Union Iron Works Turbine Machine Shop, 2200 Webster Street, Alameda, Alameda County, CA

Significance: The Union Iron Works Turbine Machine Shop building is both historically and architecturally significant. As the nucleus of a major West Coast shipyard which made important contributions to ship building in both world wars, the large structure was first utilized (World War I) for production of reciprocating engines, diesel engines and marine turbines and, subsequently (during the Depression and World War II), for fabricating structural steel for a number of important buildings and structures on the West Coast and in parts of ship building. The building, the only known major industrial design by the locally prominent architect, John Reid, Jr., is an impressive example of a large, open-plan industrial structure with vast interior spaces made possible by the use of steel trusses and steel frame construction and by curtain walls that lighted and ventilated the huge spaces. Its architectural quality is derived from its simplicity of structure, massing and detail; its curtain walls; and its straightforward response to its function.
Unprocessed Field note material exists for this structure: FN-12
Survey number: HAER CA-43
Building/structure dates: 1917 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: after 1956 Demolished
Building/structure dates: ca. 1940 Subsequent Work