Phoenix Federal Building and Post Office
From its inception, the federal building on the corner of Central Avenue and Fillmore has never quite served its intended purpose. Originally commissioned as a six-story structure, the end result was two stories. Designed to house all of the federal agencies in Phoenix when it was built, it became home to only nine. Phoenix had already outgrown the capacity of the post office by the time the building was completed in 1936, and the location was far from downtown at the time.
Today, a post office branch still operates on the first floor, but the federal agencies have given way to ASU student services offices as part of the university’s downtown Phoenix campus. The building is one of thirteen sites on ASU’s four campuses that have been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Despite its troubled beginnings, the federal building acts as a landmark in Phoenix’s development and history. The decision to locate the building north of the existing downtown helped direct the expansion of Phoenix in that direction, and the over 1 million dollars the federal government supplied for the project (equivalent to over $15 million today, adjusted for inflation) represented a significant investment in the city.
Designed by Phoenix architects Lescher & Mahoney, the federal building also stands out architecturally as a fine example of Spanish Colonial Revival style. Arched windows, beautifully landscaped grounds, and murals decorating the interior make the site a good deal more attractive than one might expect from a government building.
Though not exactly thrilling in its past or present incarnation and purpose, the federal building stands as a well-preserved reminder of the era when Phoenix first rose to national prominence. Its combination of functionality, aesthetic appeal, and historical significance make it a valuable part of the downtown environment.
