49 Abandoned Landmarks That Are More Beautiful Than Ever

49. The Michigan Central Station – Detroit, Michigan, USA

Rising like a neoclassical colossus over Detroit’s skyline, the Michigan Central Station was once the crown jewel of American rail travel. Opened in 1913, its 18-story tower and Beaux-Arts waiting room rivaled the grandeur of European palaces. But as rail travel declined, the station was shuttered in 1988. For decades, it stood abandoned—its tiled floors cracked, chandeliers long gone, and pigeons ruling the lofty ceilings. Yet in its decay, it became a powerful emblem of Detroit’s fall and resilience. In recent years, restoration efforts have begun, but its years of haunting silence still echo in its bones. At its peak or in ruin, the station has always been a cathedral of movement, memory, and hope.