The Ryugyong ‘Hotel of doom’ that cost $750 million has never had a guest stay over

The mysterious city of Pyongyang, North Korea, is home to a peculiar and colossal structure that has baffled the world for decades – the Ryugyong Hotel, often referred to as the “Hotel of Doom.” This imposing pyramid-shaped skyscraper is a representation of North Korea’s ambition, and economic challenges. As we delve into the depths of this architectural enigma, we draw from multiple sources to piece together the fascinating story of the Ryugyong Hotel.¹

The Ryugyong Hotel: An Ambitious Vision

In 1987, North Korea embarked on an ambitious project to construct what would become the Ryugyong Hotel, an iconic monument to showcase the nation’s grandeur. This pyramid-shaped skyscraper, reaching over 1,000 feet in height, was designed to house a staggering 3,000 rooms, in addition to boasting five revolving restaurants that offered breathtaking panoramic views of Pyongyang.²

The goal was ambitious: to complete this remarkable structure within just two years. However, as we take a look at the history of the Ryugyong Hotel, we discover that the path to its completion was fraught with challenges and setbacks.

The origins of the Ryugyong Hotel can be traced back to the Cold War rivalry between North and South Korea. In 1986, a South Korean firm had built the Westin Stamford in Singapore, then the world’s tallest hotel. South Korea was also gearing up to host the 1988 Summer Olympics, transitioning toward becoming a capitalist democracy.

In response, North Korea organized the 1989 World Festival of Youth and Students, akin to a socialist version of the Olympics. The grand plan was to construct the Ryugyong Hotel in time for this event, thereby snatching the world record away from South Korea. However, as we’ll see, the road to completion was far from smooth.

The Concrete Monolith

One of the most distinctive features of the Ryugyong Hotel is its pyramid shape, and this isn’t just an architectural whim. Unlike conventional skyscrapers that utilize steel frames, the Ryugyong Hotel was predominantly constructed using reinforced concrete. This choice was not driven by aesthetics but by necessity.

Calvin Chua, a Singapore-based architect, explains that North Korea’s limited access to advanced construction materials meant that concrete was the primary option. The hotel’s unique shape was not only a stylistic choice but a structural necessity for stability. It was an example of the nation’s reliance on concrete as a building material, especially since technology transfer between communist states often revolved around concrete.

The construction of the Ryugyong Hotel was marked by periods of progress and prolonged interruptions. In 1992, the building reached its intended height, but its interior remained incomplete. The economic struggles faced by North Korea, compounded by the collapse of the Soviet Union, posed formidable challenges to the project. Construction came to a halt, leaving an abandoned concrete monolith and a crane atop the building.

Unexpectedly, in 2008, after 16 years of dormancy, construction resumed, thanks to a deal with Orascom, an Egyptian conglomerate contracted to build North Korea’s 3G network. The rusty old crane that had loomed over the hotel for two decades was finally removed. Workers, assisted by Egyptian engineers, meticulously clad the concrete structure with glass panels for $180 million, transforming it into a sleek, modern edifice.

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The Elusive Opening of The Ryugyong Hotel

Despite the revival of construction, questions loomed over whether the Ryugyong Hotel would ever open its doors to guests. In 2012, there was a glimmer of hope when the German luxury hotel group Kempinski announced plans to partially manage the Ryugyong, with an anticipated opening in mid-2013. However, this optimism proved short-lived as Kempinski withdrew from the venture, citing that entering the market was “not currently possible.”

Rumors persist regarding the structural integrity of the building, with some speculating that poor construction techniques and materials have compromised its safety. Photographs from 2012 revealed minimal progress on the hotel’s interior, hinting at significant work yet to be done. The challenge lies in retrofitting the building’s concrete structure with modern amenities, which would be considerably more straightforward with a steel-framed building.

Beyond its sheer size and architectural distinctiveness, the Ryugyong Hotel holds a special place in North Korean symbolism. Some suggest that its design, resembling a mountain rather than a conventional pyramid, is tied to the country’s reverence for mountains. Mount Paektu, the tallest peak in the Korean peninsula, holds great significance in North Korean culture and is depicted in the nation’s emblem. This hints at the hotel’s deeper symbolism within the broader cityscape of Pyongyang.

In recent years, the hotel has come to life differently. In 2018, LED lights were installed on its facade, transforming the building into a captivating nighttime spectacle. A four-minute program featuring North Korea’s history and political slogans plays on the LED screens while the conical top projects a colossal North Korean flag. This new use of the hotel underscores its role as a propaganda tool, captivating the city’s residents during major events.

New signage above the main entrance to the Ryugyong Hotel bearing its name and logo. A sign that it will soon be open for business?

류경호텔 정문에 걸려있는 새 간판. 간판은 류경호텔의 이름과 상표를 표시하고 있다. 개업날이 다가오고 있는가? pic.twitter.com/bwdDot50ya

— Alek Sigley (@AlekSigley) June 24, 2019

The Unanswered Question

As the Ryugyong Hotel stands tall in Pyongyang’s skyline, it continues to defy conventional understanding. Its current status remains a mystery, concealed behind glass and concrete. The question that lingers is whether this colossal structure will ever open to the public.

The Ryugyong Hotel has lost its title as the tallest building in the Korean peninsula to Seoul’s Lotte World Tower, completed in 2017. While North Korea has witnessed the rise of high-rise residential towers, the Ryugyong remains the tallest in the capital city.

For years, North Korea’s government seemingly erased the hotel from official photographs of Pyongyang. Yet, the installation of LED lighting suggests a possible plan for its future.

A Window into North Korea

The Ryugyong Hotel offers a unique window into North Korea’s enigmatic world. While the hotel’s completion remains uncertain, its symbolism and role in Pyongyang’s landscape continue to evolve. Whether it stands as an architectural marvel or a grandiose folly, the Ryugyong Hotel captivates all who gaze upon it, and its story continues to be one of intrigue, ambition, and the enduring mysteries of North Korea’s past and present.

The Ryugyong Hotel, North Korea’s “Hotel of Doom,” stands as an enduring symbol of ambition, challenge, and enigma. Its pyramid shape, crafted from reinforced concrete, reflects a unique blend of necessity and symbolism. While its completion remains uncertain, the hotel’s role as a propaganda canvas and its striking presence in Pyongyang’s skyline cannot be denied. As we ponder the mysteries that shroud this colossal structure, we are reminded of the intrigue that lies at the heart.³

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