Adrian Berlutti
Megaprojects are supposed to be game-changers, right? Well, sometimes they’re just big-budget blunders. The kind that looks great on paper but is full of costly, unforeseen problems in real life. Money gets wasted, and the results leave more questions than answers. Curious about which overhyped projects sank without a trace? Look at these ten of the most disappointing ones in modern history.
The Berlin Brandenburg Airport Debacle
Delays piled up as Berlin Brandenburg Airport overshot its timeline by eight years and ran $4 billion over budget. With the airport standing idle for years, maintenance costs ballooned, and the fire safety system failed to pass inspection. Ultimately, it became a national embarrassment in Germany.
Montreal’s Olympic Stadium Disaster
Originally envisioned as an iconic landmark, it turned into a financial disaster. The final cost soared to $1.4 billion, 14 times the initial budget. The stadium’s roof repeatedly tore, and it took 30 years to pay off debts. Locals dubbed it “The Big Owe.”
Malaysia’s Forest City Failure
Forest City was a $100 billion project meant to house 700,000 residents, but it has struggled with far fewer occupants. Marketed mainly to Chinese buyers, restrictive policies, flood risks, and lack of infrastructure contributed to its downfall. It’s now known as a “Ghost City by the Sea.”
Spain’s Ciudad Real Central Airport
Built with $1.1 billion in funding, Ciudad Real Airport shut down after just 3 years of operation. Intended to serve as Madrid’s overflow airport, it never attracted the expected traffic. Empty runways were later sold for just $10,000, highlighting the massive failure.
Istanbul’s Underused Third Airport
At a staggering cost of $12 billion, this airport failed to deliver the expected traffic. With only one of six runways fully operational, environmental destruction sparked protests. Additionally, the relocation of Turkish Airlines created chaos, while unfinished facilities remain a problem.
Scotland’s Edinburgh Trams Fiasco
The Edinburgh Tram project was initially budgeted at $500 million but ended up costing five times more and took five years longer to finish. The truncated network and ongoing street closures led to local backlash. Now, the limited routes see poor ridership, which makes it a costly joke.
India’s Nalanda International University Bust
Nalanda University’s $500 million investment didn’t lead to the academic revival it promised. With fewer than 200 students and a largely unfinished campus, the project’s failure has led to high faculty turnover. Locals question why it continues to be funded following years of underperformance.
Brazil’s Belo Monte Dam Controversy
This $18 billion megaproject was supposed to provide abundant energy, but it produced far less than expected. The dam displaced 20,000 Indigenous people and caused significant environmental damage to the rainforest. With energy output falling short, the project continues to spark protests and legal battles.
Kazakhstan’s Astana Pyramid Misfire
A $58 million glass pyramid was intended for peace talks but quickly became a costly and underused structure. Despite being designed by acclaimed architect Norman Foster, it became a symbol of wasted resources. The pyramid remains a tourist magnet with few visitors, contributing little to Kazakhstan’s economy.
Las Vegas Echelon Place Ruins
Echelon Place, a $4.8 billion project, stands abandoned as a skeletal structure after construction halted in 2008. Initially planned as the replacement for the Stardust Casino, the project’s failure remains an eerie reminder of the city’s once-optimistic economic boom, now a symbol of recession.
