Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse
Quick Facts
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GSF: 895,247
Number of floors: 12
Year Built: 1976
Named for a former U.S. District Judge.
Description: This class A building consists of two adjacent structures: a federal
office wing (6 stories), a U.S. Courts wing (5 stories), plus underground parking
and basement offices.
Major Tenants: U.S. District and Magistrate courts, U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement, United States Attorney’s, and U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services.
Overview
The Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse located at 880 Front
Street in San Diego, California houses various Federal agencies and the U.S. District
Court for the Southern District. The 895,247 gsf, two-building complex sits on a 5.4 acre
site three full city blocks. Commissioned by the General Services Administration and
constructed between 1972-1976, architects Richard George Wheeler and Frank L.
Hope Jr. designed the L-shaped complex. The Modernist complex exhibits Brutalist
influences in its geometric design.
Both buildings are characterized by their strong rectilinear geometry, heavy massing,
repetitive recessed windows, and rose-colored exposed aggregate wall finish.
According to the original drawings, the structural system is comprised of precast
concrete and steel. The concrete is finished with exposed aggregate chips that are set
in a pink mortar bed. The natural color of the aggregate (stone chips) includes various
shades of pink and brown. This exposed aggregate finish is a primary characterdefining feature of the building and it is found on all exterior wall surfaces as well as
interior columns and wall panels in primary interior areas such as the main lobbies and
corridors.
Building History
Architect: Richard Wheeler & Associates and Frank L. Hope & Associates
Structural Engineers: Frank L. Hope & Associates
Mechanical/Electrical Engineers: R.J.M. Associates
Civil Engineer: Rick Engineering
Landscape Architect: Sasaki Walker Associates, Inc.
General Contractor: Huber, Hunt & Nichols
The United States District Court was originally housed in the 1913 U.S. Post Office and
Custom House, now known as the Jacob Weinberger U.S. Courthouse, located at 325
West F Street in San Diego, California. When economic crisis followed the outbreak of
World War I, urban development in San Diego decelerated, halting plans to construct
additional civic buildings adjacent to the U.S. Courthouse. When prosperity was
renewed during the 1950s and 1960s, the Courthouse’s caseloads became the heaviest
in the nation. By 1965, open discussions began at the Federal level for a new
courthouse and Federal building complex due to increased caseloads as well as costs
for the government to house Federal offices within the area. Through this plan, Federal
agencies would be relocated under one building bringing together nearly 2,000 Federal
employees and nearly 40 Federal agencies. Publicized in 1968, the Federal public
works committees approved nearly $31 million toward the construction of the complex.
The funds set for the courthouse project signified the first time any money had been
appropriated to begin replacement of an existing Federal court facility since the original
Federal courthouse was constructed in 1913.
By 1970, a three-block downtown site was secured in a $3 million land exchange. The
land was part of a larger 12-block area slated for redevelopment. The complex would
replace several existing businesses, a bus depot, and two lodgings. With ownership of
the land settled, a joint venture between the San Diego-based architectural firms
Richard G. Wheeler & Associates and Frank L. Hope & Associates was commissioned
by GSA. The design included an L-shaped complex with two separate buildings joined
by a sky bridge, underground parking, and a landscaped plaza and park. The architects
worked closely with the Federal judges in the design of the courthouse including seven
enlarged courtrooms, a large ceremonial courtroom, and space for additional
courtrooms. In October 1972, the Federal Judicial Conference recommended a
standard-size, relatively small 28’x40’ courtrooms in 10 new Federal courthouses
including San Diego’s. U.S. District Court Chief Judge Edward Schwartz appealed to
Director Rowland F. Kirks of the Office of the U.S. Courts to exempt San Diego from
redesigning its courts to conform to the new regulations stating that the proposed
changes would not be “acceptable or workable for this district.” The appeal was
successful, allowing the Federal complex to retain its larger courtroom design.
After nearly two years of planning, construction began in November 1972. The contract
was awarded to general contractor Huber, Hunt, & Nichols with a bid set for $36.5
million. Construction was well underway in 1973 with a completion date set for May
1975. During the Cornerstone Ceremony on October 29, 1974, Mayor Pete Wilson
described the new Federal complex as the “anchor of the Horton Plaza redevelopment
program” for downtown and the L-shaped structure covering three city blocks would
spur vital redevelopment efforts and be a “stimulus to the renaissance of downtown San
Diego.” The cornerstone, along with a rectangular, copper time capsule filled with news
clippings of the progress of the Federal complex, the cover sheet of the contract,
ceremony program, current commemorative postage stamps, current local newspaper,
a dated Federal court calendar, two photos of the model of the building, and seeds from
trees growing near the complex were laid at the northeast corner of the building facing
Broadway.
By July 1975, the project was already two months overdue. Numerous factors led to
nearly a one year delay in construction stemming from a three-month strike during the
summer of 1974, the energy crisis, increase in labor costs, a courtroom arson fire, and
approximately 300 change orders including a separate $2.6 million contract for walls
and partitions. By May 1976, the construction for the approximately 810,000 SF
complex was complete and occupation by Federal tenants scheduled to begin in July.
The U.S. District Courthouse would move into the five-story courthouse first, which
contained eight finished courtrooms with provision for four more. The six story office
building would include tenants such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal
Revenue Service, the Secret Service, the Small Business Administration, and the
Immigration and Naturalization Service, to name a few.
In addition to the new complex, GSA commissioned two artworks. The “Excalibur,”
unveiled in August 1976 and designed by artist Beverly Stoll Pepper, was placed at the
E Street Mall between the two buildings. The steel fabrication was funded by a $90,000
GSA grant. The $65,000 transparent acrylic sculpture, “Axial Incidence,” designed by
Oakland artist Bruce Beasley was unveiled in the Federal Building lobby in September
17, 1976. Both were completed on time for the October 6, 1976 dedication.
At the building’s dedication, GSA Administrator, Jack Eckerd, read a message from
President Ford which noted that the building was being dedicated during the
bicentennial year: “I am pleased that the General Services Administration is taking the
initiative to provide Americans with a new generation of buildings, such as the building
which you are dedicating today. The innovations in design and construction are forward
thinking as has been the American tradition for 200 years. Particularly impressive is the
concern that has been given to assure that these new buildings will save energy
and enhance the environment. They are designed to meet the needs of a government
responsive to its people during this nation’s third century.” In 1994, the Judges of the
Southern District of California proposed, the Congress of the United States approved,
and President Bill Clinton signed legislation to rename the Federal complex the Edward
J. Schwartz United States Courthouse and Federal Building in honor of the U.S. District
Court Judge.
Judge Schwartz was credited with spearheading the campaign to build the complex and
watching it grow into one of the busiest Federal courthouses in California. To his
colleagues, he was known as the man who “built a court and a courthouse” during his
service as a chief judge and a senior judge for the U.S. District Court for Southern
District of California.
For nearly 40 years, several projects were completed to improve the functionality and
safety of the complex. Projects included mechanical/electrical upgrades, relocating
entry doors, and replacing the sky bridge. In 2009, construction began on the U.S.
Courthouse Annex building located west of the Schwartz Courthouse on a 2.5 acre site
that once housed the 1914 Hotel San Diego. When the 16-story tower was complete,
the original Front Street entrance to the Schwartz Courthouse was closed and a new
entrance at the west façade was open to provide smooth circulation between the two
buildings. The new west façade entrance opened to a new plaza that spanned between
the Annex and old courthouse.