Not many things are creepier than long-abandoned locations, places long forgotten by time and people. They often exude a sense of foreboding that make them far too eerie for most to visit, yet offer some of the coolest locations to explore and see something different from the norm.
The truth is, however, that some of the world’s abandoned places also make for great venues, especially for raves and warehouse-type parties, not unlike the spaces thousands would flock to during the rave era of the ’80s and ’90s. Whether they need a little touch or some sprucing up is subjective, but we at 6AM like to think of these spaces as amazing potential party locations.
We have selected several that we think would be great venues for a rave:
Image via Techno Moves
The IM Power Plant is a decommissioned coal power plant near the Belgian village of Monceau-sur-Sambre. It was one of the largest coal burning power plants in Belgium first built in 1921. It remained in service until 2007 following protests by Greenpeace concerning the plant’s massive CO2 emissions.
Image via Techno Moves
The Buzludzha monument — officially known as the House-Monument of the Bulgarian Communist Party — is a vast relic from Bulgaria’s communist past. Located at the peak of a historically significant mountain, the building opened in 1981 to house general assemblies of the ruling Communists. However, the downfall of the Communist government in 1989 marked its end as Bulgarians chose to put the country’s past behind them.
Image via Techno Moves
The former City Hall subway station in New York City was built in 1904 as part of the City Beautiful movement — which proposed stunning urban architecture to uplift public spirits. Unfortunately, it was closed down in 1945, as the bend of its track quickly made it obsolete when the subway system switch from five to ten-car trains.
Image via Techno Moves
The Tat Tak School was built in 1974 and operated without incident, only gaining infamy after 1998 when it closed down. Only then did paranormal activity start, beginning with the tale that the headmistress hung herself in the girl’s bathroom while wearing red clothing upon the school’s closing, thus leaving her demonic spirit behind to haunt the school grounds.
Image via Techno Moves
This unfinished building stands out like a sore thumb in the middle of downtown Bangkok. This 49-storey luxury residential tower broke ground in 1990, but the 1997 Asian financial crisis brought a swift end to construction when it was already 80 percent completed.
Knezev Arsenal is a military- industrial and architectural complex, unique in Serbia and in Europe. This sort of ambient unit consists of fabric building and workshops, from the late 19th century and early 20th century. In the last couple of years, Arsenal is particularly interesting for the employees in the film and music industry, and already had some raves held on this historic venue.
Image credits: The New No. 2
Michigan Central Station was built in 1913 in Detroit to create a new public transportation hub. Several planning oversights and mistakes, however, led to its gradual decline and closing in 1988. While the building’s fate remains to be decided, it has appeared in several films and videos, including Eminem’s “8 Mile” film and “Beautiful” music video.
Image credits: Dimitar Kilkoff
The former headquarters of Bulgaria’s Communist Party are just as eerie on the outside as on the inside. The flying-saucer-like building, while probably a wonder while it was in use from 1981 until 1991, went into disrepair soon after the fall of the Soviet Union. It is now a ghost of its former self, although plans are being made to restore it.
Image credits: Frank Grace
The New Bedord Orpheum is an old theater and entertainment building located in Massachusetts in the U.S. It was opened in 1912 and closed in 1959 – since then, it has stored tobacco and served as a supermarket. Now, the Orph Inc. nonprofit is trying to raise money to revitalize the building.
Hashima island in Japan has a wide array of nicknames, including Battelship Island (for its shape) and Ghost Island. From the late 1800s to late 1900s, the island was populated because of the access it granted to undersea coal mines. However, as Japan gradually switched from coal to petroleum, the mines (and the buildings that sprung up around them to support their workers) closed down, leaving an isolated ghost town that reminds some of a ghostly concrete battleship.
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