Survey Ranks Two New Jersey Buildings Among America’s Ugliest
A recent countrywide study ranked two famous New Jersey public buildings among the least appealing in the US. The Robert Dekanski Team at Re/Max 1st Advantage studied public building design and look nationwide and identified the worst.
In the study of the 100 worst public buildings in the country, the Atlantic City Municipal Court ranked seventh. Its antiquated façade and unattractive architecture helped it rank high. Residents and visitors who believe Atlantic City, known for its casinos and tourism, deserves public buildings that represent its energy and vibrancy have repeatedly debated the building.
New Jersey’s second building on the list is the 25th-place Passaic County Administration Building. Despite not ranking as low as the Atlantic City Municipal Court, its placement indicates discontent with its representation of the area. Many say the design lacks character and feels removed from the community.
Since beauty and design are subjective, architecture often causes discussion. However, the survey represents a national discourse regarding public places and how their design affects community attitudes toward their cities. Residents across equate civic structures with pride, identity, and history. These structures typically symbolize neglect or bad planning when they don’t represent that.
This recognition may spark renovation and redevelopment discussions in New Jersey. Public buildings on such a list may wake up Atlantic City and Passaic County, who are trying to improve their image and community participation. Investing in more attractive and practical architecture may boost these regions’ aesthetic value and residents’ pride.
No structure is universally adored or loathed, but surveys like this remind us that architecture is more than concrete and steel. It shapes daily life, first impressions, and a community’s history. The emphasis on these two structures may motivate New Jersey officials and planners to rethink how future public projects reflect their communities.
Sources:
The Robert Dekanski Team at Re/Max 1st Advantage survey
