Fresno City Hall, Fresno
Fresno City Hall is a striking example of Post-modern Futurist architecture. Designed by the renowned Canadian architect Arthur Erickson in 1991, this building serves as the seat of the city government and the office of the mayor. Erickson, known for other notable works such as One California Plaza in Los Angeles and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, D.C., created a building that stands out as a masterpiece of modern design. Fresno City Hall anchors the northern end of the "Mariposa Mall," a twelve-block civic corridor that concludes with the Fresno County Courthouse to the south.
The building’s exterior is characterized by its post-modern futurist style, featuring dull-finished stainless steel and glass panels. The angular roofline is designed to evoke the peaks of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, creating a dynamic contrast with the more historic structures in downtown Fresno. This modern aesthetic has sparked some controversy, yet it is widely recognized as a brilliant piece of architecture. The five-story structure includes a variety of city offices, with the central interior space dedicated to the council chamber, which seats 249 people and benefits from natural light streaming through a skylight situated between the two peaks of the roof.
Beyond its functional aspects, Fresno City Hall includes notable exterior features, such as a large fountain located between the dual stairways that lead up to the main public entrance.
Fresno City Hall also has a place in popular culture, having been used as a filming location for the 1994 science-fiction movie "The Puppet Masters," where its exterior doubled as Des Moines City Hall.
The building’s exterior is characterized by its post-modern futurist style, featuring dull-finished stainless steel and glass panels. The angular roofline is designed to evoke the peaks of the nearby Sierra Nevada mountains, creating a dynamic contrast with the more historic structures in downtown Fresno. This modern aesthetic has sparked some controversy, yet it is widely recognized as a brilliant piece of architecture. The five-story structure includes a variety of city offices, with the central interior space dedicated to the council chamber, which seats 249 people and benefits from natural light streaming through a skylight situated between the two peaks of the roof.
Beyond its functional aspects, Fresno City Hall includes notable exterior features, such as a large fountain located between the dual stairways that lead up to the main public entrance.
Fresno City Hall also has a place in popular culture, having been used as a filming location for the 1994 science-fiction movie "The Puppet Masters," where its exterior doubled as Des Moines City Hall.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Fresno. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51±¬ÁÏÍø: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Fresno City Hall on Map
Sight Name: Fresno City Hall
Sight Location: Fresno, USA (See walking tours in Fresno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Fresno, USA (See walking tours in Fresno)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Fresno, California
Create Your Own Walk in Fresno
Creating your own self-guided walk in Fresno is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Buildings Walking Tour
Fresno, California, boasts a variety of historical buildings that reflect its growth from a small agricultural community to a bustling city. Collectively, these buildings preserve Fresno's past but also contribute to its vibrant urban fabric, blending historical significance with modern vitality.
The Meux Home Museum, an elegant Victorian mansion, offers a glimpse into 19th-century life... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
The Meux Home Museum, an elegant Victorian mansion, offers a glimpse into 19th-century life... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.7 Km or 2.3 Miles
Fresno Downtown Walking Tour
Nestled in the heart of California's fertile San Joaquin Valley, Fresno is a city rich in history and cultural vibrancy.
The area's first European exploration began in 1772 with the arrival of Pedro Fages, a Spanish soldier and explorer, who later served as the first Lieutenant Governor of the California province. Fresno County, established in 1856 after the California Gold Rush, was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
The area's first European exploration began in 1772 with the arrival of Pedro Fages, a Spanish soldier and explorer, who later served as the first Lieutenant Governor of the California province. Fresno County, established in 1856 after the California Gold Rush, was... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles