List of tallest buildings in San Diego
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/11/San_Diego_skyline_18_%28cropped%29.jpg/325px-San_Diego_skyline_18_%28cropped%29.jpg)
San Diego, a major coastal city in Southern California, has over 200 high-rises mainly in the central business district of downtown San Diego.[1] In the city there are 42 buildings that stand taller than 300 feet (91 m). In the 1970s, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began restricting downtown building height to maximum of 500 feet (152 m) within a 2.3-mile (3.7 km) radius of San Diego International Airport's single runway.[2][3][a] The tallest building in the city is the 34-story One America Plaza, completed in 1991, which stands 500 feet (152 m) tall.[4]
History
[edit]The history of skyscrapers in San Diego began with the completion of the U.S. Grant Hotel in 1910. The building, at a height of 211 feet (64 m), remained the tallest building in San Diego until 1927, when the El Cortez Hotel at 310 feet (94 m) took its place. The skyscraper's height was surpassed in 1967 by the 530 B Street, which stood as the tallest building for two decades with its height of 388 feet (118 m). In 1989, with a height of 499 feet (152 m), Symphony Towers gained the title, before being passed two years later by One America Plaza. During the 1990s, the city was compared to a "handful of tools in a scarcely stocked toolbox" and a "mouth with a lot of missing teeth".[2] Development in the late 1990s and 2000s led to many new high-rises, mainly residential skyscrapers.[2] Many of these new residential buildings are pairs of twin towers.
I believe that our skyline is a collective composition of many buildings. We don't have to have one landmark like the Empire State Building or Petronas towers. I think the landmark is the entire Downtown.
— Garry Papers, manager of architecture and planning for the Center City Development Corporation[2]
As of October 2019[update], San Diego is ranked 98th in the world and 3rd in California with its 162 high-rises.[5] However, due to the FAA height restriction, none of San Diego's buildings are within the top 100 tallest buildings in the United States. As of October 2019[update], there are around 20 buildings that have been proposed, approved, or are currently undergoing construction which will join the tallest buildings in San Diego (over 300 feet).[6][7]
Cityscape
[edit]Tallest buildings
[edit]
This list ranks San Diego skyscrapers that stand at least 300 feet (91 m) tall, based on standard height measurement. This includes spires and architectural details but does not include antenna masts. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed.
Tallest under construction
[edit]There is one building under construction in San Diego that is planned to rise at least 300 feet (91 m) (as of July 2023).[82][83] Under construction buildings that have already been topped out are also included.
Name | Image | Height feet (ft) |
Floors | Year | Coordinates | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
8th & B | 503 | 40 | [84] | |||
800 Broadway | 434 | 40 | [85] | |||
Columbia & A | 448 | 39 | [86] | |||
Front & A | 445 | 34 | [87] | |||
The Lindley | 415 | 37 | [88] | |||
RaDD - Block 2B I | 307 | 17 | [89] | |||
West | 445 | 37 | [90] |
Timeline of tallest buildings
[edit]There have been five buildings that have held the title of tallest building in San Diego including the current tallest building, the One America Plaza.
