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* [[Cahill Expressway]] in [[Sydney]] - regarded by many as a major planning mistake.<ref name=CE>{{cite news |first=Doug |last=Conway |title=$1bn to demolish city's great eyesore |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23433182-5006784,00.html |work=The Australian |publisher= |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Cahill Expressway]] in [[Sydney]] - regarded by many as a major planning mistake.<ref name=CE>{{cite news |first=Doug |last=Conway |title=$1bn to demolish city's great eyesore |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23433182-5006784,00.html |work=The Australian |publisher= |date= |accessdate=May 29, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Riverside Plaza]] in [[Minneapolis]] [[Minnesota]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2008/06/the_architecture_poll.shtml|title = The architecture poll|work = Minnesota Public Radio|last = Collins|first = Bob|date = June 13, 2000|accessdate = June 27, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Riverside Plaza]] in [[Minneapolis]] [[Minnesota]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://minnesota.publicradio.org/collections/special/columns/news_cut/archive/2008/06/the_architecture_poll.shtml|title = The architecture poll|work = Minnesota Public Radio|last = Collins|first = Bob|date = June 13, 2000|accessdate = June 27, 2009}}</ref>
* [[Embarcadero Freeway]] - Along [[The Embarcadero]] in San Francisco, this double-decker elevated freeway blocked The Embarcadero's view and shadowed the boulevard under it. When it was demolished in 1991, the long-abandoned [[Ferry Building]] and the boulevard under the freeway were restored.
* [[Embarcadero Freeway]] - Along [[The Embarcadero (San Francisco)|The Embarcadero]] in San Francisco, this double-decker elevated freeway blocked The Embarcadero's view and shadowed the boulevard under it. When it was demolished in 1991, the long-abandoned [[Ferry Building]] and the boulevard under the freeway were restored.
*[[The Hole In The Road]] in [[Sheffield]] [[England]], filled in in 1994.
*[[The Hole In The Road]] in [[Sheffield]] [[England]], filled in in 1994.


Revision as of 19:53, 10 September 2009

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 an unpleasant view. 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), pylons 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] However, a dilapidated fixer-upper can be a good investment because renovations provide a good rate of return.[5]

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.[6] High-profile international events such as the Olympic Games usually trigger such activity.[7]

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 controversial opinion which may change over time. Public opinion on eyesores typically surrounds landmarks.

Notable Examples of Divided Opinion

Federation Square has divided opinion in Melbourne.[8]
  • Eiffel Tower - Parisians wanted it pulled down as an eyesore but it is now the world's top landmark. [9]
  • Golden Gate Bridge was controversial ahead of its construction, it being said in The Wasp that it "would prove an eye-sore to those now living ... certainly mar if not utterly destroy the natural charm of the harbor famed throughout the world."[10][11] It is now considered a notable landmark.[12]
  • Millennium Dome - the ugliest building in the world in a poll of architects.[13]
  • Federation Square - despite being hailed an iconic landmark by many, it has equally been rejected by many notable Australians as an eyesore.[8] Ironically it was designed to replace a building regarded by many as Melbourne's greatest eyesore, the Gas and Fuel Towers[14], as part of a worldwide competition. Despite winning the competition, the design was plagued with criticism and the Western Shard (proposed as an optical device designed to frame and enlarge St Pauls Cathedral similarly to Saint Peter's Square) was requested to be shortened from winning plans by state premier Steve Bracks during its construction citing it being an eyesore. The Australian Financial Review later reported that Melburnians have learned to love the building, citing the record number of people using and visiting the landmark.[15]
  • Wind farms - thought to be the worst eyesore by readers of Country Life but liked by others. [16]
  • Boston's Government Center[citation needed]
  • One Rincon Hill - Situated just south of San Francisco's Financial District, this condominium high-rise has generated some mixed reviews.

Notable Examples of Undisputed Eyesores

Spencer Street Power Station. Regarded for many years as Melbourne's worst eyesore,it was finally demolished in 2008.[17]

See also

References

  1. ^ Nick Mathiason (Sunday June 25 2006), Homeowners get green light for 'eyesore' wind turbines, The Guardian {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  2. ^ Eyesore or gem: Gateshead car park, BBC, Monday, 18 June 2007 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Scott C. Scarfone, Professional Planting Design, p. 255
  4. ^ Rachel Koning Beals. "Dealing with an eyesore next door". Retrieved 2008-03-16.
  5. ^ Scott M. Frank, Andy H. Heller (2003). Buy Low, Rent Smart, Sell High: Real Estate Investing for the Long Run. p. 61. The bigger the eyesore, usually the more the profit.
  6. ^ British Start 'Operation Eyesore' Cleanup, Los Angeles Times, February 9, 1972
  7. ^ Craig R. Whitney (June 28, 1980, Saturday), Russians Paint and Fuss As Olympic Games Near Putting Best Face on Things A Gleaming Soviet Capital Emigrate or Face Arrest, New York Times {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  8. ^ a b Murdoch, Scott (200-10-06). "Costello slams Fed Square 'eyesore'". Herald Sun. The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Ltd. Retrieved 2009-05-29. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ Eiffel Tower still world's top landmark, The Sydney Morning Herald, February 15, 2008
  10. ^ Donald C. Jackson (1988), Great American Bridges and Dams, p. 278, ISBN 9780471143857
  11. ^ Yuriko Saito, Machines in the Ocean: The Aesthetics of Wind Farms, Contemporary Aesthetics
  12. ^ Noelle Salmi, Frommer's San Francisco with Kids, p. 199, ISBN 9780470080177 {{citation}}: Unknown parameter |yea= ignored (help)
  13. ^ Chris Gray (Tuesday, 16 July 2002), American architects vote the Millennium Dome 'the biggest eyesore in the world', The Independent {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ Shaw, Meaghan (2002-07-12). "Yarra tower plan 'a grab for cash'". The Age. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  15. ^ Substance trumps style in Federation Square. Australian Financial Review. Dec 10, 2006
  16. ^ What is the worst eyesore in the UK?, BBC, Friday, 21 November, 2003 {{citation}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ a b "On the trail of a man of mystery". The Age. Fairfax Digital. 2006-06-10. Retrieved May 29, 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ Robinson, Georgina (2008-01-24). "Brisbane's biggest eyesores and planning debacles". Brisbane Times. Fairfax Digital. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  19. ^ Conway, Doug. "$1bn to demolish city's great eyesore". The Australian. Retrieved May 29, 2009.
  20. ^ Collins, Bob (June 13, 2000). "The architecture poll". Minnesota Public Radio. Retrieved June 27, 2009.
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