San Diego Skyline in 2018. The city's tallest building, the pyramid-topped One America Plaza, is in center-right.

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][lower-alpha 1] 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

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 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".[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, 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, 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

See caption
San Diego skyline from Coronado Island in 2021
See caption
Downtown San Diego skyline in 2009

Tallest buildings


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 buildings in San Diego
Rank Name Image Height
ft (m)		 Floors Year Coordinates Notes Ref.
1 One America Plaza One America Plaza 500 (152) 34 1991 32°42′57″N 117°10′7″W / 32.71583°N 117.16861°W / 32.71583; -117.16861 Tallest building in the city; tallest building constructed in the 1990s; tallest building in California outside of Los Angeles and San Francisco [4][8]
2 Symphony Towers Symphony Towers 499 (152) 34 1989 32°43′6″N 117°9′28″W / 32.71833°N 117.15778°W / 32.71833; -117.15778 Tallest building constructed in the 1980s [9][10]
3 Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel 497 (151) 40 1992 32°42′34″N 117°10′4″W / 32.70944°N 117.16778°W / 32.70944; -117.16778 Tallest building on the waterfront on the West Coast [11][12]
4 Pinnacle on the Park I Pinnacle on the Park I 479 (146) 45 2015 32°42′35″N 117°09′03″W / 32.70972°N 117.15083°W / 32.70972; -117.15083 Tallest residential tower in San Diego together with the Pinnacle II tower [13]
Pinnacle on the Park II Pinnacle on the Park II 479 (146) 45 2019 32°42′36.7″N 117°09′02.9″W / 32.710194°N 117.150806°W / 32.710194; -117.150806 Tallest residential tower in San Diego together with the Pinnacle I tower [14]
6 Electra Electra 475 (145) 43 2007 32°42′53″N 117°10′10″W / 32.71472°N 117.16944°W / 32.71472; -117.16944 [15][16]
7 Pacific Gate Pacific Gate 450 (137) 41 2017 32°47′54″N 117°9′44″W / 32.79833°N 117.16222°W / 32.79833; -117.16222 [70]
Emerald Plaza Emerald Plaza 450 (137) 30 1990 32°42′58″N 117°10′1″W / 32.71611°N 117.16694°W / 32.71611; -117.16694 [17][18]
Pinnacle Marina Tower Pinnacle Marina Tower 450 (137) 36 2005 32°42′39″N 117°9′54″W / 32.71083°N 117.16500°W / 32.71083; -117.16500 [19][20]
10 Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport 446 (136) 34 2003 32°42′37″N 117°10′6″W / 32.71028°N 117.16833°W / 32.71028; -117.16833 [21][22]
11 Diega South Tower 440 (134) 41 2021 32°42′57.2″N 117°09′28.5″W / 32.715889°N 117.157917°W / 32.715889; -117.157917 [23][24]
12 Harbor Club West Harbor Club West 424 (129) 41 1992 32°42′32″N 117°9′46″W / 32.70889°N 117.16278°W / 32.70889; -117.16278 [25][26]
Harbor Club East Harbor Club East 424 (129) 41 1992 32°42′31″N 117°9′44″W / 32.70861°N 117.16222°W / 32.70861; -117.16222 [27][28]
14 The Grande South at Santa Fe Place The Grande South at Santa Fe Place 420 (128) 39 2004 32°43′2″N 117°10′13″W / 32.71722°N 117.17028°W / 32.71722; -117.17028 [29][30]
The Grande North at Santa Fe Place The Grande North at Santa Fe Place 420 (128) 39 2005 32°43′5″N 117°10′13″W / 32.71806°N 117.17028°W / 32.71806; -117.17028 [31][32]
Vantage Pointe Condominium Vantage Pointe Condominium 420 (128) 41 2009 32°43′6″N 117°9′21″W / 32.71833°N 117.15583°W / 32.71833; -117.15583 [33][34]
17 Savina San Diego condominiums Savina by Bosa 414 (126) 36 2018 32°43′10″N 117°10′10″W / 32.71944°N 117.16944°W / 32.71944; -117.16944 [35][36][37]
