A Landmark Renewed: Celebrating the Rehabilitation and Modernization of the Historic Jesse Unruh Office Building

Originally built between 1922 and 1928, the 172,000-sq.-ft. Jesse Unruh State Office Building has long been a defining presence within the Capitol Extension District. The recently completed renovation and modernization marks a major milestone for one of California’s most iconic civic landmarks, representing years of planning and coordination guided by a shared goal: preserving the building’s historic character while transforming it into a modern, flexible and efficient workplace.

At the heart of this project was a commitment to preserving the architectural legacy that defines the Jesse Unruh Office Building. Once called State Office Building Number One, the building has been thoughtfully renewed to reflect both its historic significance and its enduring role in California’s civic life.

The project team approached rehabilitation with care and craftsmanship, focusing on the character-defining features that convey the building’s historic significance. The terra cotta façade was repaired and refinished, historic wood windows were restored, and intricate plaster ceilings and marble finishes—particularly in the first-floor lobby—were preserved to reflect the original 1920’s design. The historic fountain was restored and capped off with the installation of a replicated fountainhead. These efforts ensured the building’s exterior and interior legacy remain intact for generations to come.

While honoring its past, the Jesse Unruh Office Building was fully reimagined to meet the needs of a modern workplace. Through a Progressive Design-Build process, DPR’s project team, including Treanor (AOR) and Perkins&Will, delivered building-wide improvements, including fire-life safety upgrades, accessibility compliance, and the complete replacement of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

The renewed building now features upgraded lobbies, a large boardroom and training rooms, modernized break spaces, and bicycle storage. These renovations are designed to improve the daily experience for the hundreds of workers who rely on the facility, creating an environment that supports collaboration, efficiency and flexibility.

Sustainability was embedded in every decision. With a Net-Zero Energy system and a design targeting LEED Platinum certification, the Jesse Unruh Office Building demonstrates that historic structures can meet the highest environmental standards while preserving their unique identity.

Collaboration was central to the project’s success. DPR’s Virtual Design and Construction (VDC) team played a key role from project onset, using early modeling to understand existing conditions, maintain ceiling heights and protecting critical design features.

“This project wasn’t just about construction for us, it was about giving the people who serve California a workplace they can feel proud of,” said Aaron Schwartz, DPR’s Sacramento Preconstruction Executive. “Knowing we played a part in delivering this modernized space to the people of California is what makes this project special for us.”

DPR’s self-perform teams—including concrete, doors frames and hardware (DFH), Division 7, and specialties, drywall, casework, acoustics, and layout—brought both technical expertise and a deep respect for craftmanship to the project. The team embraced the opportunity to restore the building, learning from the craftspeople who came before them while applying modern construction methods. By self-performing key scopes, DPR maintained flexibility to address unforeseen conditions, such as undocumented structural elements, while preserving quality and schedule.

Early onboarding with trade partners supported full-scale mock-ups of offices and conference rooms to ensure constructability and to help refine material choices and avoid late-stage changes. Prefabrication was also used where possible, including preassembled plumbing carriers, enhancing quality and efficiency while respecting the constraints of the historic structure.

The renewal of the Jesse Unruh State Office Building is more than an upgrade—it is an investment in the community and the public servants who keep California moving. What was once an aging office structure has been transformed into a modern, efficient and inspiring place to work, while still honoring the architectural heritage that makes it an icon of Capitol. 

DPR Construction is proud to have delivered a building to the California Department of General Services (DGS) that reflects what is possible when thoughtful design, expert craftsmanship and a shared commitment to community come together. Now refreshed and renewed, the Jesse Unruh Building is ready to better serve the state employees who use it every day.