15 photos that show what New York, London, and other major cities almost looked like, based on old city designs

Frank OlitoJun 25, 2020, 20:10 IST

The Golden Gate Bridge isn't the only site architects had other plans for.Shutterstock &

Companies like Barratt London and NetCredit found old city plans and reimagined what major cities could have looked like, had those plans been realized.
One architect, for example, wanted to turn the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco into a desalination station that would have made water from the Pacific Ocean potable.
Another architect imagined Times Square Tower in New York City as a Gothic, almost dystopian structure.

Cities all over the world feature breathtaking architecture and innovative designs, but skylines and city streets could have looked very different than they do today.

Throughout history, architects have submitted alternative designs for some of the world's biggest attractions, from the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco to London's Houses of Parliament. However, since cities often went with other proposals, these designs often don't see the light of day.

But companies like Barratt London and NetCredit have unearthed a few of these alternative designs, and created renderings to reimagine what cities could have looked like, had they gone with those other plans.

Keep reading to find out what some of the world's greatest cities could have looked like.

In 1858, New York City held a competition to find the best design for Central Park.

Today's Central Park. Buyenlarge/ Getty

A design by John J. Rink is the only surviving entry from the Central Park competition, and it includes circular paths.

What Central Park could have looked like. Courtesy of Budget Direct

In 1946, real-estate mogul William Zeckendorf proposed a massive airport that would sit on top of Midtown Manhattan.

Midtown Manhattan today. Barratt London

This is what the Midtown airport would have looked like today, had it been built.

What Midtown Manhattan could have looked like. Barratt London

The narrow island between Manhattan and Queens is known as Roosevelt Island, and features a quiet neighborhood and park. But in the early 1900s, architects wanted to turn the island into a civic center.

Roosevelt Island today. Courtesy of Barratt London

The narrow island between Manhattan and Queens is known as Roosevelt Island, and features a quiet neighborhood and park. But in the early 1900s, architects wanted to turn the island into a civic center.

The Roosevelt Island Civic Center would have been super ornate, and would have included an elaborate municipal building.

What Roosevelt Island could have looked like. Courtesy of Barratt London

Times Square is one of the world's top tourist attractions, but in the 1970s, the famous location was crime-ridden. To revitalize Times Square, one designer proposed an eccentric tower.

What Times Square looks like today. Courtesy of Barratt London

Times Square is one of the world's top tourist attractions, but in the 1970s, the famous location was crime-ridden. To revitalize Times Square, one designer proposed an eccentric tower.

Architect George Ranalli’s design for the Times Square Tower was almost dystopian-looking.

What the Times Square could have looked like. Courtesy of Barratt London

Today, Union Square in Manhattan is a park surrounded by stores and restaurants, but the city once wanted to build a massive monument to George Washington at its center.

Union Square today. Courtesy of Barratt London

Today, Union Square in Manhattan is a park surrounded by stores and restaurants, but the city once wanted to build a massive monument to George Washington at its center.

The Gothic building would have been 425-feet high, including a 100-foot rotunda.

What Union Square could have looked like with the Washington Monument. Courtesy of Barratt London

Today, three bridges connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, but New York City was almost home to a highway that would have stretched from Long Island to New Jersey.

What the Lower East Side looks like today. Google Maps

The Lower Manhattan Expressway's main architectural features would have been the towers that stood on either side of the road.

What the Lower East Side could have looked like with the Lower Manhattan Expressway. NetCredit

In 1900, the Australian government hosted a competition to find the best design for a new bridge that would span the Sydney Harbour.

Sydney Harbour Bridge. Archive Photos/ Getty

However, the Sydney Harbour Bridge could have looked very different. One architect proposed a radial design with multiple bridges coming from three directions.

What the Sydney Harbour Bridge could have looked like. Courtesy of SimplySavy

In 1911, Australia launched a competition to design a new capital city in Canberra. Today, political buildings fill most of the city.

Australia's Parliament House. TORSTEN BLACKWOOD / Getty

Instead of the Parliament House in Canberra, the plan was to build a pyramid-shaped structure that was meant for the people.

The proposed plans. Courtesy of Budget Direct

The Houses of Parliament in London have an unobstructed view of the River Thames, but one design proposal would have built an airport atop the famous river.

What the Thames River and Parliament look like today. Courtesy of Barratt London

The airport was supposed to be as high as Victoria Tower, which is about 300 feet.

What the Thames River and Parliament would have looked like with an airport. Courtesy of Barratt London

Double-decker buses are the norm on London roads, but one proposal called for a monorail.

A road in London today. Courtesy of Barratt London

The overhead monorail would have stretched across central London, while buses remained on the outskirts.

