The Ziggurat Building, Sacramento

The Ziggurat Building, located on 3rd Street in West Sacramento, is a distinctive architectural landmark on the shore of the Sacramento River. This ten-story, stepped pyramidal office building, along with its adjacent five-story concrete parking structure, sprawls over more than 7 acres near the Tower Bridge. It was designed by local architect Edwin Kado to evoke the ancient Mesopotamian ziggurats, reflecting a design that symbolizes stability and durability. Constructed in 1997 by The Money Store, the building now serves as the headquarters for the California Department of General Services (DGS), which has leased it since 2001.

The Ziggurat offers over 373,725 square feet of usable office space. Its design began ambitiously as a reversed pyramid that would cantilever toward the river, but modifications led to its current symmetrical form. The building's foundation is robust, featuring a pre-stressed concrete, pile system, and its superstructure is comprised of a standard column and beam steel framework. This structural design is capable of withstanding seismic events up to a magnitude of 6.9 on the Richter scale, which is considerably stringent for the Sacramento region. The exterior is clad in Minnesota Gray Buff limestone panels, each weighing over four tons, adding to its grandeur and solidity.

At night, the building can be illuminated, a feature that has been selectively used for special events since the state's lease began in 2001. This lighting adds to the dramatic impact of its ziggurat-like silhouette against the Sacramento skyline. The Ziggurat Building not only serves a functional role as office space but also stands as a testament to innovative architectural design inspired by ancient history.