From Sauron to Bane: 13 real buildings that are perfect for the headquarters of a movie supervillain (14) photo)

There are many unusual buildings in the world – huge and tiny, ethnic and high-tech, with unusual decor and original furnishings.





But the buildings from this selection would be perfect for the role of the main villain's headquarters in any modern film. They are very authentic and original with their Gothic spires, black mirrored glass and "apocalypse"-style lighting. The buildings do not even need any finishing touches from artists. And while the buildings are only "dreaming" of a career in cinema, they have to perform other, more earthly functions.

1. Copan Building, Sao Paulo, Brazil



A residential building built in Sao Paulo in 1966 based on a design by Oscar Niemeyer. The building consists of six blocks attached to each other. All blocks are connected in three places: the roof, a shopping arcade, and basements. The building is serviced by 100 technical staff. On the ground floor there are catering establishments, a post office, a travel agency, and even a church. And on the roof there is a helipad.

2. Southside Elementary School, Columbus, Indiana, USA





3. Shakaden, Reiyukai Headquarters, Tokyo, Japan



The Shakaden is an architectural complex that serves as a meeting place and social center for Reiyukai members in the local community. In Japanese, Shakaden means "House of Shakyamuni" and is a place where anyone can deepen their practice according to the teachings of Buddha Shakyamuni. The construction of Shakaden took four years and the complex was completed in 1975.

4. Hope for Peace Monument, Beirut, Lebanon



The Hope for Peace Monument (French: Espoir de Paix) is a monument in Yarzeh, Lebanon, created to commemorate the end of the Lebanese Civil War in 1990. It was designed by French-American artist Armand Fernandez and unveiled in 1995. This monument is the official memorial to the end of the war and is located next to the Lebanese Ministry of National Defense.

5. Tower of Great Prayer for Peace, Tondabayashi, Osaka, Japan



The Tower of Great Prayer for Peace, also known as the PL Tower, is a 180-meter-tall cenotaph (symbolic monument) built in 1970 by the new religious movement Perfect Freedom Church.

6. Hotel Panorama Slovakia, Strbske Pleso, Slovakia



It was built in 1969 and ceremonially opened for the opening of the World Alpine Ski Championships in 1970. The author of the project is the Czech architect Zdenek Krizek.

7. Hyllie Water Tower, Malmö, Sweden



8. Martyrs' Memorial, Algiers



A monument erected in Algiers in honor of those who died in the Algerian War of Independence 1954-1962.

It was officially opened on July 5, 1982, on the anniversary of the 20th anniversary of Algerian independence. The author of the monument is Polish sculptor Marian Konieczny.

9. Christine McConnell's Parents' House in Los Angeles



Christine McConnell's Parents' House is a building in Los Angeles, famous thanks to social networks and television, owned by the family of artist, photographer and TV presenter Christine McConnell.

10. Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, USA



One of the most recognizable Marriott hotels in Atlanta, Georgia. Known for its futuristic atrium and grand scale, it is often used for conferences and large events.

11. "Agora", Taipei, Taiwan with the original "evil building" Taipei 101



Agora Garden is a luxury residential skyscraper in Taipei, known for its eco-friendly design and unusual "twisted" architecture. It is often photographed against the backdrop of Taipei 101, one of the most famous skyscrapers in the world, which is sometimes jokingly called the "evil building" on the Internet due to its Gothic style and associations with science fiction films.

12. "The Villain's Lair" in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA



While Charlotte doesn't have an official villain's lair, one building has earned the nickname among locals and internet users thanks to its gothic design, dramatic lighting, and aura of corporate secrecy.

13. Hyatt Regency San Francisco



It's known for its unique 17-story atrium, location in the Financial District, and panoramic views of the city.