passages, drainage systems and subterranean chambers. The long-abandoned Kingsway Tram Subway is an elusive place that offers a unique glimpse into the past…

13 Abandoned Theatres and Cinemas

November 2nd, 2009, Urban Exploration, by Tom

Of all the abandoned buildings popular with urban explorers, theatres and cinemas are among the most coveted. As we’ve discussed previously, seeing a derelict cinema from the inside is like travelling back through time. Historically infused with generations of pleasure and enjoyment, it’s strange to consider how these old playhouses and picture palaces today linger on behind locked doors. Here are 13 great images to peak your curiosity and spur your imagination.