Famous Buildings Made of Steel

Published On: September 17th, 2014Categories: Metal Buildings, News, Steel Buildings

Architects design and construct famous buildings using a variety of materials, but none stand out as much as a building made out of steel. While the construction industry has been using steel for quite some time, using steel became popular towards the end of the 19th century and the trend continued into the 20th century. Today, when cities are competing with one another to erect the tallest skyscrapers, it is the buildings made of steel that often become cynosure of all eyes. These buildings are not monstrosities as you may think. Instead, they are hailed as masterpieces; renowned for their durability; and have become tourist attractions.

Here are some of the famous buildings made of steel that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. It is only then you will realize why these famous buildings have become iconic and legendary across the world.

San Sebastian Church, Manila

Located in the Quiapo, a district in Manila, San Sebastian Church is surrounded by quaint and old buildings and structures. The Church has a steel frame and panels and it has the distinction of being the only neo-gothic church made from steel in Asia. The Church also is known as the Basilica Minore de San Sebastian and is revered as one of the most famous buildings made of steel.

The Church’s construction completed in 1891 and it was truly iconic. The steel portions were manufactured in Binche, Belgium before being shipped to Manila. Local craftsmen and artists joined hands with the Belgian firm that was constructing the Church to assemble the structure, which was further enhanced by stained glass manufactured in Germany.

The Eiffel Tower, Paris

There is no doubt the Eiffel Tower has become synonymous with Paris, but not many people know the structure was erected to commemorate the selection of France to host the World Fair. When the Tower was unveiled, it had many detractors and there was even a proposal put forth to bring it down. However, this 320-meter tall Tower is one of the most visited sites in Paris and attracts millions of visitors from across the world. Talk about a famous building!

The Empire State Building, New York

Built in 1931, The Empire State Building is perhaps the most recognized high-rise in the world. Once upon a time, it was the world’s tallest building and even today, it still holds the pride of place in the city. It is a major tourist attraction that took a mere 13 months to complete. The design of the building is that of a pencil standing on its nib! With 103 stories, The Empire State Building is truly an iconic, famous building made from steel.

The Willis Tower, Chicago

Formerly known as the Sears Tower, the Willis Tower defines Chicago’s skyline with its 110 stories that rise up to 1,450 feet. It took three years to complete the construction of this building, which has been featured in several Hollywood films and is considered one of the best buildings made of steel. Today, it is one of the main attractions in the city for its viewing boxes that give a bird’s eye view of Chicago.

These are some of the famous buildings made of steel. However, you also can use steel to make structures, such as garages, carports, barns, storage structures and an array of commercial and agricultural buildings.

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