Before the Boom

E. Guy Warren Hall, commonly known as Warren Hall, was a 13-story building at California State University, East Bay, named for E. Guy Warren, a Hayward trucking businessman who helped convince the state to open its Alameda County campus in Hayward. It was the tallest building in Hayward, followed by the abandoned City Center Building in the downtown area. The building was visible from cities throughout the Bay Area, and served as a landmark for Hayward and the East Bay.

Built a scant 2000 feet from the Hayward faultline. Warren Hall was rated the least earthquake-safe building in the California State University (CSU) system by the CSU Seismic Review Board. In January 2013, the CSU Board of Trustees authorized $50 million to demolish the former administrative building and replace it with a new structure. Warren Hall was demolished by implosion on August 17, 2013.

The building was an example of the Brutalist style of architecture that was popular at the time of its construction. The implosion was witnessed by many from a variety of locations. Warren Hall is greatly missed.