| Skyline of San Diego | |
|---|---|
| Downtown San Diego in 2019 | |
| Tallest building | One America Plaza (1991) |
| Tallest building height | 500 ft (152.4 m) |
| First 150 m+ building | Symphony Towers (1989) |
| Number of tall buildings (2026) | |
| Taller than 100 m (328 ft) | 41 |
| Taller than 150 m (492 ft) | 3 |
| Number of tall buildings — feet | |
| Taller than 300 ft (91.4 m) | 49 |
San Diego, a major coastal city in Southern California, has over 200 high-rises mainly in its central business district.[1] The city has over 40 buildings that stand taller than 300 feet (91 m), the third-most in California after San Francisco and Los Angeles. In the 1970s, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began restricting downtown building height to a maximum of 500 feet (152 m) within a 2.3-mile (3.7 km) radius from San Diego International Airport.[2][3][a] As a result, Downtown San Diego has no buildings beyond that height, and only three buildings are taller than 492 ft (150 m). The tallest building in the city is the 34-story One America Plaza, completed in 1991 which stands at 500 ft (152 m) tall.[4]
The history of skyscrapers in San Diego began with the completion of the U.S. Grant Hotel in 1910. Standing at 211 ft (64 m), it was the tallest building in the city for 17 years, symbolizing early 20th century economic growth and urban development. In 1927, the El Cortez Hotel surpassed it with a height of 310 ft (94 m), becoming a prominent landmark and reflecting the city’s expanding ambitions during the Roaring Twenties.[5] For much of the mid-20th century, high-rise development in San Diego remained modest compared to other major American cities, largely due to the city’s size and geographic constraints. A significant shift occurred in 1969 when 530 B Street was completed, reaching 388 ft (118 m) and holding the title of tallest building for two decades. This period marked the beginning of more modern office towers and a move toward vertical urbanization.
An uptick in construction took place from the 1980s to the early 1990s, which saw the emergence of major skyscrapers such as the Symphony Towers, completed in 1989 at 499 feet (152 m), and One America Plaza, which overtook it in 1991. All three buildings that surpassed 492 ft (150 m) in height were completed between 1989 and 1992. The late 1990s and 2000s onwards saw a surge in new high-rise construction, particularly residential skyscrapers, which introduced twin tower designs and modern architectural styles to the city. This era coincided with broader urban renewal efforts aimed at revitalizing downtown neighborhoods and accommodating a growing population seeking urban living. In contrast to Los Angeles and San Francisco, over half of the city's 300-foot buildings were completed after 2000.
The FAA's height restrictions created a skyline that is relatively uniform in height, compared to other American cities. As a result, San Diego’s skyline is often noted for its integration with the natural coastal environment, preserving sight lines to the bay and surrounding hills. While most tall buildings are located in the downtown area, there are also a number of residential high-rises in the University City neighborhood. South of the Mexico-United States border is the Mexican city of Tijuana, which has a significant skyline of its own. San Diego and Tijuana form the San Diego-Tijuana trans border agglomeration, which together has nearly 50 buildings taller than 100 m (328 ft).
History
After the completion of Cortez Hotel in 1927, it remained the tallest building in San Diego for 36 years, until it was surpassed by the Executive Complex in 1963.
The FAA's height restrictions—introduced in the 1970s due to the proximity of San Diego International Airport—limited downtown building heights to a maximum of 500 feet (152 m). This restriction has significantly influenced the architectural character and scale of San Diego's skyline, resulting in a cluster of buildings that generally adhere to the 500-foot limit. This has created a relatively uniform skyline height compared to other major cities, with an emphasis on horizontal spread and mid-rise development in surrounding neighborhoods. The late 1990s and 2000s saw a surge in new high-rise construction, particularly residential skyscrapers, which introduced twin tower designs and modern architectural styles to the city.[2] This era coincided with broader urban renewal efforts aimed at revitalizing downtown neighborhoods and accommodating a growing population seeking urban living.
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 January 2026, there have been 10 buildings that have been proposed, approved, undergoing review, or are currently undergoing construction which will join the tallest buildings in San Diego (over 300 feet).[6][7]
Cityscape
Map of tallest buildings
The map below shows the location of buildings taller than 300 feet (61 m) in San Diego. Each marker is numbered by height and colored by the decade of the building's completion.
