San Diego ยท Gaslamp Quarter
Gaslamp Plaza Suites
Nathan Watts's 11-story 1913 office building, which the hotel calls San Diego's first skyscraper, built with marble, brass and Australian gumwood.
- Built
- 1913Built 1913 by Nathan Watts as an 11-story office building, San Diego's first 'skyscraper'; offices of what became San Diego Trust & Savings until 1927; now a hotel.
- Type
- Boutique hotel
- Area
- Gaslamp Quarter
- Credentials
- Listed on the National Register of Historic Places; Inside a National Register historic district; Local landmark
The story
Nathan Watts erected the 11-story building in 1913 with marble, brass, mosaic tile and Australian gumwood, and the bank that became San Diego Trust & Savings occupied its offices until 1927. Pauline Watts Settle owned it after her brother’s death and remodeled it in 1937 with new elevators and hall lighting. The Teacher family bought it in 1944 and brought in the jewelry trade before its conversion to the Gaslamp Plaza Suites hotel.
Good to know
- Elevator
- Address: 520 E St, San Diego, CA 92101
Things to do
Tours in San Diego
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Last verified October 2026. Details change; confirm with the inn before you book.