City Center Building

City Center Building is an eleven-story commercial building located in downtown Hayward between Foothill Boulevard and City Center Drive. The structure rises prominently above surrounding buildings and defines the skyline of this part of the city.

The building was completed in 1969 following plans that originally called for twenty floors before those plans were reduced. The 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake caused structural damage that made its role as City Hall no longer possible.

The building reflects the architectural approach that California cities adopted during the late 1960s, and it continues to shape how the downtown looks today. Its position between major streets makes it a reference point that many visitors notice when exploring the area.

The building is easy to reach thanks to multiple transportation options nearby, including highway access and public transit throughout the area. Parking and bus stops are available close by for visitors exploring downtown.

An architecture critic gave the building the nickname 'the toaster' in the 1970s because of its distinctive shape. The name stuck in people's minds and remains part of how locals think about the building today.

Location: California

Inception: 1969

Official opening: October 18, 1969

Floors above the ground: 11

GPS coordinates: 37.67940,-122.08200

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:10