United States Courthouse

The United States Courthouse is a 23-story federal building in downtown Seattle that fills an entire city block with a substantial landscaped plaza on its southern edge. The structure houses 18 courtrooms across more than 600,000 square feet of space for federal judicial operations.

Construction started in 2001 and finished in 2004, replacing the earlier William Kenzo Nakamura courthouse that had served the region. The new building represented a major update to the city's federal judicial infrastructure.

The building houses 18 courtrooms and serves as the primary location for the United States District Court of the Western District of Washington.

Access to this federal courthouse is available during business hours, though public visits may be limited depending on court proceedings in session. Underground parking is available on-site, and visitors should check current entry guidelines before planning a visit.

The building features a specialized cable support system designed to protect it against potential explosive events, an uncommon engineering approach. This hidden technical feature is not visible to casual observers but reflects careful security planning in its design.

Location: Seattle

Official opening: August 17, 2004

Floors above the ground: 23

GPS coordinates: 47.61500,-122.33650

Latest update: December 8, 2025 21:08