18 First Allied Plaza First Allied Plaza 412 (126) 23 2005 32°42′55″N 117°10′7″W / 32.71528°N 117.16861°W / 32.71528; -117.16861 [38][39]
19 Simone Little Italy 408 (123) 36 2023
20 Bayside at the Embarcadero Bayside at the Embarcadero 395 (120) 36 2009 32°43′9″N 117°10′14″W / 32.71917°N 117.17056°W / 32.71917; -117.17056 [40][41]
21 San Diego Central Courthouse San Diego Central Courthouse 389 (119) 23 2017 32°43′2″N 117°9′58″W / 32.71722°N 117.16611°W / 32.71722; -117.16611 [42]
22 Union Bank of California Building Union Bank of California Building 388 (118) 27 1969 32°43′2″N 117°9′35″W / 32.71722°N 117.15972°W / 32.71722; -117.15972 Tallest building constructed in the 1960s [43][44]
23 Park 12 386 (118) 36 2018 32°42′23.3″N 117°9′18.4″W / 32.706472°N 117.155111°W / 32.706472; -117.155111 [45]
24 Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hilton San Diego Bayfront 385 (117) 32 2008 32°42′11″N 117°9′31″W / 32.70306°N 117.15861°W / 32.70306; -117.15861 [46][47]
25 The Mark The Mark 381 (116) 33 2007 32°42′40″N 117°9′25″W / 32.71111°N 117.15694°W / 32.71111; -117.15694 [48][49]
26 Sapphire Tower Sapphire Tower 380 (116) 32 2008 32°43′6″N 117°10′10″W / 32.71833°N 117.16944°W / 32.71833; -117.16944 [50][51]
27 One Columbia Place One Columbia Place 379 (116) 27 1982 32°43′5″N 117°10′1″W / 32.71806°N 117.16694°W / 32.71806; -117.16694 [52][53]
28 Omni San Diego Hotel Omni San Diego Hotel 375 (114) 34 2004 32°42′24″N 117°9′32″W / 32.70667°N 117.15889°W / 32.70667; -117.15889 [54][55][56]
29 Meridian Condominiums Meridian Condominiums 371 (113) 28 1985 32°42′47″N 117°9′54″W / 32.71306°N 117.16500°W / 32.71306; -117.16500 [57][58]
30 Marriott Hotel and Marina Tower I Marriott Hotel and Marina Tower I 361 (110) 24 1987 32°42′28″N 117°9′54″W / 32.70778°N 117.16500°W / 32.70778; -117.16500 [59][60]
Marriott Hotel and Marina Tower II Marriott Hotel and Marina Tower II 361 (110) 24 1987 32°42′30″N 117°9′57″W / 32.70833°N 117.16583°W / 32.70833; -117.16583 [61][62]
31 The Merian 360 (110) 34 2020 32°42′43.7″N 117°9′15.9″W / 32.712139°N 117.154417°W / 32.712139; -117.154417 [63]
32 Imperial Bank Tower Imperial Bank Tower 355 (108) 24 1982 32°43′2″N 117°9′28″W / 32.71722°N 117.15778°W / 32.71722; -117.15778 [64][65]
33 Executive Complex Executive Complex 350 (107) 25 1963 32°42′57″N 117°9′47″W / 32.71583°N 117.16306°W / 32.71583; -117.16306 [66][67]
34 AT&T Building AT&T Building 348 (106) 20 1982 32°42′54″N 117°9′51″W / 32.71500°N 117.16417°W / 32.71500; -117.16417 [68][69]
35 San Diego Union Tribune Building San Diego Union Tribune Building 339 (103) 23 1974 32°43′5″N 117°9′31″W / 32.71806°N 117.15861°W / 32.71806; -117.15861 Tallest building constructed in the 1970s [70][71]
36 James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse 333 (101) 16 2012 32°42′54″N 117°9′57″W / 32.71500°N 117.16583°W / 32.71500; -117.16583 [72][73]
37 Wells Fargo Plaza Wells Fargo Plaza 331 (101) 23 1984 32°43′2″N 117°9′38″W / 32.71722°N 117.16056°W / 32.71722; -117.16056 [74][75]
38 Marriott Vacation Club Pulse 326 (99) 27 1990 32°43′07.2″N 117°9′28.6″W / 32.718667°N 117.157944°W / 32.718667; -117.157944 Formerly the Sheraton Suites [76]
40 El Cortez El Cortez 310 (94) 16 1927 32°43′12″N 117°9′29″W / 32.72000°N 117.15806°W / 32.72000; -117.15806 Tallest building in San Diego until 1963 [77][78]
41 225 Broadway 225 Broadway 306 (93) 22 1975 32°42′54″N 117°9′44″W / 32.71500°N 117.16222°W / 32.71500; -117.16222 [79][80]
42 The Rey 305 (93) 25 2016 [81]

