Gaslamp Quarter in San Diego in San Diego County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

The Watts-Robinson Building

1913

— Gaslamp Quarter —

Watts-Robinson Building Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

1. Watts-Robinson Building Marker

Inscription. One of San Diego’s earliest skyscrapers, this building is an excellent example of the Chicago School of Architecture. The marble wainscoting, tile floors, and brass ornamentation are complemented by the original, ornate lobby ceiling. Replacing the old Watts Building, at the same location, the structure was first known as the New Watts Building and later the Robinson Building. The building was long a favorite of jewelers; at one time 70 occupied offices in the building. (Marker Number 26.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP), and the San Diego - Gaslamp Quarter series lists.

Location. 32° 42.887′ N, 117° 9.593′ W. Marker is in San Diego, California, in San Diego County. It is in the Gaslamp Quarter. It is at the intersection of E Street and Fifth Avenue, on the left when traveling east on E Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 903 Fifth Avenue, San Diego CA 92101, United States of America.

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Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Onyx Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker); Louis Bank of Commerce (within shouting distance of this marker); Nesmith-Greely Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ingersoll-Tutton Building, 1894 (about 300 feet away); The Hubbell Building (about 300 feet away); Lawyer's Block Building (about 300 feet away); St. James Hotel (about 400 feet away); Samuel I. Fox Building (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in San Diego.

Also see . . . National Register of Historic Places Inventory Form. The Watts-Robinson Building, formerly known as the Gaslamp Plaza and Jewelers Exchange, was listed in the National

Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

2. Watts-Robinson Building & Marker

The marker is near the center of the building, facing E Street.

The National Register of Historic Places Statement of Significance to describe this historic building reads:

The Watts building was built by Nathan Watts in 1913 on property purchased by Henry Watts in 1886. It was one of San Diego's first high-rise buildings and the intersection was then known as the financial center of the city. The San Diego Savings Bank occupied the first floor and basement. The San Diego Savings Bank was later changed to the San Diego Trust and Savings Bank. It is the oldest existing Savings Bank in San Diego, founded in 1889. Two other corners of Fifth and E were occupied by banks in 1913, giving rise to the "financial center" designation.

The building was designed to attract doctors and dentists by equipping 130 offices for “hot and cold water, waste outlets, compressed air, gas and electric outlets”. A number of important individuals and firms have been tenants in the Watts building in addition to the bank. Roberts Mens Store has occupied the ground floor since 1932. Since early in its history it has had jewelers as tenants, and increasingly so in the last two decades.

The
Photographed by Douglass Halvorsen, July 5, 2025

3. The Watts-Robinson Building
Watts building is architecturally significant as one of San Diego's first high-rise buildings. It is the first building to have a sub-basement and the mechanical and electrical features described above. Constructed of reinforced concrete, six years after the San Francisco earthquake, it was then advertised as earthquake proof and fire proof. The proportions, ornamentation, finish materials, and mechanical systems, combine in a design that make it an important landmark in the history of downtown San Diego.

Located at the northern end of the Gaslamp District it is the tallest building in this historic district and with the restoration currently underway, the “Gaslamp Plaza and Jewelers Exchange” serves as a focal point and entrance marker for the District.

(Submitted on July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.)

Additional commentary.
1. Marker No. 26
This marker appears to have replaced the original marker, and is missing the official marker number designation of '26' as part of the Gaslamp Quarter marker series.

— Submitted July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. This page has been viewed 199 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 28, 2025, by Douglass Halvorsen of Klamath Falls, Oregon. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.