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The world's ten ugliest buildings, as nominated by someone on the internet. And there's a DPRK connection....

Virtualtourist.com's list is headed up by this horror:


It is the - admittedly boarded up - Morris A Mechanic Theatre in Baltimore.  Wonder why they didn't use it in 'The Wire'.

The Pompidou Centre, which I rather like, makes #4.

And at #10 with a bullet, the Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang:



Of this, the random person on the internet says: "Riddled with issues that range from lack of money to poor construction to rumored collapse, this still unfinished nightmare has been under some form of construction for over 20 years. Started in 1987, construction was halted a few years later and left untouched until fairly recently."

Last year's top ten featured a few horrors from these shores, including Birmingham Library, the Scottish Assembly and the Metropolitan Cathedral, Liverpool.

My nomination is this:



It is New Zealand House, to be found at the bottom of Haymarket, and it is jaw-dropping in both its ugliness and architectural inappropriateness. 


Further nominations would be welcome.

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Blogger Old BE said... 3:17 pm

There's something interesting about New Zealand House. I rather like the terrace at the top of the lower section. I always give the building a good look when I pass by...  



Blogger Croydonian said... 3:19 pm

Ah well, each to their own. It makes me wince, and I live in Croydon for Chrissakes.  



Blogger hatfield girl said... 8:03 pm

If we can nominate whole areas then quite a lot of '30s 40's semis and four-house-terrace, arterial ribbon development must take the prize.

But if it's a single development then the Brunswick Centre at the top of Marchmont Street is even bigger and uglier than the bottom of the Haymarket.  



Anonymous Somchai said... 3:45 am

I thought of: St Joe's 'Cathedral', Wawsaw; Kawasaki, the whole district.

And then I remembered The Cages in the back streets of Bombay. Is it still the biggest prison-brothel in the world? Not strictly one building, an area, but truly awful.  



Blogger Croydonian said... 9:15 am

HG - Agreed, it is a monstrosity.

S - Can't say I know it, but I'll have a look.  



Blogger Unknown said... 11:48 am

Amidst the dreaming spires, there lurks Oxford's Engineering faculty - quite the most inappropriate building, with a distinct resemblance to a concrete shopping trolley.  



Blogger Unknown said... 11:48 am

As seen here: http://connect.in.com/oxford-engineering-college/photos-518962-8656089.html  



Blogger Croydonian said... 11:52 am

Good grief, that is horrible. Thanks for the link.  



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