New Photos of Obama Presidential Library Get HARSH Criticism — “Hideous…Looks Like a Prison”

New images of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago have sparked intense backlash. Critics have labeled the structure “hideous,” arguing it resembles a stark, foreboding prison rather than the warm, communal space it was intended to be. The building’s imposing form and cold granite exterior have left many saying it lacks any sense of civic character or welcome.

Centered in Jackson Park—a historic public park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted and recognized for its environmental and cultural importance—this project has long been controversial. Opponents argue that diverting public green space to construct a massive, fortress-like building undermines both environmental preservation and community heritage.

Concerns extend beyond aesthetics and land use to financial disruption. Originally estimated at $350–500 million, the project’s cost has now ballooned to over $830 million and may exceed $1 billion. Delays driven by bureaucratic and legal hurdles have further fueled skepticism about the project’s feasibility and fiscal oversight.

Some see the building as a symbol—an outsized monument disconnected from its intended purpose. One critic likened it to a “monument to political elitism,” suggesting it reflects hubris more than community enrichment.

Voices from online communities have added their own colorful takes. One user on Reddit dubbed the structure the “Obamalisk,” a portmanteau of “Obama” and “obelisk.” Others described it as looking like an elaborate coffin or a brutalist bunker, invoking imagery of authoritarian architecture.

Supporters of the project, however, emphasize its educational and inspirational goals. The Obama Foundation has touted the center as a transformative, inclusive space—a cultural hub for Chicago’s South Side. Still, the widening gap between that vision and public reception underscores a growing divide between the center’s aspirations and its architectural reality.