5. The Abandoned New York State Pavilion Gets Some Love

For decades, the Philip Johnson-designed New York State Pavilion from the 1964 World’s Fair sat degrading from the elements. In recent years, a preservation movement, including the documentary A Modern Ruin and an uber-active community group on Facebook, has finally started to make headway–from a brief reopening of the structure on the 5oth anniversary, rehabilitation of the floor, and a new paint job. Of the controversial historic buildings in the city, the New York Pavilion has perhaps inspired the most passion from New Yorkers and preservationists alike in recent memory. The structure is a national and state landmark, but not a city landmark but with recent support from the borough of Queens and the city, it seems that the New York Pavilion may be saved from the wrecking ball at least.