https://travel.alot.com/themes/the-most-unsightly-building-in-every-state-ranked--19108?s=51&isLong=0&isVertical=1
In my home state, one of Disney's iconic resorts is been voted the ugliest.
Washington's entry is a Frank Gehry work. Perhaps the author doesn't get contemporary architecture at all.
Seattle's actual ugliest building might be the county administrative building:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/2530/3840840011_96363ebdbc_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/6RpiVv)
King County Administration Building (https://flic.kr/p/6RpiVv) by Divine Harvester (https://www.flickr.com/photos/divine_harvester/), on Flickr
Article is a strange mix of decent hits (NY) but ridiculous total misses (VT). Eh, 'twas only clickbait, anyway.
^ Not classic clickbait - you didn't have to click 50 times to get to each state.
Quote from: Rothman on July 26, 2023, 07:00:11 AM
Article is a strange mix of decent hits (NY) but ridiculous total misses (VT). Eh, 'twas only clickbait, anyway.
SSince they didn't include Central Warehouse for NY, I wouldn't trust their judgement anyway.
The Fresno County Courthouse has way more ugly factor than that KFC in Los Angeles does. Clearly the article writer never heard of Arcosanti in Arizona.
Quote from: kalvado on July 26, 2023, 07:07:58 AM
Quote from: Rothman on July 26, 2023, 07:00:11 AM
Article is a strange mix of decent hits (NY) but ridiculous total misses (VT). Eh, 'twas only clickbait, anyway.
SSince they didn't include Central Warehouse for NY, I wouldn't trust their judgement anyway.
The one in Albany? Aw, by now it has its charm just because of its persistence to exist. :D
Motor City Casino is a pretty ugly building I agree but they were wrong saying that there are four casino's in Detroit, there are only three.
They got Utah right. As soon as that courthouse went up in 2014, locals quickly began calling it a variety of colorful names including Borg Cube and Kleenex Box.
Quote from: Flint1979 on July 26, 2023, 08:13:44 AM
Motor City Casino is a pretty ugly building I agree but they were wrong saying that there are four casino's in Detroit, there are only three.
They must have been counting Windsor. :confused:
Don't know if I should be disappointed or pleased that the Maryland entry was torn down 9 years ago...
I had a great many classes in Wescoe Hall. Fully agree. (Kansas' offering).
I don't get the reasoning for some of these. The Biltmore is misplaced geographically, therefore it's ugly.
They could have used the Wisconsin DOT headquarters building as it looks like something out of Soviet Russia.
Minnesota's worst is probably the Hennepin County Government Center, though their choice of the Weisman Art Museum is what I expected.
Quote from: GaryV on July 26, 2023, 07:02:45 AM
^ Not classic clickbait - you didn't have to click 50 times to get to each state.
But they did shuffle the states so you can't just scroll to the approximate location of the one you want to see. (CTRL + F gets around that, of course)
DC's worst is probably the FBI Headquarters
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53073183146_ab294d8da4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oRTWiQ)
FBI Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/2oRTWiQ) by NocoRoads (https://www.flickr.com/photos/194494878@N04/), on Flickr
Having attended UC Berkeley, the correct answer for California is Wurster Hall on our campus (recently renamed Bauer Wurster Hall). It was built in 1964. A lot of buildings constructed in the Soviet Union about that time look like that.
https://www.reddit.com/r/brutalism/comments/z0p5yf/wurster_hall_uc_berkeleys_college_of/ (https://www.reddit.com/r/brutalism/comments/z0p5yf/wurster_hall_uc_berkeleys_college_of/)
Naturally, it houses the School of Architecture.
That ugly blue building in downtown Wichita Falls might have that courthouse in Austin beat.
I don't get why so many of the entries are just boring government buildings. (Same is true of the FBI building posted here two posts up from me–it's definitely not a very aesthetically pleasing building, but it's not bad to look at, it's just plain. And why would you want the FBI building to be attention-getting, anyway?)
The Oklahoma example...Yeah, the Weokie Credit Union building is sort of baffling to look at. But I can think of far more offensive buildings in Oklahoma (damn near every Chickasaw casino, for instance, especially the shambling horror that is Newcastle Casino).
Quote from: TheHighwayMan394 on July 26, 2023, 02:07:46 PM
Quote from: GaryV on July 26, 2023, 07:02:45 AM
^ Not classic clickbait - you didn't have to click 50 times to get to each state.
But they did shuffle the states so you can't just scroll to the approximate location of the one you want to see. (CTRL + F gets around that, of course)
Looks like they started off with the smallest population states (Wyoming, Alaska, etc.) and abandoned that plan before they got out of the 40s.
