When Grand Central Terminal was built in 1913, architects dreamed that it would one day be the foundation of a massive skyscraper. 

But, by the time the 1950s rolled around, developers were seeking to demolish the world-class train terminal entirely, to build what would have been, at the time, the tallest building in the world.

Designed by world famous architect I.M. Pei, the 80-story tower from the future featuring a wholly unique (for the time) hourglass shape, was to be called "the Hyperboloid."

Designed to withstand nuclear bombs because, "Its facade was crisscrossed structural supports; overall the building resembled a bundle of sticks. At the base of Pei's building, and again in its upper levels, the floors were left open and the structure was left exposed."

The outlandish design was as much as a security measure as it was an aesthetic aspect, being that the building was designed to withstand nuclear bombs.

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Eventually, the air rights to Grand Central were sold in the 1960s, and the Pan-Am Building, now called Met Life, went up instead of Pei's nuke-proof wonder. 

Check out the footage below reproducing Pei's "Hyperboloid," and then let's thank our lucky stars this eyesore never went up in Grand Central Terminal's place, right?  

Check out 6 Reasons Grand Central Terminal Is Heaven on Earth (Or, At Least NYC). 

[via 6sqft]