The LA Neighborhood That Fell Into the Sea | Sunken City

In our original episode on Mar-a-Lago, we explored the estate’s over-the-top history and iconic design—but we left out one incredibly important feature. After hearing from many of you, I realized there was a surprising piece of architecture that deserved a deep dive of its own.In this follow-up, we uncover the forgotten purpose of Mar-a-Lago’s towering structure—and how it wasn’t just decorative. Designed in the 1920s before air conditioning was common, the estate’s 75-foot tower was a marvel of passive cooling, channeling ocean breezes and expelling hot air using the stack effect. We’ll also look at how similar design principles shaped buildings across the U.S., from plantations and adobe homes to 19th-century statehouses and lighthouses. This episode is part correction, part revelation—and it proves just how much history can hide in plain sight.

5 Juni 6min

Before New York built its legendary subway system, an inventor quietly constructed a different kind of underground transit—powered not by electricity, but by air. In 1870, Alfred Ely Beach opened the Beach Pneumatic Transit beneath Broadway, a functioning subway that silently whisked passengers through a sealed tunnel using air pressure. It was revolutionary, popular—and ultimately, shut down.This episode dives into the forgotten story of America’s earliest subway experiment, built in secret under Manhattan at a time when the city’s streets were choked with chaos. We’ll explore how political corruption, especially from Boss Tweed and Tammany Hall, crushed the project—and how the remains were unearthed decades later during construction of the modern subway system.

31 Maj 12min

It’s the largest low-rise office building on Earth—and one of the most secretive. With more floor space than the Empire State Building and 17 miles of corridors, the Pentagon is the center of U.S. military command—but the public only sees a sliver of it. From forgotten tunnels to sealed war rooms, its true layout remains hidden even from most who work there.In this episode, we uncover the forgotten history and classified secrets of the Pentagon: why it was built so fast, what lies in its deeper levels, and how its very structure was designed for control, movement, and defense. From the Pentagon Papers to lost access tunnels and internal surveillance, we reveal why this five-sided fortress is still one of the most off-limits places in America.

29 Maj 12min

Before pressure valves and digital controls, American cities relied on a forgotten form of infrastructure: the standpipe. These towering vertical tubes stabilized water pressure across growing metropolises—but almost all were demolished once they became obsolete. Except in St. Louis.Between 1871 and 1898, the city built three massive architectural towers to house its standpipes—each one more ambitious than the last. Why did St. Louis treat these utility structures like civic monuments? How did they work? And why are they still standing when every other city tore theirs down? In this episode, we explore the story of St. Louis’ hydraulic past—and the industrial monuments it left behind.

24 Maj 16min

What happens when a prison becomes more famous after it closes? The Ohio State Reformatory in Mansfield was once a state-of-the-art facility meant to rehabilitate young offenders. But over time, its towering gothic architecture became a symbol of overcrowding, violence, and ghost stories — until it finally shut its doors in 1990.Today, it’s a hotspot for filmmakers, tourists, and ghost hunters alike — best known as the filming location for The Shawshank Redemption. In this episode, we explore the strange life of the reformatory, from its progressive 19th-century roots to the brutal scandals that defined its later years. You’ll discover how it became both a cinematic icon and one of America’s most haunted places.

17 Maj 14min

Rockefeller Center is one of New York’s most iconic landmarks—but it was never supposed to exist. Originally planned as a new home for the Metropolitan Opera, the project collapsed before it even began. The stock market crashed, investors fled, and John D. Rockefeller Jr. was left alone with a six-million-square-foot lease and no clear plan.But instead of walking away, he built something bigger. In the depths of the Great Depression, Rockefeller Center rose from nothing—an audacious mix of office towers, broadcast studios, and underground infrastructure that would reshape Midtown Manhattan. In this episode, we uncover the improbable story of how one man’s gamble became a new blueprint for urban America.

15 Maj 17min

I had an amazing time in Slovakia, and I’d like to sincerely thank everyone I met on the journey — your hospitality, history, and humor truly made this trip unforgettable. I even tried bryndzové halušky (and yes, I loved it). Hope to return soon to explore some of your incredible castles — there’s so much more to share from this beautiful country. Ďakujem! 🇸🇰What looks like a flying saucer perched above the Danube River is actually one of Slovakia’s most iconic structures — but its origins are steeped in controversy. Built during the Cold War, Bratislava’s UFO Bridge (officially called the SNP Bridge) came at a devastating cost: the destruction of part of the city’s ancient old town.In this episode, we travel to Slovakia’s capital to uncover why the government gambled its history on futuristic architecture, how they engineered a bridge that leans but still stands strong, and why a secretive, elite-only restaurant once operated inside the UFO itself. Discover the hidden layers behind one of Europe’s strangest landmarks — a story of ambition, loss, and unexpected pride.

10 Maj 14min

Once a cornerstone of Ontario’s power grid, the Hearn Generating Station loomed over Toronto’s waterfront, silently shaping the city’s growth. At its peak, it supplied 10% of the province’s electricity—fueling industry, innovation, and modern life. But behind its brick facade was a dangerous maze of turbines, steam, and human effort. This was no ordinary power plant—it was a colossal machine that ran 24/7, with lives on the line.In this episode, we trace the rise, operation, and dramatic decline of the Hearn Station. From its ambitious beginnings on reclaimed marshland to its role in powering a growing metropolis, we uncover the political battles, technological triumphs, and personal stories that defined its legacy. Today, it’s abandoned—but not forgotten.

8 Maj 15min