Governor Wes Moore, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, Secretary Atif Chaudhry, the Department of General Services (DGS), Supreme Court of Maryland Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader, Appellate Court of Maryland Chief Judge Gregory Wells, and Coakley & Williams Construction (CWC) recently gathered to break ground on Maryland’s new, state-of-the-art Supreme Court building. The ceremony, attended by more than 100 guests, marks a significant milestone in a project nearly a decade in the making. It is also the only state supreme court currently under construction anywhere in the nation.
With the groundbreaking complete, Bethesda-based CWC will immediately begin construction. The project is expected to be completed within approximately 36 months at an estimated total cost of $147 million. The six-story, 217,000-square-foot facility, designed by Fentress Studios, a Populous Company, will serve as the home of both the Supreme Court of Maryland and the Appellate Court of Maryland.
Designed as a fully electric building, the new courthouse will operate without fossil fuels and is targeted to achieve LEED Silver certification, underscoring the state’s commitment to sustainability. The facility will also feature enhanced security and life-safety systems to safeguard judges, staff, and visitors. The project surpasses Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) and Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) participation goals, achieving 40.27 percent and 10.07 percent respectively — representing approximately $73.9 million in subcontracting value.
“Today is not just about what we’re building, it’s about who we’re building it for—the Marylanders who serve at our state’s Supreme Court and Appellate Court,” said Gov. Moore. “The Marylanders who will work here are public servants in the truest sense of that title, and the space and place where they work must reflect the ambitions we want to see in our judicial system. While most of our citizens will never step foot in this building, every Marylander will feel the impact of the decisions made inside it, which is why this generational investment matters.”
“This new Maryland Supreme Court will stand as a symbol of fairness, transparency, and equal access under the law,” said Lt. Governor Aruna Miller. “By building a fully electric, sustainable facility that exceeds our minority and veteran-owned business participation goals, we are showing that progress and equity can go hand in hand. I am proud to join Governor Moore and our partners in delivering a courthouse that reflects our values and will serve Marylanders for generations to come.”
“This groundbreaking represents a proud milestone for our entire team as we take a significant step toward realizing a truly generational project,” said DGS Secretary Atif Chaudhry. “It reflects our unwavering commitment to delivering a state-of-the-art, environmentally responsible facility that will serve Marylanders for decades to come. I am deeply grateful to our dedicated DGS team and our partners, whose collaboration over the past several years has moved this vision from concept to reality—while advancing our shared priorities of sustainability and expanding opportunities for minority- and veteran-owned businesses.”
“The new home for Maryland’s appellate courts and the Thurgood Marshall State Law Library will stand as an appropriate reflection of the State’s commitment to the rule of law and to equal justice under law. It will serve the people of Maryland for generations to come. We appreciate the support of the Governor’s Office, the Maryland Department of General Services, and the General Assembly in making today’s groundbreaking a reality,” said Supreme Court of Maryland Chief Justice Matthew J. Fader. “We look forward to the opening of the new courthouse as we continue to pursue the Judiciary’s mission of providing fair, efficient, and effective justice for all.”
“The Maryland Judiciary is committed to providing the best possible service to all users of our court system,” said Appellate Court of Maryland Chief Judge Gregory Wells. “The new Supreme Court of Maryland building will stand as a testament to the strength of our judicial system and to our duty to ensure that justice remains fair, impartial, and accessible to all.”
“It is an honor to partner once again with the State of Maryland and Maryland DGS on a project of this magnitude and significance,” said Greg Harraka, President, Coakley & Williams Construction. “Our CWC team is proud to help deliver a Supreme Court building that reflects the strength, integrity, and future of Maryland’s judicial system.”
“The new Maryland Supreme Court was designed with the goal of creating a civic landmark that reflects the strength, transparency and values of the state’s judicial system,” said Steve White, Principal for Fentress Studios, a Populous Company. “This project allowed us to combine timeless design with fully electric, sustainable systems and advanced safety features to deliver a courthouse that will serve the people of Maryland for decades to come.”
