The Tehran Desert Ghost Towers, also known as the Pardis City project, are a collection of unfinished high-rise buildings located in Pardis, Iran. The town was the mastermind of president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, fueled by the desire to alleviate overcrowding. “This will be the finest project undertaken since Adam!” he declared, embarking on this tumultuous journey envisioning to build 17 cities and countless houses.  

However, the project, referred to as Mehr Housing (Mehr meaning “affection” in Farsi), was plagued from the start. Economic instability coupled with mismanagement led to funding shortfalls. Poor planning resulted in a lack of infrastructure like water and sanitation. The dream quickly dwindled down with many units deemed unfit for habitation due to shoddy constructions.

By the 2010s, the project was finally put on hold, with unfinished towers of Pardis now dubbed “Ghost Towers.” These skeletal giants stand with bare windows, doors, and stripped-out concrete. While there are reports that there are attempts to revive the project, its future remains uncertain.