Skyscrapers Beyond America: Europe and Japan During WWII

Many people associate skyscrapers with American cities, particularly in the early 20th century. However, several cities in Europe and Japan also had notable high-rise buildings before and during World War II. This article explores the presence of skyscrapers in European and Japanese cities, highlighting their architectural significance and the impact of the war on these structures.

Europe

Skyscrapers were not solely an American phenomenon during World War II. Several cities in Europe had impressive high-rise buildings before the war. Let's take a look at some of these:

London, UK

London is known for its iconic skylines today, but even before World War II, it had notable tall buildings. For instance, the OXO Tower (1928) and the N.E. Railway Building (1909) contributed to the city's skyline. However, the most recognizable modern skyscraper is the Gherkin (30 St Mary Axe, 2003).

Berlin, Germany

Berlin had several tall buildings before and during World War II. Notable examples include the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church and various pre-war office buildings. The Berlin TV Tower wasn't built until 1969, but the city's pre-war architecture laid the groundwork for its urban landscape.

Milan, Italy

Milan, too, had its own impressive high-rise before the war. The Pirelli Tower (1960) is perhaps the most iconic, but the city had numerous tall buildings and structures before WWII, including the Torre Velasca (1958).

Japan

Before World War II, Tokyo also had several tall structures, including the Tokyo Tower (1958). Although these structures did not fully meet the modern skyscraper standards of today, they were significant for their time.

Impact of World War II on Skyscrapers

The war had a profound impact on many of these skylines. For example, Rotterdam's Witte Huis (1897), at 43 meters tall, was one of the few edifices still standing in the city center after the Luftwaffe's bombing on May 14, 1940.

Pre-War Skyscrapers in Europe and Japan

In Warsaw, pre-war skyscrapers like the Prudential Building faced destruction during the conflict. A B-25 bomber crashing into the Empire State Building in the 1940s (though not during WWII) demonstrates the challenges these structures faced.

While these pre-war structures were "over-built" compared to buildings of later decades, such as the World Trade Center, they still played a significant role in the urban landscape of their respective cities.

Key Takeaways: Skyscrapers were a defining feature of early 20th-century cities in Europe and Japan as well as in America. Despite World War II, many of these historic buildings survived and contributed to the post-war reconstruction efforts. The evolution of these structures showcases how urban landscapes adapted over time.

Conclusion

While skyscrapers in the modern sense are more associated with American cities, it is clear that these impressive structures were a feature of many European and Japanese cities before and during World War II. The architectural legacy of these buildings continues to influence modern cityscapes and urban planning today.