James R. Browning U.S. Courthouse

Building Information

Property Manager: Kelvin Ross

Public Hours: 8:30 a.m.– 5 p.m. Monday through Friday (except federal holidays)

For more building information or service calls, see contact information at top right (or by scrolling down on mobile devices). For other federal government information, call 800-FED-INFO.

Parking and Public Transportation

There is no parking available in the building for the general public. Paid public parking is located on Mission Street between 7th and 8th Streets. Metered street parking is nearby. Several commercial parking lots, both open and covered, are within walking distance to the building. Public transportation is available via BART and Muni.

Public Access

All public visitors are required to pass through electronic security equipment on the first floor. ADA access is available at the Mission and 7th Street entrances to the building.

Key Tenants

The only tenant is the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.

Additional information for tenants >

Building Services

Art in Architecture

See the fine art collection at this building.

History and Architecture

The James R. Browning U.S. Court of Appeals in San Francisco is considered one of the nation's most beautiful public buildings. Built as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse at the turn of the twentieth century, it was intended to represent the affluence and increasing importance of the United States as it became a world power.

The building was designed in the 1890s to house the federal courts and San Francisco post office. Construction cost $2.5 million, and it opened in 1905. The building was deemed a fine and early example of Beaux-Arts Classical or American Renaissance architecture and has been praised for the quality and splendor of its craftsmanship.

In 1906 the structure successfully survived the San Francisco earthquake with relatively minor damage; however, in 1989 the courthouse and post office suffered serious damage during the Loma Prieta earthquake that made continued occupancy dangerous. Congress authorized $91 million for the seismic retrofitting and historic rehabilitation of the entire facility. The structure was fitted with a friction pendulum base isolation system – architectural shock absorbers to resist damage during earthquakes. All utility system upgrades were carried out in such a manner to preserve the historic character of the interior and exterior finishes.

The building reopened as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in 1997 and was renamed during the centennial celebrations in 2005 to honor Judge James R. Browning. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as U.S. Post Office and Courthouse.

Occupant Information

Access & Hours of Operation

The building is fully operational (lighting and HVAC services) from 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday excluding federal holidays. Tenants may access the building 24 hours a day/7 days a week including federal holidays. A key card will be required for access at all times.

Security

Contract guard service is in place to protect the property and the tenants. Guards are on duty 24 hours a day 7 days a week (including holidays). A Court Security Officer monitors the facility from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the Federal Protective Service provides after-hours security. For all emergency or security concerns, please call FPS Denver Mega Center at 877-437-7411.

Joint Use/Shared Services

Standard services are commonly included as part of the rent charged by GSA as documented in the Occupancy Agreement. Reimbursable services are normally excluded from the rent and are funded through a Reimbursable Work Authorization (RWA). Examples include after-hours lighting, special or after-hours cleaning, office space carpet cleaning, uninterruptible power services, and non-standard trash removal.

Building Operations

Maintenance & Service Requests: Please contact the receptionist at 415-252-8309 during the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, excluding holidays, for janitorial, HVAC, elevator, lighting, or any other service provided by GSA in our building. Building Maintenance personnel are on duty from 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Custodial Services: GSA provides cleaning for assigned space equal to commercial cleaning for similar space. The standard services include: vacuuming, sweeping and dusting; emptying trash; servicing restrooms, lobbies, corridors, and other common areas; servicing loading docks and platforms; and pest control. Carpet spot removal can be done on an as-needed basis. Overall shampooing is done as a reimbursable service and should take place on a regular basis to preserve the appearance and condition of the carpet.

Lighting/HVAC: Ten hours of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and lighting are provided at no additional cost during normal duty hours. Additional service outside this timeframe is available on a reimbursable basis with advanced notice to the Maintenance and Service Request line at 415-252-8309. The receptionist will coordinate the request for approval through the GSA Property Management Office.

Utility Closets: Tenant and tenant vendor access to electrical and telephone closets can be obtained by contacting the Maintenance and Service Request line at 415-252-8309. Please do not install equipment in these closets without first contacting the GSA Property Management Office.

Tenant Controlled Space Alteration: Space alterations should not be performed without first contacting the GSA Property Manager. GSA will provide alteration solutions to meet your needs. Alteration projects are normally funded through a Reimbursable Work Authorization (RWA). Also, it is building policy that work that might disrupt building tenants (e.g. paint fumes, construction noise, etc.) be accomplished after standard building operating hours.

Under the conditions above, if you are authorized to perform alterations within your space, you must adhere to all building-specific regulations with respect to contractor access, clearance procedures, and all other conditions governing general access and security controls relative to this building.

For any questions, please call the Property Manager 415-522-4641.

Miscellaneous Topics

Occupant Emergency Plan: As the only tenant in this building, U.S. Court of Appeals is responsible for creating and updating the Occupant Emergency Plan. Please take time to become familiar with it, and participate in Building Security Committee meetings.

Displays: Please do not post or display any material without first contacting the GSA Property Manager at 415-522-4641.

Personal Property: Please do not put surplus items in building common space (i.e., corridors, elevators, loading dock, etc.). Doing so may impede egress should the building need to be evacuated. GSA will be glad to advise you about excessing surplus property.

Loading Dock: The loading dock is open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Scheduling the use of the loading dock for deliveries, moves, etc., can be arranged through the Maintenance and Service Request line at 415-252-8309. Loading dock requests must be received at least 24 hours in advance.

If a vehicle(s) will be at the dock for more than one hour, it must be attended in the event it needs to be moved for other deliveries/services.

Recycling: Tenants are encouraged to take advantage of the building-wide recycling program, which includes paper and cardboard. Any questions regarding recycling, please contact the janitorial contractor supervisor 415-861-6532 at or the GSA Property Manager at 415-522-4641.