Eyesore

For other uses, see Eyesore (disambiguation).
Bad Elster, Saxony, Germany in April 2008. Wettiner Hof Hotel is awaiting renovation- locally it is known as the Schandfleck- (the Eyesore).

An eyesore is a something that is largely considered to look unpleasant or ugly. Its technical usage is as an alternative perspective to the notion of landmark. Common examples include dilapidated buildings, graffiti, litter, polluted areas, and excessive commercial signage such as billboards. Some eyesores may be a matter of opinion such as controversial modern architecture (see also spite house), transmission towers or wind turbines.[1][2] Natural eyesores include feces, mud and weeds.[3]

Effect on property values

In the USA, the National Association of Realtors says an eyesore can shave about 10% off the value of a nearby listing.[4]

Remediation

Clean-up programmes to improve or remove eyesores are often started by local bodies or even national governments. These are frequently called Operation Eyesore.[5] High-profile international events such as the Olympic Games usually trigger such activity.[6]

Others contend that it is best to nip such problems in the bud by addressing them while they are small, since signs of neglect encourage anti-social behaviour such as vandalism and fly-tipping. This strategy is known as fixing broken windows.

Controversy

Whether some constructions are eyesores is a matter of opinion which may change over time. Landmarks are often called eyesores.

Examples of divided opinion

Federation Square has divided opinion in Melbourne.[7]

Structures widely regarded as eyesores

Spencer Street Power Station. Regarded for many years as Melbourne's worst eyesore, it was demolished in 2008.[19]

See also

References

  1. Nick Mathiason (June 25, 2006), Homeowners get green light for 'eyesore' wind turbines, London: The Guardian
  2. Site, Building (18 June 2007), Eyesore or gem: Gateshead car park, BBC
  3. Scott C. Scarfone (2007), Professional Planting Design, John Wiley and Sons, p. 255, ISBN 978-0-471-76139-6
  4. Rachel Koning Beals. "Dealing with an eyesore next door". Archived from the original on 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  5. British Start 'Operation Eyesore' Cleanup, Los Angeles Times, February 9, 1972
  6. Craig R. Whitney (June 28, 1980), Russians Paint and Fuss As Olympic Games Near Putting Best Face on Things A Gleaming Soviet Capital Emigrate or Face Arrest, New York Times
  7. 1 2 Murdoch, Scott (200-10-06). "Costello slams Fed Square 'eyesore'". Herald Sun (The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Ltd). Retrieved 2009-05-29. Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. Eiffel Tower still world's top landmark, The Sydney Morning Herald, February 15, 2008
  9. Donald C. Jackson (1988), Great American Bridges and Dams, John Wiley and Sons, p. 278, ISBN 978-0-471-14385-7
  10. Yuriko Saito, Machines in the Ocean: The Aesthetics of Wind Farms, Contemporary Aesthetics
  11. Noelle Salmi (2007), Frommer's San Francisco with Kids, Frommer's, p. 199, ISBN 978-0-470-08017-7
  12. Chris Gray (16 July 2002), American architects vote the Millennium Dome 'the biggest eyesore in the world', London: The Independent
  13. What is the worst eyesore in the UK?, BBC, 21 November 2003
  14. Michael Corcoran (November 16, 2008), "Boston’s biggest eyesore: City Hall named ‘World’s Ugliest Building’", Blast, archived from the original on March 3, 2012, retrieved October 12, 2009
  15. "The World’s Top 10 Ugliest Buildings", Virtual Tourist, retrieved October 12, 2009
  16. The Lloyd's Building, retrieved January 25, 2010
  17. Robinson, Georgina (2008-01-24). "Brisbane's biggest eyesores and planning debacles". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Digital). Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  18. "R.I.P. Britain's Ugliest Building". BBC News. March 24, 2004.
  19. 1 2 Nick McKenzie and Cameron Houston (2006-06-10). "On the trail of a man of mystery". The Age (Melbourne: Fairfax Digital). Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  20. Conway, Doug. "$1bn to demolish city's great eyesore". The Australian. Archived from the original on August 21, 2008. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  21. Collins, Bob (June 13, 2000). "The architecture poll". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
  22. "Die Before You Visit These Top 10 World’s Ugliest Structures". December 9, 2009. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  23. "Top 10 ugliest buildings in the world". Retrieved July 2, 2012.
  24. http://sverigesradio.se/sida/artikel.aspx?programid=740&artikel=2435435[]
  25. "The ugliest building in New Jersey will get a new exterior, says Gov. Chris Christie". NYPOST.com.
  26. "New Jersey Governor Christie promises facelift to NJ's 'ugliest' building". abclocal.go.com.
  27. http://www.businessinsider.com/why-half-of-brooklyn-hates-the-new-barclays-center-stadium-2012-8
  28. http://www.clickorlando.com/news/still-no-completion-date-for-i4-eyesore/22839816

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Saturday, April 09, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.