Here's the story behind the abandoned skyscraper that dominates the capital city's skyline:
Construction on the Ryugyong Hotel began in Pyongyang in 1987, but halted due to economic troubles in North Korea.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcad4f279d757524324dc23.jpg)
The hotel reached its full height in 1992, but the inside was never completed.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb2c7e79d75703c73d0803%20(1).jpg)
To this day, it has never hosted a single guest.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb1d8779d75700725f574a.jpg)
Its pyramid shape dominates the Pyongyang skyline from miles away.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb12f279d7576aed34f624.jpg)
At the very top of the building, an eight-story cone-shaped section was supposed to feature revolving restaurants.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcc538479d757138862f9cd.jpg)
More external work began on the hotel in 2008 with the installation of glass panels over its entire surface.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb17e979d75722f821ac95.jpg)
It would cost an estimated $2 billion to finally finish the Ryugyong Hotel, according to Reuters.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb237a79d75701800b2627.jpg)
In the meantime, North Korea has found other uses for the building.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb166a79d7576bea67d312.jpg)
It serves as a dramatic backdrop for arts troupes' performances.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb25fb79d757022d4b19d6.jpg)
It also provides a backdrop for propaganda messages made up of over 100,000 LED screens.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb2d1b79d75703f46b8613.jpg)
The building itself still doesn't have electricity, and there's no expected completion date, but there have been new signs of construction progress.
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcb26ea79d75702d85256f5.jpg)
It continues to live up to its nickname, "Hotel of Doom."
![](http://modernarabesque.com/userfiles/images/5dcafad779d75761ad713535.jpg)
Source: Talia Lakritz