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 26, 2023, 06:32:29 PM
I don't get why so many of the entries are just boring government buildings. (Same is true of the FBI building posted here two posts up from me–it's definitely not a very aesthetically pleasing building, but it's not bad to look at, it's just plain. And why would you want the FBI building to be attention-getting, anyway?)
The Oklahoma example...Yeah, the Weokie Credit Union building is sort of baffling to look at. But I can think of far more offensive buildings in Oklahoma (damn near every Chickasaw casino, for instance, especially the shambling horror that is Newcastle Casino).
Because people don't know any worse?
Moreover, looks like it's about uncanny valley at its best. Per Rothman this one
Quotehas its charm just because of its persistence to exist.
(https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/23/02/16/21767083/4/1200x0.jpg)
Quote from: jlam on July 26, 2023, 02:20:28 PM
DC's worst is probably the FBI Headquarters
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/53073183146_ab294d8da4_k.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2oRTWiQ)
FBI Headquarters (https://flic.kr/p/2oRTWiQ) by NocoRoads (https://www.flickr.com/photos/194494878@N04/), on Flickr
The FBI building in DC is only ugly (as opposed to merely suburban office park bland) if you are of the mindset that all DC office architecture should be bleached white and have Greek/Roman columns in the main entrance. You'd be amazed at how many people have this "classical" mindset.
As for the South Dakota example, I can't really argue with that. Given how much business CenturyLink (fka Qwest, USWest, and Northwestern Bell) has lost in South Dakota, the state's tallest building is becoming increasingly wasteful.
Instead of focusing on the "ugliness" of certain buildings, let's now celebrate architecture that lasts:
https://goo.gl/maps/A8hE2VLdR3Y6bU2t7
This fine structure dates back to shortly after South Dakota became the 40th state. Not only is it still used today for federal courts, but does so in defiance of the ever-pervasive security theater, as noted by the walkway that replaced 12th Street.
Quote from: kalvado on July 26, 2023, 07:36:21 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on July 26, 2023, 06:32:29 PM
I don't get why so many of the entries are just boring government buildings. (Same is true of the FBI building posted here two posts up from me–it's definitely not a very aesthetically pleasing building, but it's not bad to look at, it's just plain. And why would you want the FBI building to be attention-getting, anyway?)
The Oklahoma example...Yeah, the Weokie Credit Union building is sort of baffling to look at. But I can think of far more offensive buildings in Oklahoma (damn near every Chickasaw casino, for instance, especially the shambling horror that is Newcastle Casino).
Because people don't know any worse?
Moreover, looks like it's about uncanny valley at its best. Per Rothman this one
Quotehas its charm just because of its persistence to exist.
(https://s.hdnux.com/photos/01/23/02/16/21767083/4/1200x0.jpg)
Well, okay then. That's the one I was referring to as well...
For Kentucky it has to the Kaden Tower in Lousville.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaden_Tower (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaden_Tower)
At least they got Nebraska's right.
Quote from: DandyDan on July 27, 2023, 07:42:54 AM
At least they got Nebraska's right.
It doesn't seem all that bad to me. Forgettable sure, but not ugly.
(https://assets.alot.com/assets/common/themes/u19108_slide_25566.jpg)
Quote from: CtrlAltDel on July 27, 2023, 02:58:52 PM
Quote from: DandyDan on July 27, 2023, 07:42:54 AM
At least they got Nebraska's right.
It doesn't seem all that bad to me. Forgettable sure, but not ugly.
I would say the same about pretty much each of 50 candidates.
Not even close in the case of Arkansas. Heck, this building isn't even the ugliest in downtown Fayetteville. I submit 2 buildings within a mile of the one in the article that are far and away uglier.
Humphreys and Yokum Halls (https://goo.gl/maps/5u6Z5e42NtJPGMgQ9)
Not my pick, but many folks in West Virginia think that the former Trans-Allegheny Lunatic Asylum in Weston is both ugly and creepy looking:
(https://www.aaroads.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-YwS4V_jrMJk%2FVUah0mj8_iI%2FAAAAAAAADT0%2F7_EPxNFtU-4%2Fs1600%2FGEDC0413.JPG&hash=6eac5257e1a9b34b27cc45a2747bc8178268f959)
If the article meant those currently standing, then MD's entry should be disqualified, because it was torn down nine years ago. I tend to agree with IL's entry, because the Thompson Center is an eyesore among the Chicago skyline. The top 50 by state is as follows:
AL--Government Plaza (Mobile)
AK--Westmark Hotel (Anchorage)
AZ--City Hall (Tempe)
AR--John Paul Hammerschmidt Federal Building (Fayetteville)
CA--KFC (Los Angeles)
CO--Denver Art Museum
CT--Pirelli Building (New Haven)
DE--Rollins Building Heliport (Wilmington)
FL--Contemporary Resort, Disney World (Orlando)
GA--Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta)
HI--One Waterfront Towers (Honolulu)
ID--Zions Bank Building (Boise)
IL--Thompson Center (Chicago)
IN--Minton-Capehart Federal Building (Indianapolis)
IA--English Philosophy Building, University of Iowa (Iowa City)
KS--Wescoe Hall, University of Kansas (Lawrence)
KY--Kaden Center (Louisville)
LA--Old State Capitol Building (Baton Rouge)
ME--School of Law Building, University of Maine (Portland)
MD--Morris A. Mechanic Theatre (Baltimore)
MA--Boston City Hall
MI--MotorCity Casino and Hotel (Detroit)
MN--Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum (Minneapolis)
MS--Gold Strike Casino Resort (Robinsonville)
MO--Compton Hill Water Tower (St. Louis)
MT--Health Sciences Building, University of Montana (Missoula)
NE--Omaha Police Department HQ
NV--Veer Towers (Las Vegas)
NH--Department of Employment Security Building (Concord)
NJ--American Dreams Meadowlands Mall (East Rutherford)
NM--Humanities Building, University of New Mexico (Albuquerque)
NY--432 Park Avenue (Manhattan)
NC--Biltmore Building (Asheville)
ND--State Capitol Building (Bismarck)
OH--Peter B. Lewis Building, Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland)
OK--Weokie Credit Union (Oklahoma City)
OR--Portland Building (Portland)
PA--Wesley W. Posvar Hall, University of Pittsburgh
RI--Apex Building (Pawtucket)
SC--Holiday Inn Charleston-Riverview (Charleston)
SD--Qwest Tower (Sioux Falls)
TN--AT&T Building (Nashville)
TX--Austin Courthouse
UT--Salt Lake City Courthouse
VT--House II (Hardwick)
VA--The Tycoon Office Building (Vienna)
WA--Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle)
WV--Bank of Mullens Building (Mullens)
WI--Humanities Building, UW Madison
WY--Dick Cheney Federal Building (Casper)
Quote from: Henry on July 27, 2023, 10:29:39 PM
MT--Health Sciences Building, University of Montana (Missoula)
The moment I saw you list this very building for my hometown, I was like "uuuuuuugh, Missoula. What have 'ya done?" But I'm going to add a couple caveats to this entry: The Wren (motel, possibly, or condominiums) - I just don't like icky yellow standing out against the historic buildings along Main Street. Yuck! That piece of junk building sits on what used to be a Days Inn at Main and Pattee Streets. That got torn down for that ugliness Wren building. Next to it was the former Firestone tire shop at around 175 N Pattee St. What happened to it? It, too, got the shovel for...an ugly ass Marriot hotel! Quite frankly, the old Missoula Public Library was just cramped. It was waaaay too small for the overflow of visitors and residents. The new one across from it is far more roomier and has basement level parking.
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Why would you nominate a building that was already nominated?
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 06:51:05 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Why would you nominate a building that was already nominated?
It is in effect a "second" or an "agreement" with the nomination. Multiple nominations is a common way to express strong support for candidates in awards, elections, and the like.
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 06:51:05 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Why would you nominate a building that was already nominated?
It is in effect a "second" or an "agreement" with the nomination. Multiple nominations is a common way to express strong support for candidates in awards, elections, and the like.
Your tapdancing skills are impressive.
Quote from: Henry on July 27, 2023, 10:29:39 PM
NJ--American Dreams Meadowlands Mall (East Rutherford)
So, this reveals that list is out of date for NJ.
When the American Dream (not Dreams) mall originally was built, it had a pitiful looking orange and blue facade, in varying hues, that many compared to a wall of shipping containers. https://goo.gl/maps/1FPKHGwwubnBzE7UA . The mall was sold before it ever opened.
When a new company took it over, it was well aware of the complaints regarding the facade. They gave it a sleeker look of all white, adding a few company names on the facade. https://goo.gl/maps/nkT5k2LW52ZnzLzUA
For all the complaints of the mall, it's not exactly ugly anymore (your opinion may vary).
What would be the ugliest? Hard for me to say...so I won't. Trenton certainly has some ugly office buildings, although a few of the worst have been demolished in recent years.
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 03:07:55 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 06:51:05 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Why would you nominate a building that was already nominated?
It is in effect a "second" or an "agreement" with the nomination. Multiple nominations is a common way to express strong support for candidates in awards, elections, and the like.
Your tapdancing skills are impressive.
One might reasonably ask why you care if I think its an ugly building, but there is nothing wrong with being pedantic. :coffee:
Had I used the term "second" you would have read right on by I suspect.
Quote from: Flint1979 on July 26, 2023, 08:13:44 AM
Motor City Casino is a pretty ugly building I agree but they were wrong saying that there are four casino's in Detroit, there are only three.
I can give a lot of latitude to most building design aesthetics, but when I saw that for the first time this year, I declared it to be the tri-curious offspring between a cruise ship, parking garage, and a boarded-up trailer home.
The Oklahoma casino I mentioned upthread is made up of a parking garage and trailers. (The third component is a gas station, though.)
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 03, 2023, 07:22:47 PM
The Oklahoma casino I mentioned upthread is made up of a parking garage and trailers. (The third component is a gas station, though.)
It must be so ugly that it is actually stylish.
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 03:46:52 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 03:07:55 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 06:51:05 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Why would you nominate a building that was already nominated?
It is in effect a "second" or an "agreement" with the nomination. Multiple nominations is a common way to express strong support for candidates in awards, elections, and the like.
Your tapdancing skills are impressive.
One might reasonably ask why you care if I think its an ugly building, but there is nothing wrong with being pedantic. :coffee:
Had I used the term "second" you would have read right on by I suspect.
Well yes, using the correct word is important. Saying 'I nominate X' implies X has not yet been mentioned.
I wouldn't really call the Rollins Building along Concord Pike (US 202) north of Wilmington, DE the ugliest building in the state, it just looks like any other skyscraper. It does look a little out of place being in a suburban area as opposed to downtown Wilmington.
Quote from: kirbykart on August 03, 2023, 08:56:19 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 03:46:52 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 03:07:55 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 01:48:19 PM
Quote from: Rothman on August 03, 2023, 06:51:05 AM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 03, 2023, 12:23:12 AM
Quote from: Rothman on August 02, 2023, 08:39:54 PM
Quote from: HighwayStar on August 02, 2023, 08:08:28 PM
I nominate 432 Park Ave for NY
Did you read this thread, let alone the article?
Yes, why do you think I happened to pick one on the list without reading it?
Why would you nominate a building that was already nominated?
It is in effect a "second" or an "agreement" with the nomination. Multiple nominations is a common way to express strong support for candidates in awards, elections, and the like.
Your tapdancing skills are impressive.
One might reasonably ask why you care if I think its an ugly building, but there is nothing wrong with being pedantic. :coffee:
Had I used the term "second" you would have read right on by I suspect.
Well yes, using the correct word is important. Saying 'I nominate X' implies X has not yet been mentioned.
Nomination can be duplicated. Ever been in a club where people are nominated for offices? Not uncommon to see multiple nominations as a sign of support.
Quote from: Henry on July 27, 2023, 10:29:39 PM
VA--The Tycoon Office Building (Vienna)
The Markel Building (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markel_Building) in Richmond is uglier than the Tycon Center. It was literally inspired by a baked potato.
Quote from: Dough4872 on August 03, 2023, 09:15:28 PM
I wouldn't really call the Rollins Building along Concord Pike (US 202) north of Wilmington, DE the ugliest building in the state, it just looks like any other skyscraper. It does look a little out of place being in a suburban area as opposed to downtown Wilmington.
The supposed history of this building: It was built as a catalyst to extend the city northwestward. It never happened. If this was actually true, that would involve bringing the city across the Brandywine River, which is generally a very charming area.
No way the Old State Capitol in BR is the state's ugliest building. It is a historic, distinctive structure with lovely architecture both inside and out.
The real ugliest building in La. is directly adjacent - the Baton Rouge City Hall.
With the lengths we went to to avoid doing anything the USSR did, somehow we readily adopted their shitty architecture style.
Quote from: kalvado on August 03, 2023, 07:59:57 PM
Quote from: Scott5114 on August 03, 2023, 07:22:47 PM
The Oklahoma casino I mentioned upthread is made up of a parking garage and trailers. (The third component is a gas station, though.)
It must be so ugly that it is actually stylish.
I can assure you, it is not. Unless stale cigarette smoke, stained carpet, and graffiti etched into bathroom mirrors are what's in these days.
Not a fan of the Clinton Library in Little Rock. Looks like a trailer house ready to plunge into the river.
(https://enneadweb.s3.amazonaws.com/work-images/9908_Clinton/_md/9908_Clinton_-45.jpg)