Chicago Spire

Location: Chicago
Architect: Santiago Calatrava
Developer: Shelbourne Development
Financial Backers: Garrett Kelleher (Shelbourne Development), Anglo Irish Bank

This spiraling tower on Lakeshore Drive was set to be the tallest structure in the Western Hemisphere. Currently, it's a pit—110-feet wide and 7-stories deep. Developer Garrett Kelleher (pictured) sank $180 million of his own funds into the venture, stalled since January, and Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava filed a lien claim against the project for the millions he is owed. With few other financing prospects, Kelleher is reportedly in talks with the AFL-CIO, which may loan the funds in exchange for the thousands of union construction jobs it would generate.