What a road in London could have looked like with a monorail. Courtest of Barratt London

Trafalgar Square in London is known for its tower and fountains, but at the time of its construction, architects proposed building a pyramid in its place.

What Trafalgar Square looks like today. Courtesy of Barratt London

The pyramid was expected to reach 300 feet in height.

What Trafalgar Square could have looked like. Courtesy of Barratt London

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of California's most iconic attractions, but one design proposed turning it into something more environmentally friendly.

What the Golden Gate Bridge looks like today. Eric Risberg/ AP

The silo-like structures would have changed the Golden Gate Bridge forever.

What the Golden Gate Bridge could have looked like. NetCredit

Chicago's skyline could have included an elaborate building called the National Life Insurance Building.

What the Chicago skyline looks like today. Shutterstock

The building, seen here on the far right, would have been recognizable for its ornate copper paneled exterior.

The National Life Insurance building off to the right. NetCredit

In Downtown Los Angeles, the City Hall stands tall, but architect Frank Lloyd Wright had a grander plan for the area.

What Los Angeles' City Hall looks like today. Shutterstock

Wright's idea for a civic center had 500-foot-wide walkways, terraces, rooftop gardens, and elaborate architecture.

What Los Angeles' civic center could have looked like. NetCredit

Seattle is known for its organized, grid-like streets, but in 1910, an architect dreamed up a more European-looking city.

What Seattle streets look like today. Shutterstock

The design for Seattle also included plans for 90 miles of rail transit, but in 1912, the plan failed at the polls.

What Seattle's streets could have looked like. NetCredit

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15 photos that show what New York, London, and other major cities almost looked like, based on old city designs

In 1858, New York City held a competition to find the best design for Central Park.

A design by John J. Rink is the only surviving entry from the Central Park competition, and it includes circular paths.

In 1946, real-estate mogul William Zeckendorf proposed a massive airport that would sit on top of Midtown Manhattan.

This is what the Midtown airport would have looked like today, had it been built.

The narrow island between Manhattan and Queens is known as Roosevelt Island, and features a quiet neighborhood and park. But in the early 1900s, architects wanted to turn the island into a civic center.

The Roosevelt Island Civic Center would have been super ornate, and would have included an elaborate municipal building.

Times Square is one of the world's top tourist attractions, but in the 1970s, the famous location was crime-ridden. To revitalize Times Square, one designer proposed an eccentric tower.

Architect George Ranalli’s design for the Times Square Tower was almost dystopian-looking.

Today, Union Square in Manhattan is a park surrounded by stores and restaurants, but the city once wanted to build a massive monument to George Washington at its center.

The Gothic building would have been 425-feet high, including a 100-foot rotunda.

Today, three bridges connect Brooklyn and Manhattan, but New York City was almost home to a highway that would have stretched from Long Island to New Jersey.

The Lower Manhattan Expressway's main architectural features would have been the towers that stood on either side of the road.

In 1900, the Australian government hosted a competition to find the best design for a new bridge that would span the Sydney Harbour.

However, the Sydney Harbour Bridge could have looked very different. One architect proposed a radial design with multiple bridges coming from three directions.

In 1911, Australia launched a competition to design a new capital city in Canberra. Today, political buildings fill most of the city.

Instead of the Parliament House in Canberra, the plan was to build a pyramid-shaped structure that was meant for the people.

The Houses of Parliament in London have an unobstructed view of the River Thames, but one design proposal would have built an airport atop the famous river.

The airport was supposed to be as high as Victoria Tower, which is about 300 feet.

Double-decker buses are the norm on London roads, but one proposal called for a monorail.

The overhead monorail would have stretched across central London, while buses remained on the outskirts.

Trafalgar Square in London is known for its tower and fountains, but at the time of its construction, architects proposed building a pyramid in its place.

The pyramid was expected to reach 300 feet in height.

The Golden Gate Bridge is one of California's most iconic attractions, but one design proposed turning it into something more environmentally friendly.

The silo-like structures would have changed the Golden Gate Bridge forever.

Chicago's skyline could have included an elaborate building called the National Life Insurance Building.

The building, seen here on the far right, would have been recognizable for its ornate copper paneled exterior.

In Downtown Los Angeles, the City Hall stands tall, but architect Frank Lloyd Wright had a grander plan for the area.

Wright's idea for a civic center had 500-foot-wide walkways, terraces, rooftop gardens, and elaborate architecture.

Seattle is known for its organized, grid-like streets, but in 1910, an architect dreamed up a more European-looking city.

The design for Seattle also included plans for 90 miles of rail transit, but in 1912, the plan failed at the polls.