Tallest under construction

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 (m)		 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

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 HotelEl Cortez Hotel310 feet (94 m)1636 years
(1927–1963)		32°43′12″N 117°9′29″W / 32.72000°N 117.15806°W / 32.72000; -117.15806[77][78]
Executive ComplexExecutive Complex350 feet (110 m)256 years
(1963–1969)		32°42′57″N 117°9′47″W / 32.71583°N 117.16306°W / 32.71583; -117.16306[66][67]
Union Bank of California BuildingUnion Bank of California Building388 feet (118 m)2720 years
(1969–1989)		32°43′2″N 117°9′35″W / 32.71722°N 117.15972°W / 32.71722; -117.15972[43][44]
Symphony TowersSymphony Towers499 feet (152 m)342 years
(1989–1991)		32°43′6″N 117°9′28″W / 32.71833°N 117.15778°W / 32.71833; -117.15778[9][10]
One America PlazaOne America Plaza500 feet (150 m)3433 years
(1991–present)		32°42′57″N 117°10′7″W / 32.71583°N 117.16861°W / 32.71583; -117.16861[4][8]

Notes

  1. ↑ 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

References

General
  • "San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 1, 2004. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  • "San Diego". SkyscraperPage. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
Specific
  1. ↑ "San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
  2. 1 2 3 4 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.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. 1 2 3 "One America Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  5. ↑ "Cities: High Rises". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ "San Diego: Construction". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ "San Diego: Proposed". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved October 14, 2019.
  8. 1 2 "One America Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  9. 1 2 "Symphony Towers". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  10. 1 2 "Symphony Towers". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  11. ↑ "Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Manchester Grand Hyatt". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  13. ↑ "15th and Island Tower 1". skyscraperpage. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
  14. ↑ "World Building Map | EMPORIS". www.emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  15. ↑ "Electra". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  16. ↑ "Electra". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  17. ↑ "Emerald Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  18. ↑ "Emerald Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  19. ↑ "The Pinnacle Marina Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  20. ↑ "Pinnacle Marina Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  21. ↑ "Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  22. ↑ "Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  23. ↑ "Diega South Tower, San Diego | 1244297 | EMPORIS". www.emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  24. ↑ "Diega South Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved July 20, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Harbor Club West". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
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  27. ↑ "Harbor Club East". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  28. ↑ "Harbor Club East". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  29. ↑ "The Grande South at Santa Fe Place". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  30. ↑ "The Grande South at Santa Fe Place". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  31. ↑ "The Grande North at Santa Fe Place". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  32. ↑ "The Grande North at Santa Fe Place". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  33. ↑ "Vantage Pointe Condominium". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  34. ↑ "Vantage Pointe Condominium". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  35. ↑ "Bosa digging for 2nd tower". July 6, 2016. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  36. ↑ "Kettner & Ash, San Diego - SkyscraperPage.com". skyscraperpage.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  37. ↑ "Savina San Diego - Welcome". January 20, 2017.
  38. ↑ "Advanced Equities Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  39. ↑ "Broadway 655". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  40. ↑ "Pacific Highway @ Ash Condominium". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  41. ↑ "Bayside at the Embarcadero". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  42. ↑ "San Diego Central Courthouse - The Skyscraper Center". skyscrapercenter.com. Retrieved September 5, 2016.
  43. 1 2 "Union Bank of California Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  44. 1 2 "Union Bank of California Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  45. ↑ "World Building Map | EMPORIS". www.emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2019.
  46. ↑ "Hilton San Diego Bayfront". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  47. ↑ "Hilton San Diego Convention Center Hotel". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  48. ↑ "The Mark". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  49. ↑ "The Mark". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  50. ↑ "Sapphire Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  51. ↑ "Sapphire Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  52. ↑ "First National Bank Center". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  53. ↑ "First National Bank Center". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  54. ↑ "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.
  55. ↑ "Omni San Diego Hotel and The Metropolitan". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  56. ↑ "Omni Hotel". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  57. ↑ "Meridian Condominiums". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  58. ↑ "Meridian Condominiums". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  59. ↑ "Marriott Marina South Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  60. ↑ "San Diego Marriott Hotel &Marina Tower 1". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  61. ↑ "Marriott Marina North Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  62. ↑ "San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina Tower 2". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  63. ↑ "The Merian". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
  64. ↑ "Imperial Bank Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  65. ↑ "Imperial Bank Tower". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  66. 1 2 "Executive Complex". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  67. 1 2 "Executive Complex". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  68. ↑ "AT&T Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  69. ↑ "101 West Broadway". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  70. ↑ "Comerica Bank Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  71. ↑ "Comerica Bank Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  72. ↑ "U.S. Federal Courthouse". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  73. ↑ "U.S. Federal Courthouse". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved February 20, 2014.
  74. ↑ "Wells Fargo Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  75. ↑ "Wells Fargo Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  76. ↑ "Sheraton Suites San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020.
  77. 1 2 "El Cortez Hotel". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  78. 1 2 "El Cortez". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  79. ↑ "225 Broadway". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  80. ↑ "NBC Building". SkyscraperPage.com. Retrieved May 16, 2009.
  81. ↑ "The Rey". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
  82. ↑ https://webmaps.sandiego.gov/portal/apps/storymaps/stories/826d9f690a354f6a9634d7559e5a4d98
  83. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230726235455/https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/july_2023_final.pdf
  84. ↑ https://opendsd.sandiego.gov/Web/Projects/Details/695555
  85. ↑ https://opendsd.sandiego.gov/Web/Projects/Details/676300
  86. ↑ https://aca-prod.accela.com/SANDIEGO/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=DSD&TabName=DSD&capID1=REC22&capID2=00000&capID3=00LWX&agencyCode=SANDIEGO&IsToShowInspection=
  87. ↑ https://aca-prod.accela.com/SANDIEGO/Cap/CapDetail.aspx?Module=DSD&TabName=DSD&capID1=REC22&capID2=00000&capID3=00UGE&agencyCode=SANDIEGO&IsToShowInspection=
  88. ↑ https://opendsd.sandiego.gov/Web/Projects/Details/690443
  89. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20230726235455/https://www.sandiego.gov/sites/default/files/july_2023_final.pdf
  90. ↑ https://opendsd.sandiego.gov/Web/Projects/Details/654500
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