01 March 2023 , 11:38
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A Brummy office block has been named the ugliest building in the UK.
Centre City Tower in Birmingham has been given the dubious honour by photography experts at ParrotPrint, who described it as "undoubtedly unpleasant" and "hard to miss".
The gold medal was given to the tower as part of a study of the most unpleasant looking constructions across our otherwise emerald isle.
Matt Dahan from ParrotPrint.com said: “Architects have understood since the dawn of construction that a building should be functional and beautiful.
“However, this concept has been lost in these designs; I would go as far as to say these are crimes against architecture. If I were in the area, I would not even want to look up at them.
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The map shows the UK's ugliest buildings (Devon Live/ParrotPrint.com)"Many of these buildings across the country are certainly the definition of the brutalist architecture style which swept designers in the 1950s to 70s - such as Central Church in Devon.
“And some are a reflection of this bad taste in a modern form - like the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh.”
Do you agree with the rankings? Let us know in the comments below.
1. Birmingham – Centre City Tower
The Birmingham building has topped the list (BPM)
Belfast City Hospital Tower is not known for its great beauty (AFP via Getty Images)Situated just a stone's throw away from Birmingham New Street, the 21-storey building was completed in 1975 and consists of two structures - a 79-metre tower and the low-rise Podium that surrounds the Tower base.
It was originally meant to be turned into a theatre and nightclub, but its lofty aspirations never materialised, and instead it became an intensely grey and strikingly concrete office block.
One architectural blog recently noted: "The 21 storey building has developed a dirty appearance over time due to the undulating concrete surface allowing pollution to become trapped within the texture.
"This darkening has led to it becoming one of the dullest and most gloomy looking building on the skyline."
2. Glasgow - Glasgow College Building
The Glasgow building rises up against the grey skyline ominously (DAILY RECORD)Glasgow College Building has been awarded the silver medal in the ugly structure stakes.
"This multi-story building, unfortunately, dominates the skyline of Glasgow," ParrotPrint writes.
"To make it worse, a giant pink sign was added to the building, which adds an unwanted blinding pop of pink to the view of Glasgow."
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3. Northern Ireland – Belfast City Hospital
Belfast City Hospital has been awarded third place, having been heavily criticised by now King Charles during a visit to Northern Ireland.
Its distinctive orange-brown colour makes it stand out along the Belfast skyline in a way few seem happy with.
"The Belfast City Hospital is one of the ugliest buildings anywhere," travel blogger Shep recently wrote.
4. Edinburgh – Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood certainly splits opinion (PA)The Scottish Parliament, which has won plenty of awards for its architecture over the years, has come in fourth place.
It is a curious building which rises up against a stunning and imposing background of Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags.
"The grey, sharp-looking exterior contrasts with the beautiful wooden structure inside the Parliament which houses intense activity and debates," ParrotPrint judges.
5. Wales – County Hall, Flintshire
County Hall in Flintshire is one of the lesser known ugly buildings on the list (Ian Cooper/Daily Post Wales)The first Welsh entrant on the list is County Hall in Flintshire, which has earned the nickname the 'fake Legoland of North Wales'
The office complex is home to Flinshire’s County Council team and is a prime example of unattractive 1960s British architecture.
The Hall looks rather like a breezeblock with symmetrical windows settled in between large concrete surrounds.
6. London – Balfron Tower
Balfron Tower in east London is iconic, in its own way (AFP/Getty Images)Balfron Tower finds itself in sixth place, upsetting the aesthetic sensibilities of East Londoners with its striking 26 storeys.
The tower was a controversial architectural decision in the mid-1960s when it was built, and remains that way now.
"Certainly not known for its beauty, Balfron Tower stands out as one of the ugliest amongst the thousands of unique buildings in the capital city," ParrotPrint writes.
7. Nottingham – Victoria Centre
The Victoria Centre in Nottingham sends few head over heels (Nottingham Post)In Nottingham the Victoria Centre takes the next spot, in part due to the very unfortunate nature of its existence.
The well-known shopping centre in the heart of Nottingham city centre stands on the site of the previous railway station which was demolished in the late-1960s.
Some locals have not forgotten or forgiven the fact that all that remains of the striking old architecture is just the hotel and clock tower.
The rest of this old, charming construction has been replaced by the unattractive, concrete shopping centre.
8. Liverpool – Pier Head ferry terminal
The Liverpool Gerry Marsden Ferry Terminal is a whole lot of building (Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)Pier Head ferry terminal in Liverpool stands as a modern symbol of the revival of the famed Liverpool docks.
The building itself is deemed by many as an eyesore along the waterfront with its dramatic, incongruous shape.
9. Manchester – Toast Rack
The Toast Rack has been widely praised by architects (Manchester Evening News)In Manchester the Toast Rack has won ninth place despite being awarded Grade II listed status because of its distinctive and dramatic shape.
The concrete Toast Rack has curved poles on the roof, hence the name, which also symbolises the buildings once used as a catering college.
As much as the building has been fawned over by modern architect enthusiasts, others have condemned the structure for its particularly unusual style.
10. Devon – Central Church, Torquay
Central Church came in at tenth place (Devon Live)Central Church in Devon's Torquay rounds up the list.
"Despite the beautiful natural scenery which Devon is known for, Central Church dominates the town of Torquay with its outlandish and unappealing architecture," ParrotPrint writes.
"The church features a tall tower at the front with three crosses, supposedly symbolising the union of the three religious congregations.
"Central church is considered by many as the archetype of brutalist architecture from the 1970s."