Drive through any Ladue neighborhood and chances are you will spot a McMansion in its natural habitat. Named after the infamous fast food chain, these widespread suburban homes embody the quality of a Big Mac: mass-produced and cheaply made, yet extremely popular.

First and foremost, McMansions are most recognizable for their sheer enormity. Averaging 3,500-7,000 square feet, these houses feature a bizarre mix of clashing architectural styles, ornate details that serve no functional purpose and an uncomfortable misuse of proportion. According to Kate Wagner, an architectural critic and author of the viral blog “McMansion Hell,” these houses “lack the basic design principles of balance, proportion and rhythm.” Rather than creating a coherent, balanced structure, builders simply check off every box that adds to the home’s selling value. That’s why many homes end up featuring hollow columns, disproportionate pediments and peculiar multi-level rooflines. 

In addition to being ugly, these homes are built by companies that put in minimal construction effort while trying to pass them off as luxury. McMansions are typically constructed using the cheapest, lowest quality materials on the market and are built quickly and haphazardly. Despite their attempt to look expensive and lavish, it’s not rare to see the front of a house clad with expensive brick or stucco while cheap vinyl covers the sides and back. Due to these poor construction decisions, many McMansions are built to nearly disposable design standards and require substantial repair before they even hit the 20 year mark.

Over time, McMansions have become a grand display of wealth and affluence for the upper-middle class. In fact, the desire to show off an owner’s social status seems to have overridden every other architectural principle. Unlike real mansions that feature tasteful design and timeless materials, it won’t be long until these McMansions crumble to the ground, as they very well should.