The building in UK city ‘so ugly’ it’s been called the worst of the Millennium

Some buildings stand out for their beauty, while others miss the mark and divide opinion. 

The UK saw several high-profile projects built to celebrate the turn of the millennium, including the London Eye and the Millennium Bridge. 

However, not all of them have been praised, with one building recently being labelled the “ugliest of the millennium.”

That would be The Deep, an aquarium in Hull, which was singled out by Telegraph Travel as the worst of the UK’s millennium architecture. 

The publication said: “In a tough race, Hull’s The Deep building is probably the Millennium’s ugliest concoction. The Deep looks as if part of Darth Vader’s Star Destroyer has crashed to earth.”

Designed by architect Sir Terry Farrell, The Deep was intended to be a landmark structure for Hull. 

The £45.5 million project, funded by the National Lottery, was completed in 2002 and sits at the meeting point of the River Hull and the Humber Estuary. 

The building’s design is meant to resemble a geological formation rising from the ground, using steel, aluminium, concrete, and glass. 

Despite the controversy over its appearance, The Deep remains a big attraction in Hull. The aquarium is home to over 5,000 marine animals, including sharks, rays, turtles, and a colony of Gentoo penguins.

It features Europe’s deepest viewing tunnel and a glass lift that travels through a 10-metre-deep tank. Visitors can also watch daily feeding sessions and take part in interactive exhibits.

The Deep is not just an aquarium but also an education and conservation charity. It is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). 

The organisation plays a role in breeding programmes and marine research, contributing to global efforts to protect the world’s oceans.

Unlike some publicly funded attractions, The Deep does not receive ongoing government support and relies on ticket sales to cover its costs. Standard admission is £23 for adults, £17 for children, and free for under-3s.