List of tallest buildings in San Diego
Encyclopedia
San Diego has over 140 high-rises, mainly in the downtown district. In the city, there are 30 buildings that stand taller than 300 feet (91 m). In the 1970s, the Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) began restricting downtown building height to 500 feet (152 m) due to the proximity of the San Diego International Airport
. The tallest building in the city is the 34-story
One America Plaza
, completed in 1991, which stands 500 feet (152.4 m) tall.
The history of skyscrapers in San Diego began with the completion of the El Cortez Apartment Hotel
in 1927. The building, at a height of 310 feet (94 m), remained the tallest building in San Diego until 1963, when the Executive Complex
at 350 feet (107 m) took its place. The skyscraper's height was surpassed in 1969 by the Union Bank of California Building
, 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". Development in the late 1990s and 2000s led to many new high-rises, mainly residential skyscrapers.
, San Diego is ranked 82nd in the world with its 145 high-rises. However, due to the FAA height restriction, none of San Diego's buildings are within the top 100 tallest buildings in the United States. , there are over 25 buildings that have been proposed, approved, or are currently undergoing construction which will join the tallest buildings in San Diego (over 300 feet).
* Table entries without text indicate that information regarding building heights, floor counts, and/or dates of completion has not yet been released.
.
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
(FAA) began restricting downtown building height to 500 feet (152 m) due to the proximity of the San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport
San Diego International Airport , sometimes referred to as Lindbergh Field, is a public airport located northwest of the central business district of San Diego, California and from the Mexico – United States border at Tijuana, Mexico...
. The tallest building in the city is the 34-story
Storey
A storey or story is any level part of a building that could be used by people...
One America Plaza
One America Plaza
One America Plaza is the tallest building in San Diego, California and a prominent fixture in the waterfront district of the downtown San Diego skyline. The 34-story, , , obelisk-shaped tower was designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects and KMA Architecture...
, completed in 1991, which stands 500 feet (152.4 m) tall.
The history of skyscrapers in San Diego began with the completion of the El Cortez Apartment Hotel
El Cortez Apartment Hotel
El Cortez Apartment Hotel is a landmark hotel in San Diego, California. Built from 1926 to 1927, the El Cortez was the tallest building in San Diego when it opened. It sits atop a hill at the north end of Downtown San Diego, where it dominated the city skyline for many years. From its opening in...
in 1927. The building, at a height of 310 feet (94 m), remained the tallest building in San Diego until 1963, when the Executive Complex
Executive Complex
Executive Complex is a building in San Diego, California. Upon completion in 1963, the , building was the tallest in the city.-External links:*...
at 350 feet (107 m) took its place. The skyscraper's height was surpassed in 1969 by the Union Bank of California Building
Union Bank of California Building
The Union Bank of California Building is a 27 storey skyscraper in San Diego, California, completed in 1969. For twenty years, the tower stood as the tallest building in the city, until the completion of the Symphony Towers in 1989....
, 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
Symphony Towers
Symphony Towers is a high-rise building in San Diego, California, and is the city's second tallest skyscraper. The tallest in San Diego is One America Plaza of while Symphony Towers is . Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Symphony Towers is widely seen as one of Downtown's premier...
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". Development in the late 1990s and 2000s led to many new high-rises, mainly residential skyscrapers.
, San Diego is ranked 82nd in the world with its 145 high-rises. However, due to the FAA height restriction, none of San Diego's buildings are within the top 100 tallest buildings in the United States. , there are over 25 buildings that have been proposed, approved, or are currently undergoing construction which will join the tallest buildings in San Diego (over 300 feet).
