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GSA unveils design renderings for Ashley U.S. Courthouse annex

February 16, 2021

CHICAGO – The U.S. General Services Administration today unveiled the design for the new annex at the James M. Ashley and Thomas W.L. Ashley U.S. Courthouse in Toledo, Ohio. The design uses glass to pay tribute to Toledo’s historic role in the nation’s glass industry.

Design drawing for the planned Ashley U.S. Courthouse Annex from the Spielbusch Street view
Design drawing for the planned Ashley U.S. Courthouse annex looking southeast from Spielbusch Street

When complete, the new annex and upgrades of the Ashley U.S. Courthouse will meet the long-term space requirements for the Judiciary and the Department of Justice.

Rendering of the design drawing of the interior 2nd Floor Courtroom walkway and stairwell of the planned annex for the Ashley U.
Design drawing of the interior 2nd Floor Courtroom walkway and stairwell for the planned annex of the Ashley U.S. Courthouse

Project details:

  • The $86 million project allows GSA to construct a nearly 96,000-square-foot courthouse annex and make significant upgrades to the existing historic Ashley U.S. Courthouse.
  • The design of the new courthouse complex is rooted in reuse and improvement of existing assets and architectural elements. The annex design uses glass to convey the concept of transparency in the judicial process and stone to enhance compatibility with the existing historic courthouse.
  • Fronting onto Spielbusch Avenue, the "Glass Porch” of the annex reveals a double-height public circulation atrium leading to the four District Courts. This structure celebrates the glass manufacturing heritage of Toledo and maximizes natural daylight, views and visual connection to the Civic Mall.
  • The proposed design includes solar array panels and meets GSA's energy and greenhouse gas reduction goals.
  • GSA anticipates that construction of the annex will be complete in 2023, and the renovation of and upgrades to the existing courthouse will be complete in 2024.
Rendering of design drawing for the planned Ashley U.S. Courthouse Annex on left and original courthouse right
Design drawing for the planned Ashley U.S. Courthouse annex on left and original courthouse right

About GSA: GSA provides centralized procurement for the federal government, managing a real estate portfolio of more than 370 million rentable square feet nationwide and overseeing approximately $68 billion in annual contracts. GSA’s mission is to deliver value and savings in real estate, acquisition, technology, and other mission-support services across government, in support of the Biden-Harris administration’s four priorities of climate change, COVID response, economic recovery and diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information, visit GSA.gov and follow us at @USGSA and @GSAGreatLakes.

Last Reviewed: 2021-06-10