Rockford Courthouse Lands on ‘Ugliest Buildings’ List

Maybe it's just me, or that I never got to be the architect I always thought I could be, but I don't think I could tell the difference between an ugly building and a beautiful one.

I could point out one that is beyond heinous or gorgeous, but then again, anyone with a set of eyes could pull that off. To put it another way, I am having a hard time understanding, but perhaps a realtor would have more insight into what is truly beautiful and what is truly ugly when it comes to buildings.

Read More: Tour an Abandoned Rockford Radio Station

That may be why their list of the 100 Ugliest Public Buildings in America has got people talking. It appears that the list is targeting a specific type of building, namely, courthouses and judicial centers.

Courthouses Dominate the Ugliest Buildings List

According to the New Jersey Real Estate Network, more than half of the top 30 are either courthouses or judicial centers and "while they were designed to convey authority and efficiency, today they come off as cold and fortress-like" while adding "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."

Keep Reading: There's an Ugly Building Tour in Illinois, but Not in Rockford

Illinois Buildings Rank Among the Worst

Two buildings in Illinois made the list, one in Peoria and the other in Rockford. Located at 400 West State Street, the Winnebago County Circuit Court was dubbed the 56th ugliest in America.

Rockford Courthouse Called Fortress-Like

If more than half the ugliest buildings are courthouses, maybe the real punishment is just showing up.