Tallest buildings
This lists 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. An equal sign (=) following a rank indicates the same height between two or more buildings. The "Year" column indicates the year in which a building was completed.| Rank | Name | Image | Height feet (m) |
Floors | Year | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | One America Plaza One America Plaza One America Plaza is the tallest building in San Diego, California and a prominent fixture in the waterfront district of the downtown San Diego skyline. The 34-story, , , obelisk-shaped tower was designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects and KMA Architecture... |
500 (152) | 34 | 1991 | 32°42′57"N 117°10′7"W | Tallest building in the city; tallest building constructed in the 1990s | |
| 2 | Symphony Towers Symphony Towers Symphony Towers is a high-rise building in San Diego, California, and is the city's second tallest skyscraper. The tallest in San Diego is One America Plaza of while Symphony Towers is . Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Symphony Towers is widely seen as one of Downtown's premier... |
 |
499 (152) | 34 | 1989 | 32°43′6"N 117°9′28"W | Tallest building constructed in the 1980s |
| 3 | Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel is a high-rise building in San Diego composed of two towers. The towers are the third and seventh tallest buildings in the city. Developed but no longer owned by the controversial San Diego developer, Doug Manchester, the tower is the tallest building on the waterfront... |
 |
497 (151) | 40 | 1992 | 32°42′34"N 117°10′4"W | Tallest building on the waterfront on the West Coast |
| 4 | Electra Electra (San Diego) Electra is the tallest residential high rise building in San Diego, California, USA, with a height of 144.8 meters. It comprises 43 floors and 248 rooms, and was completed in 2008... |
 |
475 (145) | 43 | 2007 | 32°42′53"N 117°10′10"W | Tallest residential tower in San Diego |
| 5= | Emerald Plaza Emerald Plaza (San Diego) Emerald Plaza is the fifth tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. Tied with The Pinnacle Museum Tower, it has a height of 450 ft . Located in the Core district of Downtown San Diego, Emerald Plaza is a 30-story building with a clustered... |
 |
450 (137) | 30 | 1990 | 32°42′58"N 117°10′1"W | |
| 5= | Pinnacle Marina Tower The Pinnacle Museum Tower Pinnacle Marina Tower, formerly Pinnacle Museum Tower, is a residential high rise at 550 Front Street in San Diego, California completed in 2005. With a height of , 36 floors, 3 floor garage, and 182 units, it is the second tallest residential building in the city... |
450 (137) | 36 | 2005 | 32°42′39"N 117°9′54"W | ||
| 7 | Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel is a high-rise building in San Diego composed of two towers. The towers are the third and seventh tallest buildings in the city. Developed but no longer owned by the controversial San Diego developer, Doug Manchester, the tower is the tallest building on the waterfront... |
446 (136) | 34 | 2003 | 32°42′37"N 117°10′6"W | ||
| 8= | Harbor Club West Harbor Club Condominiums Harbor Club Condominiums is a high-rise residential building in San Diego, California composed of two towers of equal height. The 41-story towers have a height of 424 feet and are a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. Located in the Marina district of Downtown San Diego, Harbor Club was... |
 |
424 (129) | 41 | 1992 | 32°42′32"N 117°9′46"W | |
| 8= | Harbor Club East Harbor Club Condominiums Harbor Club Condominiums is a high-rise residential building in San Diego, California composed of two towers of equal height. The 41-story towers have a height of 424 feet and are a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. Located in the Marina district of Downtown San Diego, Harbor Club was... |
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424 (129) | 41 | 1992 | 32°42′31"N 117°9′44"W | |
| 10= | The Grande South at Santa Fe Place The Grande at Santa Fe Place The Grande at Santa Fe Place is a high-rise residential building in San Diego, California composed of two towers of equal height. The 39-story towers have a height of 420 feet and are a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline... |
 |
420 (128) | 39 | 2004 | 32°43′2"N 117°10′13"W | |
| 10= | The Grande North at Santa Fe Place The Grande at Santa Fe Place The Grande at Santa Fe Place is a high-rise residential building in San Diego, California composed of two towers of equal height. The 39-story towers have a height of 420 feet and are a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline... |
 |
420 (128) | 39 | 2005 | 32°43′5"N 117°10′13"W | |
| 10= | Vantage Pointe Condominium Vantage Pointe Condominium Vantage Pointe Condominium is a high-rise building in San Diego. Bounded by Eighth and Ninth Avenues, and A and B Streets, construction began in 2006 and ended in 2008. It is Downtown San Diego's largest condominium building... |
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420 (128) | 41 | 2009 | 32°43′6"N 117°9′21"W | |
| 13 | Advanced Equities Plaza Advanced Equities Plaza Advanced Equities Plaza is the 13th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. Tied with Pinnacle Marina Tower, it has a height of 412 ft... |
