Top 10 Architectural Wonders in the USA

New York City's Empire State Building1

Being ethnically and culturally diverse, the United States prides itself on showing its colors, creativity and style through its regionally varied architecture. From the eclectic to the modern, the traditional to the futuristic, the United States is home to a plethora of innovative and breathtaking architecture. But what makes one building or structure an architectural wonder and another just a plain old building? The answer is the age old saying, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. There will never be unanimous agreement on what should be considered an architectural wonder, however buildings that are usually classified as so are the ones that capture hearts and minds. These wonders speak to people on an emotional level and are, more often than not, aesthetically pleasing. The following list of architectural wonders represent some of the United States' best.

EMPIRE STATE BUILDING

Built in New York City during the Depression Era (1930s), the Empire State Building is the ultimate American symbol of strength and perseverance. Recognized around the world and immortalized in several motion pictures, the structure was designed by William Lamb, an architect from the Shreve, Lamb & Harmon firm. The exterior of the building was constructed using Indiana Limestome, Rose Formosa and Estrallante marble, and although construction took a little over a year, this landmark was completed ahead of schedule. The familiar art deco spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to be used as a mooring mast and depot for dirigibles but that proved to be dangerous after a few attempts and the idea was dropped. The total height of the building is 1454 ft (443 m), which made it the tallest building in the world for 41 years until it was surpassed by the North Tower of the World Trade Center in 1972. After the September 11, 2001 destruction of the World Trade Center, the Empire State Building took its place as the tallest structure in the city and the second tallest in the country.

	A Front View of San Xavier del Bac Mission2

SAN XAVIER DEL BAC MISSION

Known as The White Dove of the Desert, the San Xavier del Bac Mission is located in the Santa Cruz Valley 9 mi (14 km) south of Tuscon, Arizona. It is a picturesque white church with an elegant yet simple Moorish-inspired design. The building features a grand dome, soaring towers, rounded parapets and graceful spires. Built from 1783 to 1797, not much is known about the construction of this architectural wonder, including who the architect was and why one of the towers was never completed.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Home of the President of the United States of America, The White House is the most popular residence in the country and is the only head of state home that is open to the public. Built between 1792 and 1800 in Washington DC, a national competition was held to choose the designer of the home of the nation's leader. President Jefferson entered the contest under an alias, however President Washington chose James Hoban, an Irish-born architect living in South Carolina, to design the stately residence. The White House design was inspired by the seat of the Irish parliament, Dublin's Leinster House.

Gateway Arch at Night3

GATEWAY ARCH

It is easily understood why one of St. Louis, Missouri's most popular attractions is the Gateway Arch. Measuring an impressive 630 ft (192 m) in height and span, this lofty curved arch stands out among the city's other structures. Made from 900 tons of stainless steel, the arch is known as a catenary curve (a flexible chain or cable in the shape of an arch that hangs freely and then takes hold at the ends) and is one of the most structurally sound arch shapes. Designed in 1965 by Eero Saarinen, the arch is located on the riverfront where visitors can be elevated by tram to the arch's observation area by entering at the base of the north and south legs.

TRINITY CHURCH

Located in Boston, Massachusetts' Copley Square, Trinity Church is a Richardsonian Romanesque gem that has often been imitated across North America and Europe. Distinguished by a grand tower, heavy arches, clay roof, rough stone and polychromy, the church was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, hence the style Richardsonian Romanesque. This particular project helped firmly establish Richardson as a great architect. Trinity was built between 1872 and 1877 and was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1970.

	A Sunny Day at the Jefferson Monticello4

THE JEFFERSON MONTICELLO

A fine example of Roman neoclassicism, The Jefferson Monticello is located just outside Charlottesville, Virginia and was once home to former President Thomas Jefferson. Construction began in 1769, was completed by 1809 and was built according to Jefferson's own design. The house was meant to be a classic example of the country gentleman's estate with gardens and plenty of green space. Most of the building materials came from Jefferson's own land such as the structural timber, and the bricks and the limestone for making mortar were quarried there as well as the stone for the cellars and the East front columns. The house has been renovated and remodeled throughout the years.

ANNUCIATION GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH

Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1956, the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin does not look like a typical church. Its circular futuristic-looking design is quite different from traditional Byzantine church architecture. The building's design is based on the Greek cross inscribed with a circle and also features a dome-shaped roof. The church is entirely formed of re-enforced concrete and incorporates symbols and colors affiliated with the Greek Orthodox faith. This was one of Wright's last big projects, he later died in 1959 before seeing the church's completion in 1961.

GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE

One of San Francisco's most popular attractions, the Golden Gate Bridge has become an internationally recognized symbol appearing in many movies and photographed countless times. Upon its completion in 1937, it had the longest suspension bridge span in the world but has since been surpassed by several other bridges and is now the second longest in the United States. Echoing an art deco theme, the “International Orange”-colored steel bridge features wide vertical ribbing and two towers that rise 746 ft (227 m). The distance between the two towers is 4200 ft (1280 m) while the total length of the bridge including approaches is 1.7 mi (2.7 km) or 8981 ft (2737 m). Construction took just over four years and traffic began flowing across the bridge in May, 1937.

A Front View of the Moana Surfrider5

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL

Featuring stainless steel curves, the 3.6 acre (1.45 ha) Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California was designed to be one of the most acoustically innovative concert halls in the world. The exterior is eye-catching and futuristic-looking while the interior design provides state-of-the-art acoustics. The Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and was designed by architect Frank Gehry. Construction of the parking garage began in 1992 and was completed in 1996, while the concert hall's construction started in 1999. It was officially opened to the public in November 2003.

MOANA SURFRIDER – A WESTIN RESORT

Known as the First Lady of Waikiki, the oceanfront Moana Surfrider is a historic hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Moana opened its doors in 1901 and was the first hotel on Waikiki Beach, marking the beginning of tourism in that area. Built by wealthy landowner Walter Chamberlain Peacock, the building reflects the Beaux-arts design of the early 1900s with grand columns and detailed woodwork. The Moana's design was hugely influenced by European styles popular at the time and also evokes a Victorian charm. Over the years the hotel has undergone extensive renovations, which included adding two floors in 1928 and adding Italian Renaissance-styled concrete wings to each side of the building, giving it its recognizable H shape. In 1989, the hotel underwent a $50 million historic restoration.

1. Empire State Building; New York City, New York, USA
2. San Xavier del Bac Mission; Tuscon, Arizona, USA
3. David Preston; c/o Gateway Arch Riverfront; Gateway Arch at Night; St. Louis, MO, USA
4. The Jefferson Monticello; Charlottesville, VA, USA
5. Moana Surfrider; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA