San Diego Central Courthouse
A.O. Reed provided the complete plumbing scope for the San Diego Central Courthouse, a 704,380 square-foot, 22-story high-rise structure located in the heart of downtown San Diego. The courthouse was built to replace several aging facilities, including the previous central courthouse, family court, and Madge Bradley Court. The building brings operations together into a single, modern facility designed to support the region’s long-term judicial needs.
The building includes 71 courtrooms, secure holding areas, administrative offices, and support spaces. All spaces are used to improve safety, accessibility, and efficiency. A key architectural feature is the use of 160,000 square feet of exterior glass, bringing in natural daylight and offering panoramic views of the city. The building fills an entire 1.4-acre city block and includes a 182-foot pedestrian bridge connecting it to the existing Hall of Justice, enhancing security and circulation between facilities.
A.O. Reed’s scope extended across the main tower, the pedestrian bridge, and portions of the existing courthouse. Plumbing installations included domestic water systems, storm and sewer ejection systems, and fuel oil piping for the building’s emergency generator. A.O. Reed also installed durable, penal-grade plumbing fixtures within the courthouse’s holding cells, meeting strict standards for security and reliability.
The San Diego Central Courthouse brings vital improvements to the community by making the justice system more accessible, efficient, and secure. By consolidating court services into one modern facility, the building streamlines public access and improves the experience for jurors, staff, and visitors. Its central location, thoughtful design, and enhanced safety features help serve thousands of residents each year, reinforcing the courthouse’s role as a cornerstone of civic life in San Diego.
As one of the most significant public buildings completed in the region in recent years, the San Diego Central Courthouse provides a centralized, accessible space for court services, improving the experience for the public, staff, and legal professionals. A.O. Reed is proud to have contributed to a project that strengthens public infrastructure and serves thousands of San Diego residents every day. Construction began in August 2016, and the courthouse was turned over and opened to the public in April 2019.
