$5B American Dream Is NJ's 'Ugliest Building:' Business Insider

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — The ugliest building in New Jersey costs $5 billion?

That's what one publication has labeled the American Dream Meadowlands project, one that ex-Gov. Chris Christie once called "the ugliest damn building in New Jersey and maybe America."

Business Insider released a reader-provided list of the ugliest buildings in each state. Every town across the United States likely has a tower, a government complex, or an office building that residents wish never went up, Business Insider says in its story.

East Rutherford's American Dream, with its white-and-blue checkered facade along the outside of part of the building, received the honor for New Jersey.

"I want to be at The American Dream's funeral," one reader told Business Insider.

Representatives from American Dream's developer, Triple Five have said that the checkered facade is being replaced and will not remain up at the site.

American Dream spokesperson Lincoln Palsgrove IV declined to comment.

Other "dishonorable" mentions on Business Insider's list included the GSB Building in Bala Cynwyd and the Wesley W. Posvar Hall at the University of Pittsburgh and the Watergate Complex in DC, which one reader called "Washington, DC's white whale."

American Dream is "on target" to open in March. It is one of the most ambitions retail and entertainment projects undertaken in the country.

Triple Five is the third developer in the project's 14-year history, dating back to the site's days when it was known as Xanadu. The family-owned company took over the project in 2011. Triple Five is promising something similar to two properties it already owns: The Mall of America in Minnesota and the West Edmonton Mall in Canada.

American Dream will have North America's largest indoor water park designed by DreamWorks, the company behind "Shrek," "Kung Fu Panda" and "How To Train Your Dragon."

There will also be KidZania, a miniature city run by kids with its own currency. Companies like Honda, Sony, Kellogg's, Coca-Cola and others have sponsored businesses and landmarks in the attraction.

An aquarium with a tropical ocean tank with tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel, a 22,000-square-foot arcade and bowling alley, and a 12-story indoor ski park with an 800-foot-long hill, and an ice-climbing wall, are just some unique entertainment options coming to American Dream.

Email daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Pictured: The American Dream Meadowlands Project in East Rutherford (Patch file photo)