CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.—A major new chapter in Chattanooga’s civic landscape is underway as the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), alongside federal, state and local officials, celebrated the October 21 groundbreaking of a new 191,000-square-foot federal courthouse designed by HOK.
The approximately $282 million project will bring the U.S. District Court and U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee, along with the Circuit Library and key federal partners, under one roof in a classically inspired facility designed to serve the region for decades to come.
Serving as HOK’s latest federal justice project, the courthouse will blend the timeless qualities of classical civic architecture with the security, technology and operational requirements of a modern judicial complex. The building will feature seven courtrooms, nine judges’ chambers, secure interior parking and dedicated space for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and U.S. Marshals Service.
“This courthouse will stand as an institution of dignity, stability and justice, and as part of the enduring federal legacy we pass on to future generations,” said GSA Administrator Edward C. Forst during the groundbreaking ceremony.
For Chattanooga’s federal judiciary, the milestone represents the culmination of years of planning and advocacy.
“This ceremony marks the culmination of decades of hope and effort into reality,” said Chief Judge Travis R. McDonough of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee. “Together, we will create a premier civic and architectural landmark, a testament to our city’s history and prominence as well as our nation’s commitment to equal justice.”
As designer of record, HOK is leading a project team focused on creating a secure, welcoming and enduring civic landmark that reflects the importance of the federal judiciary while strengthening Chattanooga’s downtown core. The courthouse is envisioned not only as a center for legal proceedings, but also as a prominent public building that reinforces confidence in the judicial system through thoughtful design and civic presence.
Brasfield & Gorrie is serving as Construction Manager as Constructor, while fs3|Hodges is providing Construction Manager as Advisor services. Site work is scheduled to begin in early 2027, with full construction commencing later that year. The project is expected to reach substantial completion in 2030.
Once complete, the new courthouse will provide a consolidated, state-of-the-art home for federal judicial operations in Eastern Tennessee while establishing a significant architectural landmark on Chattanooga’s civic skyline.