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412 (126) | 23 | 2005 | 32°42′55"N 117°10′7"W | |
| 14 | Bayside at the Embarcadero Bayside at the Embarcadero Bayside at the Embarcadero is the 14th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. It has a height of 395 ft and 232 units... |
395 (120) | 36 | 2009 | 32°43′9"N 117°10′14"W | ||
| 15 | Union Bank of California Building Union Bank of California Building The Union Bank of California Building is a 27 storey skyscraper in San Diego, California, completed in 1969. For twenty years, the tower stood as the tallest building in the city, until the completion of the Symphony Towers in 1989.... |
388 (118) | 27 | 1969 | 32°43′2"N 117°9′35"W | Tallest building constructed in the 1960s | |
| 16= | Omni San Diego Hotel Omni San Diego Hotel The Omni San Diego Hotel is a four-diamond high-rise luxury hotel and condominium tower in San Diego, California. It is owned and operated by Omni Hotels & Resorts.-Hotel:... |
 |
385 (117) | 34 | 2004 | 32°42′24"N 117°9′32"W | |
| 16= | Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hilton San Diego Bayfront is the 15th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. It has a height of 385 ft and contains 1,190 rooms... |
 |
385 (117) | 32 | 2008 | 32°42′11"N 117°9′31"W | |
| 18 | The Mark The Mark (building) The Mark is the 18th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. It has a height of 381 ft and 259 units. Located in the East Village district of Downtown San Diego, The Mark is a 33-story building that utilizes the postmodern architectural... |
381 (116) | 33 | 2007 | 32°42′40"N 117°9′25"W | ||
| 19 | Sapphire Tower Sapphire Tower (San Diego) Sapphire Tower is the 17th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. It has a height of 380 ft and contains 97 units... |
 |
380 (116) | 32 | 2008 | 32°43′6"N 117°10′10"W | |
| 20 | First National Bank Center First National Bank Center (San Diego, California) First National Bank Center is the 18th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. It has a height of 380 ft and is located in the Core district of Downtown San Diego... |
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379 (116) | 27 | 1982 | 32°43′5"N 117°10′1"W | |
| 21 | Meridian Condominiums Meridian Condominiums Meridian Condominiums is the 19th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. It has a height of 371 ft and contains 172 units... |
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371 (113) | 28 | 1985 | 32°42′47"N 117°9′54"W | |
| 22= | Marriott Hotel and Marina Tower I San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina is a hotel in San Diego, California composed of two towers of equal height. The two towers are the 20th tallest buildings in San Diego and are a prominent fixture in the city's skyline. The towers have a height of 361 ft and contain 1,362 rooms... |
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361 (110) | 24 | 1987 | 32°42′28"N 117°9′54"W | |
| 22= | Marriott Hotel and Marina Tower II San Diego Marriott Hotel and Marina San Diego Marriott Marquis and Marina is a hotel in San Diego, California composed of two towers of equal height. The two towers are the 20th tallest buildings in San Diego and are a prominent fixture in the city's skyline. The towers have a height of 361 ft and contain 1,362 rooms... |
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361 (110) | 24 | 1987 | 32°42′30"N 117°9′57"W | |
| 24 | Imperial Bank Tower Imperial Bank Tower Imperial Bank Tower is the 22nd tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. The 24-story skyscraper has a height of 355 ft and is located in the Core district of Downtown San Diego and was constructed in 1982.- External links :* at Emporis.com*... |
 |
355 (108) | 24 | 1982 | 32°43′2"N 117°9′28"W | |
| 25 | Executive Complex Executive Complex Executive Complex is a building in San Diego, California. Upon completion in 1963, the , building was the tallest in the city.-External links:*... |
350 (107) | 25 | 1963 | 32°42′57"N 117°9′47"W | ||
| 26 | AT&T Building AT&T Building (San Diego) AT&T Building is the 24th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. The 20-story skyscraper has a height of 355 ft and is located in the Horton district of Downtown San Diego. It was constructed in 1982 and was designed by architect Langdon... |
348 (106) | 20 | 1982 | 32°42′54"N 117°9′51"W | ||
| 27 | Comerica Bank Building Comerica Bank Building Comerica Bank Building is the 25th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. The 23-story skyscraper has a height of 339 ft and is located in the Core district of Downtown San Diego... |
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339 (103) | 23 | 1974 | 32°43′5"N 117°9′31"W | Tallest building constructed in the 1970s |
| 28 | Wells Fargo Plaza Wells Fargo Plaza (San Diego) Wells Fargo Plaza is the 26th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. The 23-story skyscraper has a height of 339 ft and is located in the Core district of Downtown San Diego... |
331 (101) | 23 | 1984 | 32°43′2"N 117°9′38"W | ||
