Watts Building
Also known as: Robinson Building or, Gaslamp Plaza and Jewelers Exchange
Why it's listed
Completed in 1913 at the northeast corner of Fifth Avenue and E Street in San Diego, this office tower was built by Nathan Watts on land his family had held since 1886. Ten regular floors rise above a full basement and a sub-basement housing mechanical and electrical equipment. The reinforced concrete frame, marble and sandstone ground floor, and ornate lobby with marble floors and walls reflect its original ambition. Designed by Bristow & Lyman and built by the Engstum Company, it was among the city's first high-rises and was marketed as earthquake and fire resistant, six years after the San Francisco earthquake. The San Diego Savings Bank occupied the ground floor and basement, and 130 offices were fitted with plumbing, compressed air, gas and electric outlets to attract doctors and dentists. Jewelers later became prominent tenants. As the tallest building in the Gaslamp District, it marks the district's northern entrance, and restoration of its lobby ceiling, canopy and sidewalk glass was underway at the time of listing.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues it was one of San Diego's first high-rise buildings and stood at what was then the city's financial center, with the San Diego Savings Bank on its ground floor. It was the first local building with a sub-basement and advanced mechanical and electrical systems, and was built of reinforced concrete and advertised as earthquake- and fireproof. It is also the tallest building in the Gaslamp District and serves as a focal point and entrance marker.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 79000526, listed April 26, 1979. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 520 E St., San Diego |
|---|---|
| County | San Diego County |
| Listed | April 26, 1979 |
| Reference number | 79000526 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1900- |
| Architect / builder | The Engstum Company, builder; Bristow & Lyman, architects |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in very good condition and being restored as part of the Gaslamp District rehabilitation program; renamed Gaslamp Plaza and Jewelers Exchange; present use is commercial/office. |
| Acreage | 0.1 |
| Within district | Gaslamp Quarter Historic District |
| Coordinates | 32.71475, -117.15985 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For an income-producing building, listing (individually or as a contributing building in a district) is the gateway to the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit on qualified rehabilitation costs, often stackable with state credits. Work claiming the credit must follow the Secretary of the Interior's Standards and be approved in advance.
Listing does not restrict a private owner acting without federal money or permits; where federal funding or licensing is involved, Section 106 review applies.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 79000526.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q5818342
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.