It takes 24 years to open what may be world’s ugliest hotel
It took a while for the reviled Ryu-Gyong Hotel in Pyongyang to open — 24 years, in fact.
The massive concrete structure – once called one of the world's worst buildings- was designed in the shape of a three-sided pyramid. It spans 105 stories and nearly 1,100 feet.
Back in 1987, North Korea had hoped to make it the world's tallest hotel, despite the fact that the country has few visitors, reported the Telegraph.
But by 1992, North Korea had to stop construction when it ran out of money after the fall of the Soviet Union, the newspaper said.
Esquire magazine once hailed the massive tower as "the worst building in the history of mankind."
Some architects have even called for it to be demolished.
Bruno Giberti, a professor at California Polytechnic State University's department of architecture, called it "the worst building in the world," a Reuters story said earlier this year.
In the spring, however, theTelegraph says that North Korea plans to open it to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of the nation's founder Kim Il-sung.
By David Wilkening
David
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Global tourism exceeds 1.5 billion travelers announces UN-Tourism
Qatar Airways offers reduced timetable to over 60 destinations
Hands In, UATP join forces for airline multi-card payments
AirlineRatings reveals world's safest airline rankings for 2026
Suspension of all regional trains in Catalonia following two new rail accidents in Spain