| 29 | El Cortez Apartment Hotel El Cortez Apartment Hotel El Cortez Apartment Hotel is a landmark hotel in San Diego, California. Built from 1926 to 1927, the El Cortez was the tallest building in San Diego when it opened. It sits atop a hill at the north end of Downtown San Diego, where it dominated the city skyline for many years. From its opening in... |
310 (94) | 16 | 1927 | 32°43′12"N 117°9′29"W | Tallest building in San Diego until 1963 | |
| 30 | NBC Building NBC Building NBC Building is the 29th tallest building in San Diego, California and is a prominent fixture in San Diego's skyline. The 23-story skyscraper has a height of 339 ft and is located in the Horton Plaza district of Downtown San Diego and is home to the area NBC affiliate KNSD... |
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306 (93) | 22 | 1975 | 32°42′54"N 117°9′44"W | |
Under construction
This lists buildings that are under construction in San Diego and are planned to rise at least 300 feet (91 m). Under construction buildings that have already been topped out are also included.| Name | Image | Height ft (m) |
Floors | Year | Coordinates | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Federal Courthouse | 333 (101) | 16 | October 2012 | 32°42′54"N 117°9′57"W | Groundbreaking in May 2009; total construction cost of $368.7 million | |
Approved
This lists buildings that are approved in San Diego and are planned to rise at least 300 feet (91 m).| Name | Height feet (m) |
Floors | Year* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Library Tower | 478 (146) | 43 | ||
| Cosmopolitan Square | 478 (146) | 39 | ||
| 880 West Broadway 880 West Broadway 880 West Broadway is a building that is under construction located on the north-eastern corner of Broadway and Pacific Highway. Adjacent to Union Station, 880 West Broadway will be a prominent structure in the skyline of San Diego once completed.... |
470 (140) | 34 | 2012 | |
| One Santa Fe Place | 440 (134) | 26 | ||
| 15th and Island Tower 1 | 430 (131) | 39 | 2009 | |
| Pacific Highway at E | 425 (130) | 37 | 2009 | |
| 16th and G Leeding Edge | 410 (125) | 35 | 2013 | |
| Monaco | 400 (121) | 38 | ||
| La Jolla Commons Condominiums | 377 (115) | 30 | ||
| 15th and Island Tower 2 | 370 (113) | 31 | ||
| Two Santa Fe Place | 322 (98) | 20 | ||
| India and Beech | 312 (95) | 28 |
Proposed
This lists buildings that are proposed in San Diego and are planned to rise at least 300 feet (91 m).| Name | Height feet (m) |
Floors | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shapery Lotus Tower | 500 (152) | 40 | |
| Riviera Condominiums | 500 (152) | 38 | |
| Grigio | 500 (152) | 40 | |
| Kettner and Ash | 415 (126) | 35 | |
| Mondrian | 411 (125) | 42 | |
| 445 West Ash | 362 (110) | 32 | |
| Marriott City Tower | 330 (101) | 30 | |
| Pacific Pointe 2 | 315 (96) | 34 | |
| Pacific Pointe 1 | 315 (96) | 34 | |
| 16th and Broadway Tower | 307 (94) | 31 |
Timeline of tallest buildings
This lists buildings that once held the title of tallest building in San Diego as well as the current tallest building, One America PlazaOne America Plaza
One America Plaza is the tallest building in San Diego, California and a prominent fixture in the waterfront district of the downtown San Diego skyline. The 34-story, , , obelisk-shaped tower was designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects and KMA Architecture...
.
| Name | Image | Height ft (m) |
Floors | Years as tallest | Coordinates | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| El Cortez Apartment Hotel El Cortez Apartment Hotel El Cortez Apartment Hotel is a landmark hotel in San Diego, California. Built from 1926 to 1927, the El Cortez was the tallest building in San Diego when it opened. It sits atop a hill at the north end of Downtown San Diego, where it dominated the city skyline for many years. From its opening in... |
 |
310 (94) | 16 | 1927–1963 | 32°43′12"N 117°9′29"W | |
| Executive Complex Executive Complex Executive Complex is a building in San Diego, California. Upon completion in 1963, the , building was the tallest in the city.-External links:*... |
350 (107) | 25 | 1963–1969 | 32°42′57"N 117°9′47"W | ||
| Union Bank of California Building Union Bank of California Building The Union Bank of California Building is a 27 storey skyscraper in San Diego, California, completed in 1969. For twenty years, the tower stood as the tallest building in the city, until the completion of the Symphony Towers in 1989.... |
388 (118) | 27 | 1969–1989 | 32°43′2"N 117°9′35"W | ||
| Symphony Towers Symphony Towers Symphony Towers is a high-rise building in San Diego, California, and is the city's second tallest skyscraper. The tallest in San Diego is One America Plaza of while Symphony Towers is . Designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, Symphony Towers is widely seen as one of Downtown's premier... |
|
499 (152) | 34 | 1989–1991 | 32°43′6"N 117°9′28"W | |
| One America Plaza One America Plaza One America Plaza is the tallest building in San Diego, California and a prominent fixture in the waterfront district of the downtown San Diego skyline. The 34-story, , , obelisk-shaped tower was designed by Murphy/Jahn Architects and KMA Architecture... |
500 (152) | 34 | 1991–present | 32°42′57"N 117°10′7"W |
External links
- Diagram of San Diego skyscrapers on SkyscraperPage.com