Tallest buildings
This list ranks San Diego skyscrapers that stand at least 300 feet (91 m) tall as of 2026, 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
Was the tallest building in San Diego upon completionTallest under construction or proposed
Under construction
This lists buildings that are under construction in San Diego and are planned to rise at least 300 feet (91 meters) as of 2026. The "year" column indicates the estimated year of completion.
| Name | Coordinates | Height ft (m) | Floors | Year | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia & A | 32°43′7″N 117°10′4″W / 32.71861°N 117.16778°W / 32.71861; -117.16778 (Columbia & A) | 448 (137) | 39 | 2026 | Mixed-use | Columbia & A will be a 39-story condo and hotel tower.[101] |
| The Torrey | 32°43′6″N 117°9′55″W / 32.71833°N 117.16528°W / 32.71833; -117.16528 (The Torrey) | 445 (136) | 34 | 2026 | Residential | The Torrey will be a 34‑story residential tower featuring 450 apartments and a Whole Foods Market at its base.[102] |
| Andia | 32°43′3″N 117°9′24″W / 32.71750°N 117.15667°W / 32.71750; -117.15667 (Andia) | 410 (125) | 40 | 2027 | Residential | Andia will be a 40-story luxury condominium tower with 393 units and ground-floor retail.[103] |
Proposed
This lists ranks proposed buildings in San Diego that are planned to be taller than 300 ft (91 m). A dash “–“ indicates information about the building is unknown or has not been released.
| Name | Coordinates | Height ft (m) | Floors | Year | Purpose | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st and Island | 32°42′36″N 117°9′48″W / 32.71000°N 117.16333°W / 32.71000; -117.16333 (1st and Island) | 410 (125) | 35 | – | Residential | Under Review | Planned 35-story residential tower, replacing a parking lot in the Gaslamp Quarter. Will be situated next to the Harbor Club towers.[104] |
| 4th and B | 32°43′3″N 117°9′42″W / 32.71750°N 117.16167°W / 32.71750; -117.16167 (4th and B) | 400 (122) | 30 | – | Mixed-use | Under Review | A planned 30-story mixed-use tower that will replace an empty lot that was the former spot of the 4th and B venue. Will contain office and hotel space.[105] |
| Pinnacle Pacific Heights | 32°43′6″N 117°9′16″W / 32.71833°N 117.15444°W / 32.71833; -117.15444 (Pinnacle Pacific Heights) | 325 (99) | 32 | – | Residential | Under Review | Planned mixed-use tower with 492 residential units and 2,250 sq. ft. of retail space. Currently a parking lot.[106] |
| 444 West Beech | 32°43′16″N 117°10′11″W / 32.72111°N 117.16972°W / 32.72111; -117.16972 (444 West Beech) | – | 39 | – | Mixed-use | Under Review | 444 West Beech is a proposed 39-story mixed-use tower by Endeavor Real Estate Group, planned for the north side of Beech Street between Columbia and State in downtown San Diego. The project would include 491 apartments (37 affordable units) and about 6,938 sq. ft. of ground-floor retail.[107] |
| Kettner Crossing Phase 2 | 32°43′16″N 117°10′11″W / 32.72111°N 117.16972°W / 32.72111; -117.16972 (Kettner Crossing Phase 2) | – | 33 | – | Residential | Under Review | Phase 2 of Kettner Crossing is the next development stage of a mixed-use project in San Diego's Little Italy neighborhood. This phase includes additional residential units and retail spaces.[108] |
| 1950 India Street | 32°43′30″N 117°10′9″W / 32.72500°N 117.16917°W / 32.72500; -117.16917 (1950 India Street) | – | 26 | – | Residential | Under Review | A planned mixed-use tower in Little Italy, expected to bring 444 units of residential space and 33,752 sq. ft. of retail space. The spot is currently a vacant building.[109] |
| Après Little Italy | 32°43′27″N 117°10′8″W / 32.72417°N 117.16889°W / 32.72417; -117.16889 (Après Little Italy) | – | 25 | – | Residential | Under Review | Another planned mixed-use tower coming to the Little Italy area. It will feature over 150 apartments and 9,289 sq. ft. of retail space.[110] |
Timeline of tallest buildings
These are the list of buildings that have held the title of tallest building in San Diego. [111]
| Name | Image | Height ft (m) | Floors | Years as tallest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Grant Hotel | 211 (64) | 11 | 17 years (1910–1927) | [112] | |
| El Cortez Hotel | 310 (94) | 16 | 36 years (1927–1963) | [92][113] | |
| Tower 180 | 350 (110) | 25 | 6 years (1963–1969) | [114][115] | |
| 530 B Street | 388 (118) | 27 | 20 years (1969–1989) | [56][116] | |
| Symphony Towers | 499 (152) | 34 | 2 years (1989–1991) | [117][118] | |
| One America Plaza | 500 (150) | 34 | 35 years (1991–present) | [4][119] |
Notes
- 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
- Sources do not state the exact height of this building. This figure was determined using Google Earth by subtracting the altitude of the building entrance from the highest architectural point.
See also
- List of tallest buildings in the United States
- List of tallest buildings in California
- List of tallest buildings in Los Angeles
- List of tallest buildings in San Francisco
- List of tallest buildings in Tijuana
- List of Gaslamp Quarter historic buildings
References
- General
- "San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 1, 2004.
- "San Diego". SkyscraperPage.
- Specific
- "San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 23, 2015.
- 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.
- "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.
- "One America Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 28, 2007.
- Meyer, Matt (May 19, 2022). "Photos of downtown San Diego in the 1920s".
- "San Diego: Construction". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "San Diego: Proposed". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "One America Plaza - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Symphony Towers - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 12, 2007.
