San Jose City Hall

City Hall of San Jose
General information
Status Complete
Type Government offices
Architectural style Postmodern
Location 200 East Santa Clara Street
San Jose, California
Coordinates 37°20′16″N 121°53′10″W / 37.33778°N 121.8861°W / 37.33778; -121.8861Coordinates: 37°20′16″N 121°53′10″W / 37.33778°N 121.8861°W / 37.33778; -121.8861
Completed 2002 – 2005
Cost US$343 million
Height
Roof 86.9 m (285 ft)
Technical details
Floor count 18
2 below ground
Floor area 49,240 m2 (530,000 sq ft)
Lifts/elevators 11
Design and construction
Architect Richard Meier & Partners Architect
Steinberg Architects
Engineer Englekirk Partners
Main contractor Devcon Construction
Turner Construction
References
[1][2][3]

City Hall of San Jose at 200 East Santa Clara Street is the center of the government of the city of San Jose, California. The building was designed by Richard Meier, and opened to the public on 15 October 2005, replacing the former City Hall complex civic center located on North First Street, which was used from 1958 until 2005. From 1889 to 1958 the city hall was located in what is now Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San José.

Architecture

The architect was Richard Meier, designer of the Getty Center in Los Angeles, the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, Barcelona, Spain and numerous other buildings around the world. The architectural style is most influenced by that of Le Corbusier. The US382 million facility has been somewhat controversial, however the building was designed to be environmentally friendly, making use of natural light, and providing shading with brise soleils on the tower.

The complex is large, with the 18 story tower totaling 550,000 sq ft (51,000 m2) . The mayor's office is located in the top floor of the tower, with the rotunda serving as an entrance and council chambers located in the third building.

The city hall tower is home to a peregrine falcon named Clara, and her current tiercel, named "Esteban Colbert" after Stephen Colbert, of whom San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed is said to be a fan.[4] The original falcons, named Jose and Clara after the city and Santa Clara County produced three offspring, named Spirit, Hiko, and Esperanza. In 2008, Clara and her then-mate Carlos had three chicks, Cielo and Meyye, both girls, and Mercury, a boy.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ San Jose City Hall at Emporis
  2. ↑ "San Jose City Hall". SkyscraperPage.
  3. ↑ San Jose City Hall at Structurae
  4. 1 2 "City Hall Falcons". City of San Jose. Retrieved December 12, 2009.
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