'Pardon our appearance': Photos show Trump Tower mostly empty and in disrepair

A recent visit to Trump Tower where former president Donald Trump has set up camp while attending his 34 felony count trial in a nearby Manhattan courtroom revealed empty public spaces, lagging construction and a massive waterfall the Trump Organization is proud of turned off and silent.

In a collection of startling photos taken by the Daily Beast's Nell Scovell, accompanied by some of her wry commentary, at least the first two stories of the so-called Trump "crown jewel" appear mostly empty with shuttered retail shops undergoing construction, a currency exchange booth looking abandoned and a Trump Tower gift shop cluttered with "Trump 2020" campaign posters.

As Scovell wrote and documented with her photos, "With the owner and former president back in residence, you might think they’d spruce up the abutting commercial and retail space. You’d be wrong."

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Noting the massive lobby waterfall promoted by the Trump Organization as "One of the most notable features of Trump Tower is the breath-taking 60-foot waterfall embellishing the eastern wall of the building," Scovell reported, "Today, it’s notable that there’s no water in the waterfall. And a waterfall without water is just a wall."

She also reported the Trump Cafe is currently under construction (signage pleading "Pardon our appearance"), reporting it, “'most likely open the second week of May,' said an elderly security guard. Then he wiggled his hand in a 'give or take' gesture, suggesting not even he believes that will happen."

"Both public terraces appear to be permanently closed to the public. The lack of public outdoor spaces may be in violation of a deal with the city which traded additional square footage for these gardens. In the smaller exterior space, what’s visible through the window looks sparse and untended," she wrote before adding, "The large glass doors which once opened up to a second, grander terrace are now mirrored over and locked."

On a final note, Scovell photographed a forlorn black trash receptacle sitting among the planters, polished brass and glass with only a few Trump Tower visitors to be seen.

You can go here to see the stunning photographs.