- "Manchester Grand Hyatt". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Pinnacle on the Park - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "World Building Map | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
- "Spire San Diego - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Electra". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012.
- "Electra - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Pacific Gate by Bosa - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "The Pinnacle Marina Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 21, 2007.
- "The Pinnacle Marina Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Emerald Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007.
- "Emerald Plaza - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007.
- "Manchester Grand Hyatt Seaport - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Diega South Tower, San Diego | 1244297 | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 2, 2021.
- "Diega South Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "800 Broadway".
- "San Diego's New 40-Story Mixed-Use Tower Opens in Downtown". March 17, 2025.
- "800 Broadway". JWDA Architects.
- "West SD Apartments".
- "Courthouse Commons - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Harbor Club West". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 18, 2007.
- "Harbor Club West - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Harbor Club East". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2007.
- "Harbor Club East - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "The Grande South at Santa Fe Place". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 19, 2007.
- "The Grande South at Santa Fe Place". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "The Grande North at Santa Fe Place". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 19, 2007.
- "The Grande North at Santa Fe Place". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "Vantage Pointe Condominium". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012.
- "Vantage Pointe Condominium". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "Bosa digging for 2nd tower". July 6, 2016.
- "Savina San Diego - Welcome". January 20, 2017.
- "Savina by Bosa - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "The Lindley - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "The Lindley - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Advanced Equities Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007.
- "Broadway 655". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "First Allied Plaza - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Simone Little Italy".
- "Union & Ash - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "World Building Map | EMPORIS". Emporis. Archived from the original on February 19, 2015.
- "Ballpark Village - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Bayside at the Embarcadero". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012.
- "Bayside at the Embarcadero - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Union Bank of California Building". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 4, 2007.
- "Union Bank of California Building - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "San Diego Central Courthouse - The Skyscraper Center". skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Hilton San Diego Bayfront". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 20, 2007.
- "Hilton San Diego Bayfront - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "The Mark". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on March 4, 2007.
- "The Mark - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "First National Bank Center". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007.
- "First National Bank Center - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Sapphire Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012.
- "Sapphire Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Omni San Diego Hotel Opens in San Diego's Newly Revitalized Gaslamp Quarter". Omni Hotels. Archived from the original on August 30, 2009.
- "Omni San Diego Hotel and The Metropolitan". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on January 1, 2007.
- "Omni San Diego Hotel and The Metropolitan - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Meridian Condominiums". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012.
- "Meridian Condominiums - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Marriott Marina South Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 24, 2007.
- "San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina Tower 1 - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Marriott Marina North Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on February 23, 2007.
- "San Diego Marriott Marquis & Marina Tower 2 - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "The Merian". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
- "The Merian - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Imperial Bank Tower". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007.
- "Imperial Bank Tower - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Tower 180". Carrier Johnson + Culture.
- "Tower 180". A.J. Kirkwood.
- "AT&T Building - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "San Diego Union-Tribune name removed from Downtown building after eviction battle". cbs8.com. July 3, 2024.
- "U.S. Federal Courthouse". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 22, 2012.
- "James M. Carter and Judith N. Keep United States Courthouse - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Wells Fargo Plaza". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on October 15, 2012.
- "Wells Fargo Plaza - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Procopio Tower at 525 B Street". Hines. Archived from the original on November 9, 2024.
- "Golden Eagle Plaza, San Diego - SkyscraperPage.com". skyscraperpage.com.
- "Broadway Towers".
- "11th and Broadway Tower 2 - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "El Cortez Hotel". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on March 12, 2007.
- "El Cortez - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "11th and Broadway Tower 1 - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Rise Downtown Waterfront".
- "225 Broadway". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on May 25, 2007.
- "NBC Building". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "The Rey". Emporis. Archived from the original on July 22, 2021.
- "Marriott Vacation Club Pulse - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Sheraton Suites San Diego". Emporis. Archived from the original on September 30, 2020.
- "Accela Citizen Access".
- "Accela Citizen Access".
- "Project Details | Open DSD".
- "1st and Island". BuildSD.
- "4th & B". BuildSD.
- "Pinnacle Pacific Heights - The Skyscraper Center". www.skyscrapercenter.com.
- "Accela Citizen Access". aca-prod.accela.com.
- "Accela Citizen Access". aca-prod.accela.com.
- "1950 India Street". BuildSD.
- "Aprés Little Italy Current". The Abraham Companies.
- "Accela Citizen Access".
- "The US Grant (1910), San Diego | Historic Hotels of the World-Then&Now". www.historichotelsthenandnow.com.
- "El Cortez". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "Tower 180". Carrier Johnson + Culture.
- "Tower 180". A.J. Kirkwood.
- "Union Bank of California Building". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "Symphony Towers". Emporis.com. Archived from the original on November 18, 2006.
- "Symphony Towers". SkyscraperPage.com.
- "One America Plaza". SkyscraperPage.com.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to- "San Diego" and skyscraper diagram at SkyscraperPage
- "San Diego" at the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat