I doubt very much that you’ve ever seen a building quite this unattractive. Yes, this one has been noted as one of the “World’s 10 ugliest buildings” according to Digital Journal.
There’s a marker. It reads, “The Markel Corporation commissioned architect Haig Jamgochian, a Richmond native, to design their headquarters in 1962. The aluminum clad conical structure was inspired by a baked potato wrapped in foil served to Jamgochian while attending an American Institute of Architect’s dinner. Each floor consists of a single piece of 555-foot aluminum. They are the longest unbroken pieces of aluminum ever used as siding material. Jamgochian personally sledge-hammered crinkles into the 3rd floor siding before contractors finished the job on the other two floors in 1965. The building is a unique architectural example of its era.”
Literally inspired by a baked potato. And the siding is a single piece of unbroken (though hand-dented) aluminum that are each 555 feet long. Which by the way, is the same height as the Washington Monument.
Please stop by and check it out. Thank you, https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/the-markel-building-richmond-virginia
[Review 11786 overall, 1568 of 2019.]
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Link: Markel Building, Richmond, VA (9/9/19)
