Phillip Burton Federal Building

Phillip Burton Federal Building is a modern 21-story office tower located near San Francisco's Civic Center. The structure occupies an entire city block and displays the clean geometric lines typical of International Style architecture, with its concrete and glass facades.

The building was completed in 1959 and embodied the architectural principles of the International Style movement. Its construction represented part of San Francisco's broader urban renewal efforts in the Civic Center area.

The building carries the name of Phillip Burton, a United States Representative who served California's 6th congressional district for nearly two decades.

The building houses multiple federal agencies and courtrooms where you can observe the judicial process. Be aware that certain areas have security checkpoints and access may be restricted in some sections.

Four courtrooms of the United States District Court for the Northern District of California operate within the building. These spaces handle federal cases and provide a rare glimpse into how the national judicial system functions.

Location: San Francisco

Official opening: 1959

Floors above the ground: 21

GPS coordinates: 37.78180,-122.41800

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:48