San Diego history is steeped in military and naval tradition so it’s no surprise that one of its newest shopping destinations is as well. The Headquarters, which opened last November, served as the San Diego Police Department’s headquarters for close to 50 years. The upscale shopping destination is now home to 13 stores and nine restaurants within walking distance of its sister property, Seaport Village.
O
riginally built in 1939 by architects Alberto Treganza and Edward and Charles Quayle,
the building
employs a Spanish mission style that promotes circulation and social interaction. Coronado residents were granted some input in the design since they had views of the old Headquarters from across the bay.
The Headquarters, which has been added to the National Register of Historic Places, was the first police facility in the world to incorporate all police operations under one roof, including a jail, five courthouses, an indoor shooting range and a maintenance garage. At one point, there was also a bowling alley on the ground floor of the building’s three-story gym. During World
War II, the tower on Harbor Drive was a post where San Diego police officers watched for enemy aircraft. It also served as an espionage command center during that same time period. The building’s heritage is honored throughout, but it is most apparent at The San Diego Police Department Exhibit located in the rear of the courtyard. The old jail cells are showcased near the restrooms, where visitors can see the last remnants of cells that once housed 274 inmates. It is difficult to imagine how such a beautiful place was once a home for San Diego felons.
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OFF THE EASEL MAGAZINE – SUMMER 2014
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