Thomas F. Eagleton Courthouse, Saint Louis

The Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse is the principal federal courthouse serving the Eastern District of Missouri and the headquarters of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. Completed in 2000, it was named in honor of Thomas F. Eagleton, a longtime United States senator who represented Missouri for nearly three decades.

The courthouse replaced older federal judicial facilities, bringing the district's courts and related offices together in a single modern complex. Designed by the architectural firm Hellmuth, Obata + Kassabaum (HOK), the courthouse features a contemporary design with a precast concrete and glass exterior engineered to resemble natural limestone. Rising 29 stories to a height of 557 feet, including its stainless steel dome, it is the largest courthouse in the United States by square footage and the tallest courthouse building in the country. Inside are courtrooms, judges' chambers, offices for federal agencies, and public spaces finished with natural stone, wood, and commissioned works of art. The design emphasizes natural light, efficient circulation, and modern security and technology.

Although it primarily serves a judicial function, the Thomas F. Eagleton United States Courthouse is an important part of the area's civic landscape and skyline. Visitors exploring the surrounding government district can appreciate its modern architecture and its role in the federal court system. The building also reflects the continued development of the civic center, where historic public buildings stand alongside contemporary government institutions.