Tall Buildings In San Diego – The Spire San Diego is a recent addition to the San Diego skyline. The twin towers stand out with their distinct red and yellow exterior and large height. Unfortunately, the San Diego public has deemed the Spire as the “ketchup and mustard building” due to the coloring. They house residents above downtown San Diego, posing a gorgeous, unblocked view of the Pacific. The block next door is a quaint little park, that covers the underlying fault line underneath by giving the residents a large space for walking their dogs.
The Hilton downtown is a distinct landmark within the city. The hotel houses one of the most important sites in San Diego, claiming a block away from the convention center, a block away from Petco Park (the Padres home field), and the Metro and Amtrak station. When ComiCon starts in San Diego, this is the piece of architecture that ties everything together and because of it’s towering height, the facades host stories and stories of movie posters and advertisements.
One Columbia Place stands proud and tall in the heart of downtown San Diego. The facades gleam in the sunsets as they are extremely reflective. The roofing steps up floor by floor in order to create depth in the skyscraper but also provide the necessary step-back code regulations from the city itself. The entrance further adds color awareness and excitement to the sheer building above.
San Diego Central Courthouse stands in the middle of downtown San Diego, on one of the most important streets in San Diego. From the harbor, you can catch a glimpse of this white magnificent building that stands uniquely from the rest of the skyline. The openness of the exterior and the translucence roofing allows for the large piece to feel less towering and more welcoming. The Courthouse stands as a statement piece for the city, creating a landmark for tourists to pass by.
Savina is a new residential complex in downtown San Diego that towers above the neighboring buildings. The new addition provides a shiny new façade that protrudes out and in from the main facade. This change in reflectiveness creates a distinct and interesting use of light and windows to change the overall appearance of the building from different angles and at different times of the day.
Emerald Plaza is one of San Diego’s skyline‘s historical favorites and most prominent pieces. These six large towers grow taller moving back from the ocean allowing views of the Pacific from all floors. The emerald green tops of the facades and roofs create the distinct name, as well as, the green halos that light up at night. These towers look something out of a sci-fi film, but San Diego loves them.
Manchester Grand Hyatt towers along the harbor drive of San Diego. These two large skyscrapers note the beginning of the famous Pacific Highway and the West most corner of downtown. The Hyatt towers are home to many rooftop events, bragging the world-known Rooftop Cinema Club, some rooftop basketball and tennis courts, and housing visiting MLB teams who are playing the Padres. These towers capture the Western sun perfectly.
One American Plaza is one of San Diego’s tallest skyscrapers and the most noticeable from the skyline. The tower hosts a pointed top that resembles a geode coming out of the earth into the sky. This tower boasts beautiful facades that balance the dimming light and golden hour through its tinted windows for office workers. The tower stands nearby Emerald Plaza which creates a node of amazing architecture within the city.
The Aqua Vista apartments on West Beech street in San Diego are a block of architecture that not only creates a distinct façade through colors, extrusions, and varying heights but also provide separation between components. The neighbors don’t have to ever see each other from balconies, so there is privacy from the people within the same complex, but to anyone walking on this street, it is free game.
The San Diego public library stands tall and unique in the midst of downtown. The dome façade slowly opens to the air, providing a great view of the downtown skyline. Although apparently, the wind that blows through these openings creates a haunting sound to neighbors.
Speaking of libraries, the Geisel Library on the University of California, San Diego campus is an architectural statement of the city. The industrial and brutalist components of the library grow from the ground into a large, well-used study space for students.
Spreckels Theater in comparison is also important to San Diego but stems its magnificence from the interior. With a large rounded theater with statement lights and a two-story stage that boasts some major theatergoers and performers.
The Q in San Diego is one of many brutalist architectural residential buildings in Little Italy. The concrete façade with large open windows boasts large natural light within the space. The ground-floor restaurants create a lively scene with some of San Diego’s best Italian food and Ramen in the resident’s footsteps. The north façade creates an interesting “gill-like” appearance as a way to get light into the apartments without going too close to the property line.
Along with the Q – Jonathan Segal boasts a line of concrete monsters that are popping up everywhere in San Diego and little Italy. Another exquisite example is The Continental – which is also in San Diego and creates an amazing grid of concrete and glass. The Fort also resides a bit more up north of Little Italy, and it houses one of the most amazing restaurants in San Diego. Mr. Robinson is the only concrete monster in North Park – as these are all around, try taking a little tour of all of them.
Lofty Coffee sits in a small yet magnificent architectural addition to Little Italy in San Diego. The large industrial concrete and steel boast the importance of the material within the city. The open courtyard is covered with translucent overhangs to create a most intimate space. Plus, next door is an interesting concrete castle that houses one of San Diego’s most famous architects.
The Salk institute is a masterpiece of architecture that stands tall among the cliffs of La Jolla and is a staple research facility in San Diego. The facility boasts some of the most astounding biological studies and practices, providing a safe space for researchers to work. The water in the middle of an open courtyard frames the sunset every day, with the staggering buildings framing the sun perfectly. As an architect, it is a must-see.
Don’t forget about the San Diego Airport; this international airport boasts of being one of the most sustainable airports in America. With large windows and modern art from both Mexican artists and American artists, the airport encompasses San Diego before even stepping into the city.
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https://1columbiaplace.com/
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http://www.emeraldplaza.org/contact
https://www.sandiego.com/listing/top-of-the-hyatt-nye-package/593/
https://www.loopnet.com/Listing/600-W-Broadway-San-Diego-CA/8416011/
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https://dosd.com/venues/spreckels-theatre
https://www.historictheatrephotos.com/Theatre/Spreckels-San-Diego.aspx
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https://www.jonathansegalarchitect.com/mr-robinson
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https://www.archdaily.com/970112/the-fort-apartments-jonathan-segal-architect
https://sandiego.eater.com/2016/9/14/12915490/lofty-coffee-co-all-day-eatery-little-italy-encinitas
https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/airport-authority-paving-way-for-new-terminal-at-san-diego-international-airport/509-1c3fa683-e660-401b-9604-859e16c95837
https://www.salk.edu/about/
