25 Buildings To Demolish Right Now!

From California Home And Design When proportion, balance, form and function come together in a delicate harmony, architecture is nothing short of an art form. But when, on occasion, those principles clash, the results can be eye-searingly awful. We asked 15 architects and our own staff to weigh-in on what buildings, given the chance, they'd take a wrecking ball to.

Boston City Hall in Boston, MA

The centerpiece of Boston's Government Center, this Kallmann, McKnnell & Knowles-designed building has long been a source of controversy. Throughout the years there have been numerous proposals to both preserve or demolish the building, but plans on both sides have been throttled. Lewis Butler of San Francisco's Butler Armsden Architects says the issue with Boston City Hall is more than skin deep. "Many people would love to see the Boston City Hall altogether removed, but I think the problem is more what was taken away from that part of Boston to construct the building, rather than the structure itself," he says. "I would like to restore the original neighborhoods in the area around the City Hall and give the new building a relationship with its old neighbors."

Barbie's Dream House in Malibu, CA

The first Barbie Dream House was introduced in 1961 and according to architect Hope Alexander, the plastic pink palace has been corrupting young minds ever since. “For those of a certain age this 'building' did more aesthetic mind-twisting than any other structure in America,” says Alexander. “Bring in the miniature wrecking ball.”

Portland Building in Portland, OR

Opening its door in 1982 to less than glowing reviews, the Portland Building designed by Michael Graves graced more than one of our architect’s demolition lists. Architect John Lum describes the building as such: “High kitsch, with meaningless gestures rendered in a cartoon-like manner. I agree with Pietro Belluschi who said, ‘It will put Portland on the map, architecturally, and it will never be repeated.’ And that’s a good thing.”

Meadowlands Xanadu in East Rutherford, NJ

If the governor of New Jersey is calling it bad (and the building is in New Jersey), then you know something has got to be wrong. Enter Meadowlands Xanadu (now called American Dream Meadowlands), a yet-to-be-completed retail and entertainment center in northern New Jersey. Ground broke on the project back in 2004, but when the economy tanked, progress halted and prominent politicians and community members voiced concern over the hideous facade. Just last year New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said, “It’s by far the ugliest damn building in New Jersey, and maybe America.” Ouch. Now, with new developers, a new name and some heavy incentives from the state, completion is slated for 2013. Can this eyesore be remedied before it's too late? Only time will tell.

EMP Museum in Seattle, Washington

Formerly known as The Experience Music Project, a museum celebrating popular music and science fiction, this building was designed by none other than the famed Frank Gehry. Don't get us wrong—we adore Hanover's Gehry Tower, swoon over his Dancing House and hail LA's Walt Disney Concert Hall. But as one of our editors put it, "Even the best make questionable choices." Okay, so maybe it shouldn't be demolished and, sure, as others have noted, the whole thing is fairly fitting for hosting the largest collection of Jimi Hendrix memorabilia, but, admit it, from this angle, it's pretty hideous.

The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, NY

This center, part of the controversial Atlantic Yards development in Brooklyn's Prospect Heights neighborhood, is indicative of what happens when profits and politics trumps good design. The building, built by Forest City Ratner, is a neighborhood killer. The developer used evictions and demolition of historic resources to make room for a disproportionately large development. Sure, upon completion, the Barclays Center is set to play host to the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, but Andre Rothblatt of Andre Rothblatt Architecture, who nominated the building as a building set for demolition, isn't sold.

Marriott Marquis Hotel in San Francisco, CA

Completed in 1989 the Marriot Marquis in San Francisco is often described as looking like a giant jukebox. It is one of is the most prominent towers along San Francisco's southern skyline, with plenty of open air to display the geometric chunks of concrete holding up the building's mirrored glass billows. Architect Daniel Ewald of Ewald Tajbaksh Architecture calls it ”a horribly cheap imitation of an art deco top constructed in reflective glass and grafted onto a generic tower.” The jukebox is feeble, tacky, and garish. And those are the last three words anyone wants associated with San Francisco.

Thomas Kinkade Homes in Vallejo, CA

In 2002, when a press release announced “The Village, a Thomas Kinkade community,” in Northern California's Vallejo, many journalists thought it was a joke, including California Home+Design's Senior Editor Mary Jo Bowling. The late “painter of light” (he died this year) was known for his romanticized depictions of the English countryside, complete with Tudor-style homes and thatched-roof cottages—not the architecture one associates with Northern California. Alas, it was true. The result: McMansions with a British accent.

The Ascent in Covington, KY

The Ascent's curving crescent form was designed to maximize views while the blue and white blotchy grid pattern theoretically reflects the sky and river, but Architect Neal Schwartz is less than impressed. "Just when I thought Daniel Libeskind's crass recycling of his single and dubious architectural idea had reached its apotheosis, I come across this 'gem,'" he says. Likewise, the interior of the building with its laser-like stripes of lights and mirrors on the ceiling and floor is just as lovely.

The J. Edgar Hoover Building in Washington D.C.

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"In a city known for its architectural beauts, this oppressive 1960s concrete super-block creates a hostile presence in the capitol’s streets," says California Home+Design blogger Dara Kerr. Since the late 1960s the building has played home to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The fortress-like building might be perfect for keeping national secrets, but that's about all it's good for.

I-95 Freeway in Philadelphia, PA

It may not be a building, but Andrew Dunbar of San Francisco's Interstice Architects says that the City of Brotherly Love could stand to ditch this monstrosity. The I-95 was built along Philadelphia’s waterfront when the car was a welcome guest in our cities. Sadly, Philadelphia is missing out on an opportunity that cities like San Francisco and New York have taken advantage of: making the waterfront a green zone for people. Currently, the only way to see Philadelphia’s waterfront is speeding past in a car.

Kaden Building in Louisville, KY

"Growing up, I loved this building because its distinctive patterns resembled my favorite lacy Barbie’s dress," says California Home+Design Senior Editor Mary Jo Bowling. But time marches on and tastes change, as they have since this building was constructed in 1966. Today, the exuberant pattern and awkward roofline feel as outdated as go-go boots with round toes and chunky heels. Louisville is emerging as an artistic city with a creative spirit. They can do better.

Mall of America in Bloomington, MN

With its sheer size and generic stores that you would find at any other strip mall in America, Neal Schwartz of Schwartz and Architecture claims that the Mall of America itself is the "poster child for quantity over quality." Says Schwartz on the billions spent on the Mall's creation and maintenance, "One has to wonder what the city itself might have been had these resources gone back to its downtown core." Look out, the Mall is getting even bigger (and likely uglier) with expansion plans coming early next year.

Trump Tower in New York, NY

Architect Hope Alexander doesn’t seem very impressed by The Donald, nor does she seem impressed with his taste in buildings. Sitting at the corner of NYC's Fifth Avenue and East 56th Street, the 68-story building is a symbol of 1980s excess. The building is known for its heavy-handed use of brass, mirrors and pink-hued Breccia Perniche marble. “Donald Trump can’t seem to drop this inane Obama 'birther' issue, so perhaps the Trump Tower should be dropped instead,” says Alexander. “Who would really miss it? You’re fired indeed.”

New Mint in San Francisco, CA

Opened in 1937, the New Mint in San Francisco isn’t exactly “new” and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better with age. The building no longer produces circulating coins for the US Mint, though it does still produce proof coins. Architect Tom McElroy calls it, “A waste of prime real estate that’s encased behind barbed wire. What's the point? What exactly is going on in there? Send in the wrecking ball!”

MetLife Building in New York, NY

You can't avoid it and you certainly can't forget it; the MetLife Building, originally known as the Pan Am Building, has faced severe criticism since its 1963 inception thanks to its poor proportions and massive footprint. Obstructing the views of some of the city's most famed landmarks, architect Lewis Butler suggests "removing it to restore the Park Avenue Corridor and expose Grand Central Station." No one wants to pass the MetLife on their morning commute. It's almost as if it was built solely to make New Yorkers cringe.

Daly City in San Mateo County, CA

"Sometimes one building just won't cut it. There are entire communities here that should be re-envisioned," says Architect Lewis Butler of Northern California's Daly City. The city annexed the famed Westlake neighborhood (known for its Googie-style architecture) in 1950s, which may prove reason for debate. Still, says Butler, "Daly City is an early example of a planned, large-tract suburb and terrible development."

The Ziggurat Building in West Sacramento, CA

Sacramento never gets much respect in California—even its nickname, “Sac-Town,” is rather unflattering. The Ziggurat Building located in West Sacramento isn’t that flattering to the eye either. Architect Daniel Ewald of Ewald Tajbaksh Architecture definitely doesn’t hold it in high regard: “A ten-story office building in Sacramento? That says it all.”

AT&T Central Office in Houston, TX

As if going into work isn't depressing enough, imagine heading to this nearly windowless monstrosity. Admittedly, Houston's got its fair share of not-so-lovely buildings (just check out the list curated by the local paper), but this one takes the cake thanks to its foreboding facade. Couldn't they have taken the time to completely remove the former Southwestern Bell logo?

8500 Melrose Ave. in Los Angeles, CA

There are several buildings that run neck and neck to win the title of LA's ugliest building (popular real estate blog Curbed Los Angeles has even hosted competitions to determine which building is the most awful). Lewis Butler says that the every LA highrise—with the exception of John Portman's Bonaventure building—should be torn town. But, according to Cathy Johnson and Rebecca Rudolph of Design, Bitches, the clear winner is the black-and-white, pink-trimmed mini-mall on the corner of Melrose and La Cienega. "Maybe we would let the building stand as a monument to ugliness," says Rudolph.

Morris A. Mechanic Theater in Baltimore, MD

Formerly Baltimore's premier performing arts theater, the now vacant Morris A. Mechanic Theatre has made plenty of "ugliest buildings ever" lists. Opened in January 1967, the building has long been a sore spot for Charm City residents. In May 2012 a developer filed a petition to demolish the building and replace it with a new development. All we can say is good riddance.

Oakley Headquarters in Orange County, CA

Let's be real: Unless you're a serious athlete or, um, Guy Fieri, Oakley sunglasses haven't been cool since 1997. And their Star Wars-esque headquarters, built as "a monument to the machine age, a building designed to honor invention," hasn't been cool since, well, ever.

Phillip Burton Federal Building in San Francisco, CA

This big black box was once described by architectural critic Alan Tempko as “a monument to bad government.” Architect Andre Rothblatt agrees, saying, "I describe the building design as an imposing and bland monolith that is the picture of bogged-down bureaucracy."

Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego in La Jolla, CA

For a building that is named after Dr. Seuss (real name: Theodor Seuss Geisel), one would think this building would be more fun than futuristic. Again, maybe we wouldn't completely tear this one down, but, really? If a building is so funky looking that it inspires full-blown urban legends that it appeared as a spaceship in Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Star Trek and Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, maybe it's time to reconsider your design choices.

Denver Public Library in Denver, CO

While we appreciate architect Michael Graves' attempt to break out of the box, this postmodern project is a slight catastrophy. Funky can be good, but this is just fugly.