Transamerica Pyramid
600 Montgomery Street
San Francisco
Since its completion in
1972, the Transamerica Pyramid has become
one of the most recognized buildings in
the United States. It's distinctive shape
dominates the San Francisco skyline and
is visible from most parts of town. To
many people, it is an icon of San
Francisco on par with the Golden
Gate Bridge or
the city's famous cable cars.
The 48-story office tower,
designed by William Pereira &
Associates, stretches 853 feet above the
street and is topped by a 212-foot
needle-shaped spire. The spire is lit
from within and seems to glow once
evening falls. The change in the
building's dimensions as it rises from
the street is dramatic: each of the lower
floors offer 22,000 square feet of space
while the floors at the top have a mere
45 square feet.
