Doesn’t it strike you as peculiar that a building could be called “pretentious” upon its completion? Yet, that’s precisely what happened with the Emerald Plaza here in San Diego.
We are standing before the Emerald Plaza. It is a prominent fixture in San Diego’s skyline. Emerald Plaza is not just another building. It’s a statement, a conversation starter, and a testament to architectural ambition.
Emerald Plaza finished construction in 1990. It quickly became one of San Diego’s most recognizable landmarks. The Emerald Plaza shares the title of the fifth tallest building in San Diego with the Pinnacle Museum Tower. Both stand at a height of 450 feet which is about 137 meters.
Located in the heart of downtown San Diego, in the Core district, Emerald Plaza boasts 30 stories. Its most distinctive feature is its clustered hexagonal roof. The Emerald Plaza was designed by C.W. Kim Architects & Planners.
Now, let’s delve into some intriguing details. When it was first built, one architectural critic didn’t hold back. They called Emerald Plaza “pretentious” and “discordant” with the buildings around it. They even wrote that it looked like a futuristic experiment. The critic thought it might look peculiar along staid Broadway.
But here’s a twist. The hexagonal design wasn’t just for show. It allowed for more guestrooms and offices with views. The hexagonal design also minimized wasted space, unlike typical rectangular buildings. The angled window sills reflect ambient sunlight into the building. This reduces the need for artificial lighting.
Emerald Plaza was built at a cost of $150 million. The structure has a steel frame with granite stone panels and reflective glass. The glass is set in a custom Kynar green aluminum window framing system.
Interestingly, the entire structure balances on a 9-foot deep concrete block. This acts like a floating device. It allows the building to ebb and flow, mimicking the movement of water. This technique makes it one of the most stable structures in San Diego.
Ownership of Emerald Plaza has changed hands a few times. In June 2004, it was sold to Triple Net Properties for $100.94 million. Then, in November 2005, RREEF acquired it for $123 million.
The Westin San Diego is located in one of the Emerald Plaza towers. It’s a 4-diamond hotel with 436 rooms. The hotel features a 100-foot high glass atrium. Inside, you’ll find a large green glass sculpture called “Flying Emeralds”. The hotel also offers Californian cuisine at The Grill. You can find guest rooms from the fourth floor up to the Presidential Suite on the 25th floor. The hotel has 22000 square feet of ballroom and conference facilities. It even houses a law library.
So, as you stand here, consider the story of the Emerald Plaza. It is a building that dared to be different. It sparked debate, changed hands, and ultimately became an icon of the San Diego skyline. A building that was once called pretentious now stands as a testament to innovative design.