This Massachusetts public building was named one of the ‘ugliest’ the U.S.: Can you guess?

Boston is home to many beautiful and historic buildings, from the Massachusetts State House, with its gold dome, to Faneuil Hall, designed like an English country market.

But not every building can be a winner.

According to a July survey from the New Jersey Real Estate Network, Boston is also home to one of the nation's "ugliest" public buildings.

"These aren't tourist sites or architectural darlings – they're everyday buildings people interact with when paying a bill, contesting a fine, or renewing a license," read a blog post from the network. "They're workhorses, not showpieces. But as this survey makes clear, design still matters to residents."

To determine the ugliest public buildings in the U.S., the real estate network conducted an online panel survey of 3,003 respondents based on age, gender and geographic location.

Boston City Hall is one of the buildings that made the list.

Survey ranks Government Center as one of the nation's ugliest public buildings

The survey ranked the Boston Government Center Complex as the 11^th ugliest public building in the U.S. It’s not the first time the building, home to Boston City Hall, has had this distinction: in 2023, it was ranked as the second biggest eyesore in the U.S.

Completed in 1968, the building stands out from Boston’s traditional brick and brownstone buildings as an iconic example of brutalist architecture. It’s a style marked by its use of exposed concrete and harsh geometric patterns, and one that has caused much controversy since it was developed in the 1950s.

Like it or not, the building is here to stay after Mayor Michelle Wu designated the concrete building as a historic landmark in January.

“For more than five decades, Boston City Hall has served as a hub where residents come together to shape our city’s future, and has become a symbol of our city’s resilience, innovation, and commitment to our constituents,” said Wu in a statement. “As we officially designate Boston City Hall a Landmark, we honor its deep historical and cultural significance. "

Courthouses dominate list of ugly buildings

The survey revealed that more than half of the top 30 entries on the list of the country's ugliest public buildings were courthouses or judicial centers.

Many of the structures were built during the mid-to-late 20th century, a period dominated by brutalist and utilitarian architectural styles.

"While they were designed to convey authority and efficiency, today they often come off as cold and fortress-like," said the network.

Although the survey focused primarily on visual appeal, it also highlighted how public sentiment toward a building’s appearance often overlaps with perceptions of its functionality and upkeep.

A "drab building" may be tolerated if it delivers reliable service, but when it’s also deteriorating and difficult to navigate, dissatisfaction tends to rise, said the network.

What are the top 10 ugliest public buildings in the U.S.?

Here are the top 10 ugliest public buildings, according to the survey:

1. El Paso County Court Administration Building (El Paso, Texas)

2. City of Flint Municipal Center (Flint, Michigan)

3. Fresno County Superior Court (Fresno, California)

4. Buffalo City Court (Buffalo, New York)

5. Jackson County Courts Building (Pascagoula, Mississippi)

6. Philadelphia Municipal Services Building (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

7. Akron Municipal Court (Akron, Ohio)

8. Atlantic City Municipal Court (Atlantic City, New Jersey)

9. Bentonville Public Works Maintenance Facility (Bentonville, Arkansas)

10. Tuscaloosa County Public Works Building (Tuscaloosa, Alabama)

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: This building in Boston is one of the ugliest in the U.S., says survey