2 Illinois Public Buildings Voted Among the Ugliest in America.

• Poll of 3,012 to establish the ugliest public buildings in America.
• IL’s Peoria County Courthouse (#37) + Winnebago County Circuit Court (#56) included.
• Infographic showing the 100 ugliest public buildings in the country.

San Francisco’s City Hall. Denver’s Union Station. The Santa Fe County Courthouse. America has its fair share of stunning civic buildings – spaces that don’t just serve the public but inspire it. But not every government structure is so lucky.

Across the country, some public buildings have become famous not for their beauty, but for their… let’s call it utilitarian charm. Often built with function top of mind and budgets stretched thin, these structures do the job – but sometimes at the expense of aesthetic appeal.

To find out which buildings left the strongest impressions (for better or worse), New Jersey Real Estate Network surveyed 3,012 people, asking them to weigh in on everything from state capitols to post offices, court buildings, and city halls.  The results highlight a surprising variety of concrete-heavy, boxy, and occasionally brutalist designs that haven’t aged as gracefully as their architects may have hoped.

The top 10 were as follows:

#1. City of Flint Municipal Center, Flint, Michigan
This municipal hub is all about business, with a straightforward layout and an exterior that leans heavily into concrete and brick. It gets high marks for durability, but stylistically, it’s stuck in an era where civic buildings weren’t expected to be welcoming – just solid.

#2. Fresno County Superior Court, Fresno, California
Function rules the day at Fresno’s Superior Court. The structure favors symmetry and concrete over detail or warmth, with a design that feels more focused on managing foot traffic than leaving an impression. Practical? Definitely. Visually engaging? Not so much.

#3. Buffalo City Court, Buffalo, New York
Buffalo City Court rises with purpose, framed in concrete and defined by its grid-like facade. It makes an impression – though not necessarily a friendly one. While undeniably functional, its style leans more institutional than inviting, leaving little room for architectural charm.

#4. Jackson County Courts Building, Pascagoula, Mississippi
This courthouse keeps a low profile, with a boxy form and minimal exterior detail that reflect its focus on efficiency. It does its job without fuss, though the design leans more procedural than civic pride. It’s a building that blends into the background – quietly, and perhaps a little too well.

#5. Philadelphia Municipal Services Building, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
With its large scale and stark lines, this building makes a bold statement – though not always a flattering one. Often described as monolithic, it commands attention more through size than design charm. It’s built to handle the city’s business, not to win hearts.

#6. Akron Municipal Court, Akron, Ohio
This courthouse keeps things neat and utilitarian, with a facade that emphasizes structure over statement. It blends cleanly into its surroundings but offers little to distinguish it architecturally. It’s efficient, orderly – and unlikely to show up on a postcard.

#7. Atlantic City Municipal Court, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Set in a city known for bold visuals, the Atlantic City Municipal Court stands in contrast – subdued and serious, with a compact design that doesn’t compete for attention. It’s focused and unflashy, a necessary presence that knows its role.

#8. Bentonville Public Works Maintenance Facility, Bentonville, Arkansas
To be fair, public works buildings aren’t known for turning heads – and this one keeps that tradition alive. Its industrial shell and purely practical layout say “utility first.” That’s fine, of course, but there’s nothing here that says “welcome,” just a clear message: authorized personnel only.

#9. Tuscaloosa County Public Works Building, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
This public works facility embraces a fully functional approach, with a simple rectangular shape and neutral tones. It fits neatly into the civic landscape and stays focused on its purpose – even if its exterior doesn’t aim to stand out.

#10. El Paso County Court Administration Building, El Paso, Texas
This courthouse keeps a serious tone, with a muted exterior and solid, squared-off structure that leaves little room for embellishment. It’s orderly and purposeful – a space that’s clearly designed for process, not pageantry. While it functions well, its architecture stays firmly on the quiet side.

Two Illinois public buildings were voted among the ugliest in the country:

#37. Peoria County Courthouse, Peoria
Towering and symmetrical, the Peoria County Courthouse makes an impression – though perhaps not a warm one. Its imposing scale and blocky profile give it an air of formality that’s hard to miss. It’s a building that gets straight to the point, architecturally and otherwise.

#56. Winnebago County Circuit Court, Winnebago
This courthouse has a solid, no-nonsense presence, with clean lines and a serious exterior that fits its role. Still, there’s not much visual relief – the architecture favors order over warmth. It’s built to convey authority, though a few softer design touches wouldn’t go amiss.

Infographic showing the 100 ugliest public buildings in America

“Public buildings reflect our shared spaces, values, and history – even when the design choices don’t age well,” says a spokesperson from New Jersey Real Estate Network. “The good news is, even the most unloved buildings spark conversation – and that’s where civic pride begins.”