William Kenzo Nakamura United States Courthouse

The William Kenzo Nakamura United States Courthouse is a ten-story building with terracotta panels and polished terrazzo floors throughout its interior spaces. The structure contains five courtrooms, each featuring tall windows that face the surrounding city streets and allow natural light to fill the spaces.

The structure was built in 1940 and was the first single-purpose federal courthouse in the western United States at that time. Its construction marked a turning point for how court buildings were designed and built in the region.

The building was named in 2001 to honor William Kenzo Nakamura, a soldier who gave his life for his unit during World War II. This naming reflects how the city recognizes acts of bravery and service in its public spaces.

The courthouse is located in downtown Seattle and functions as one of four regular meeting places for the Ninth Circuit Court. Its central location makes it easy to reach on foot as you explore the surrounding neighborhood.

The building blends concrete frame construction with Art Deco patterns and a neoclassical temple-style facade designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood. This combination of different architectural styles makes the courthouse stand out visually among other downtown structures.

Location: Seattle

Inception: August 1940

Architects: Gilbert Stanley Underwood

Architectural style: rustic architecture

Floors above the ground: 10

GPS coordinates: 47.60720,-122.33100

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:30