Name | Image | Height ft (m) |
Floors | Years as tallest | Coordinates | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
El Cortez Hotel | ![]() |
310 feet (94 m) | 16 | 36 years (1927–1963) |
32°43′12″N 117°9′29″W / 32.72000°N 117.15806°W | [77][78] |
Executive Complex | ![]() |
350 feet (110 m) | 25 | 6 years (1963–1969) |
32°42′57″N 117°9′47″W / 32.71583°N 117.16306°W | [66][67] |
530 B Street | ![]() |
388 feet (118 m) | 27 | 20 years (1969–1989) |
32°43′2″N 117°9′35″W / 32.71722°N 117.15972°W | [43][44] |
Symphony Towers | ![]() |
499 feet (152 m) | 34 | 2 years (1989–1991) |
32°43′6″N 117°9′28″W / 32.71833°N 117.15778°W | [9][10] |
One America Plaza | ![]() |
500 feet (150 m) | 34 | 33 years (1991–present) |
32°42′57″N 117°10′7″W / 32.71583°N 117.16861°W | [4][8] |
Notes
[edit]- ^ Information on the Federal Aviation Administration's reasoning behind building height limitations can be read in their Advisory Circular, AC 150/5190-4A - A Model Zoning Ordinance to Limit Height of Objects Around Airports
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- General
- "San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 1, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- "San Diego". SkyscraperPage. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- Specific
- ^ "San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Bergman, Heather (June 27, 2005). "San Diego's skyline grows up: residential towers filling some of the missing 'tools' as office projects are nearing completion". San Diego Business Journal. TheFreeLibrary.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Airport Land Use Compatibility Plan for San Diego International Airport" (PDF). San Diego County Regional Airport Authority. October 4, 2004. pp. 51–52. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 30, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b c "One America Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Cities: High Rises". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "San Diego: Construction". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ "San Diego: Proposed". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
- ^ a b "One America Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "Symphony Towers". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "Symphony Towers". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Manchester Grand Hyatt". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "15th and Island Tower 1". skyscraperpage. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ^ "World Building Map | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ "Electra". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Electra". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Emerald Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Emerald Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Pinnacle Marina Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Pinnacle Marina Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Diega South Tower, San Diego | 1244297 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ "Diega South Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
- ^ "Harbor Club West". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Harbor Club West". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Harbor Club East". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Harbor Club East". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Grande South at Santa Fe Place". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Grande South at Santa Fe Place". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Grande North at Santa Fe Place". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Grande North at Santa Fe Place". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Vantage Pointe Condominium". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Vantage Pointe Condominium". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Bosa digging for 2nd tower". July 6, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ "Kettner & Ash, San Diego - SkyscraperPage.com". skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ "Savina San Diego - Welcome". January 20, 2017.
- ^ "Advanced Equities Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Broadway 655". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Pacific Highway @ Ash Condominium". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Bayside at the Embarcadero". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "San Diego Central Courthouse - The Skyscraper Center". skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
- ^ a b "Union Bank of California Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "Union Bank of California Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "World Building Map | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
- ^ "Hilton San Diego Bayfront". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Hilton San Diego Convention Center Hotel". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Mark". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Mark". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Sapphire Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Sapphire Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "First National Bank Center". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "First National Bank Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Omni San Diego Hotel Opens in San Diego's Newly Revitalized Gaslamp Quarter". Omni Hotels. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ^ "Omni San Diego Hotel and The Metropolitan". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ^ "Omni Hotel". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
- ^ "Meridian Condominiums". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Meridian Condominiums". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Marriott Marina South Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "San Diego Marriott Hotel &Marina Tower 1". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Marriott Marina North Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina Tower 2". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Merian". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
- ^ "Imperial Bank Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Imperial Bank Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "Executive Complex". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "Executive Complex". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "AT&T Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "101 West Broadway". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Comerica Bank Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Comerica Bank Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "U.S. Federal Courthouse". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ "U.S. Federal Courthouse". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
- ^ "Wells Fargo Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Wells Fargo Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "Sheraton Suites San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020.
- ^ a b "El Cortez Hotel". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ a b "El Cortez". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "225 Broadway". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "NBC Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
- ^ "The Rey". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
- ^ https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/826d9f690a354f6a9634d7559e5a4d98 [bare URL]
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20230726235455/https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/july_2023_final.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Project Details | Open DSD".
- ^ "Project Details | Open DSD".
- ^ "Accela Citizen Access".
- ^ "Accela Citizen Access".
- ^ "Project Details | Open DSD".
- ^ https://web.archive.org/web/20230726235455/https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/july_2023_final.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- ^ "Project Details | Open DSD".
External links
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- "San Diego" and skyscraper diagram at SkyscraperPage
- "San Diego" at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat