The World's Most Expensive Forgotten Edifices
6. Palace of the Golden Orbs, Houston, Texas
The address is Overture Drive in Houston, Texas. Time period: 1990s Building cost: $6 million Located on Overture Drive in Houston, Texas, Chong Hua Sheng Mu Holy Place, often referred to as the Palace of the Golden Orbs, is a Taoist building. It stands out from the other suburban areas in the West because of the enormous golden ball that protrudes from its roof. The Palace protrudes over adjacent two-story apartment buildings and strip malls, making it easy to locate.
Location: Houston, TX
Robert Kimberly
The Taoist Palace of the Golden Orbs was founded by Kwai Fu Wong, who ultimately abandoned the building in the 1990s after running out of funds. Despite her ambitious vision for the temple, the structure remains untouched, standing as a testament to an unfulfilled dream. Its preservation, despite the lack of maintenance, reflects both the aspirations of its founder and the allure of unfinished projects in architectural history.
In conclusion, the Palace of the Golden Orbs serves as a poignant reminder of ambition and the fragility of dreams, inviting reflection on the stories behind abandoned spaces.
