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

Date: Category:US Views:2 Comment:0


Connecticut is home to many beautiful and historic buildings, from the Old State House to the Mark Twain House, both in Hartford.

But not every building can be a winner.

According to a July survey from the New Jersey Real Estate Network, Connecticut is also home to one of the nation's top 100 "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.

The Bridgeport Police Headquarters is one of the buildings that made the list.

Survey ranks Connecticut building as one of the nation's ugliest public buildings

The survey ranked the Bridgeport Police Department as the 12th ugliest public building in the U.S.

According to the Connecticut Post, the nearly 60-year-old building is cramped and outdated, preventing law enforcement officers from doing their job efficiently and happily. Police officers and city council members say the building is dark, dingy, prone to flooding and too small.

City officials and political leaders are now planning to build a new one, according to reporting, a project that could cost millions of dollars.

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.

An example of brutalist architecture: Hill Hall at the Rutgers Neward campus, 1970, designed by Robert L. Geddes
An example of brutalist architecture: Hill Hall at the Rutgers Neward campus, 1970, designed by Robert L. Geddes

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 Bulletin: This building in CT is one of the ugliest in the U.S., says survey

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