1. Carnegie Hall Was Almost Demolished and Replaced with a Red Skyscraper

Yet another example of The New York City that Never Was, Carnegie Hall was slotted for demolition in 1959 (delayed to 1960) after it lost its primary tenant, the New York Philharmonic to Lincoln Center. A 44-story tower was planned, rising on piloti from a sunken plaza. The skyscraper would have been reached by a footbridge.

Fortunately, there were various campaigns to save Carnegie Hall, the strongest and most notable being musician Isaac Stern who rallied philanthropist Jacob M. Kaplan and State Senator MacNeil Mitchell to the cause. The City of New York purchased Carnegie Hall, which would be run by a new nonprofit organization called The Carnegie Hall Corporation. This setup continues today.

Next, read about the Top 10 Secrets of Grand Central Terminal, another building almost lost to the wrecking ball. Get in touch with the author @untappedmich, who in a previous life performed in Carnegie hall thrice.