The Transamerica Pyramid Center, towering over San Francisco since 1972, has been a defining feature of the city’s skyline. Designed by renowned architect William Pereira, the building embodies futurism and ambition. Standing at 853 feet (260 meters), it was the tallest building in San Francisco until 2017.
Transamerica Pyramid Center Technical Information
- Renovation Architect: Foster + Partners
- Architects (1970s): William L. Pereira & Harry D. Som
- Location: 600 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California, USA
- Area: 499,000 sq ft | 46,400 m2
- Project Year: 1969 – 1972
- Renovation: 2020-2024
- Photographs: © Nigel Young
The new design revitalizes and restores the historic Redwood Park, while tying all three buildings together through a series of strategic interventions at ground level, creating a vibrant new destination in the heart of San Francisco, while respecting and celebrating the unique heritage of the site.
– Foster + Partners Architects
Transamerica Pyramid Center Photographs
Architectural Interventions: Respecting Heritage, Enhancing Functionality
The redevelopment represents a blend of innovation and respect for heritage, transforming the Pyramid into a modern, flexible space designed to meet the evolving needs of office tenants while maintaining its iconic status. The project also revitalizes Redwood Park, a unique natural space at the base of the Pyramid, further enhancing the connection between the building and its urban context.
The Transamerica Pyramid’s unique design—a modernist, four-sided pyramid with two “wings” to house elevator shafts and a smoke evacuation tower—remains one of its most distinct features. This redevelopment honors that architectural form while introducing modern updates to Two and Three Transamerica. The architectural team ensured that the Pyramid’s historical integrity was preserved while simultaneously upgrading the adjacent buildings to create a cohesive and contemporary office complex.
The redevelopment also includes significant updates to the base of the Pyramid, enhancing public access and creating a lively streetscape. The integration of new retail spaces and cafes ensures that the ground level becomes more inviting and usable, effectively linking the Pyramid to the adjacent buildings. The careful blend of modern interventions with the existing architectural language reflects a thoughtful approach to updating a landmark while maintaining its historical significance.
Reimagining the Workplace: Flexibility, Wellness, and Hospitality
The redesign of the Transamerica Pyramid Center aligns with current office design trends that prioritize flexibility and tenant well-being. The Pyramid’s office spaces are no longer rigid, uniform areas but are now conceived as dynamic environments where hospitality-grade services and comfort take precedence. The building features floors dedicated to wellness, including lounges and fitness spaces with panoramic views of San Francisco, offering tenants a work environment that integrates leisure, health, and productivity.
A notable addition is the exclusive private members’ club CORE, along with a rooftop bar and lounge at the top of the Pyramid, just below the spire. These spaces enhance the appeal of the building as a destination for both work and relaxation, ensuring that the Transamerica Pyramid remains a top choice for forward-thinking companies looking for a distinctive workplace environment. The redevelopment revitalizes the building physically and redefines what it means to work in an iconic structure.
Redwood Park and Urban Integration: Nature Meets Design
Redwood Park, a half-acre public space designed by Tom Galli, is one of the defining features of the Transamerica Pyramid Center. Planted initially with redwood trees transplanted from the Santa Cruz Mountains in 1974, the park offers a natural retreat within the urban fabric of San Francisco’s Financial District. The redevelopment revitalizes this green space, ensuring that it remains a vital component of the site while adding new features that enhance its usability and aesthetic appeal.
The park’s famed redwood trees continue to serve as a natural counterpoint to the Pyramid’s modernist architecture, symbolizing the harmony between nature and the built environment. The landscaping around the park is further activated with seasonal plantings and the revitalization of Mark Twain Street, which is lined with plum blossom trees and new cafes and shops at the base of the Pyramid. This redesign enhances the site’s urban integration, making it a vibrant destination for office tenants and the broader public.
Transamerica Pyramid Center Image Gallery
About Foster + Partners
Foster + Partners is a world-renowned architectural firm founded by Sir Norman Foster in 1967. It is known for its innovative and sustainable designs that blend technology, art, and function. With a global portfolio spanning civic, cultural, and commercial projects, the firm has been at the forefront of modern architecture and is responsible for iconic buildings such as the Gherkin in London, Apple Park in California, and the Reichstag in Berlin. Foster + Partners emphasizes environmentally responsible design, integrating cutting-edge technology to create spaces that are both aesthetically striking and highly functional.
About William L. Pereira
William L. Pereira was a visionary American architect and urban planner known for his futuristic and iconic designs that shaped the architectural landscape of the 20th century. Born in 1909, Pereira’s work spanned a variety of building types, from civic to commercial projects. He is best known for designing the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco, a defining feature of the city’s skyline. His innovative approach often fused modernist principles with bold, forward-thinking forms, and he was instrumental in projects such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art and the master plan for the city of Irvine, California.
Notes & Additional Credits
- Structural Engineers: Chin & Hensolt, Inc., Glumac International, Simonson & Simonson
- Main Contractor: Dinwiddie Construction Co. (now Hathaway Dinwiddie Construction Company
- Foundation: 9 ft (2.7 m) thick concrete base constructed in a 3-day, 24-hour continuous pour.
- Façade: Covered in crushed quartz, giving the building its signature light color.
- Spire: The top 212 ft (65 m) is the spire, with a hollow core lined with a 100-foot steel stairway at a 60-degree angle.
- Windows: 3,678 windows, most of which can pivot 360 degrees to be cleaned from the inside.
- Base Concrete Volume: 16,000 cubic yards (12,000 m³) of concrete and 300 miles (480 km) of steel rebar.
