Transamerica Pyramid

I'm in the furniture business, fortunately I am in most buildings and all floors in SF and probably have thee most incredible picture collection anywhere . This beautiful landmark is just all Class. I saw the biggest conference room table of my career up there ,unbelievable. Everyone from maintenance on up is very polite and helpful, which made our two day time slot happen .

Beautiful…. Fabulous remodel! And the gardens are stunning… so peaceful and relaxing! Love it! Can’t wait until the restaurant opens…. I’m definitely looking forward to going!

It is people’s tower of San Francisco ! It’s a temple as a lighthouse , promising safe harbor to all; it’s lobby on street level is now open to the public; comfortable sofas strewn about the for the denizens to take in the city as they sip coffee at the new cafe inside. Modern and warm design ; the profusion of flowers are colorful and well tended . Jeanine their lobby security is great ! Love the cappuccino here !

Very unique looking building that stands out across the skyline. It’s not obvious or advertised that the lobby is open to the public however.

San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid is a must-see landmark, but it's not an attraction you can enter. Its distinctive pyramid shape makes it a beloved icon and a great orienting point as you explore the city. Relax in the Redwood Park at its base, but be aware there's no public observation deck and the building is closed to visitors. Nevertheless, the Transamerica Pyramid remains a significant part of the San Francisco skyline, offering a fantastic photo opportunity.

Iconic building for San Francisco. Not the tallest building, but easy to recognize and see from most places in the city.

Update...wanted to check out the observation deck this visit to San Francisco, and we found out that it has unfortunately been closed for years. We settled for a couple more pictures from the car instead, such a cool piece of architecture... The Transamerica Pyramid is the most famous and coolest building within the San Francisco skyline. While it's no longer Transamerica's main headquarters, the company still holds a presence within this landmark building. We didn't do the official tour during our visit to the area, but my son was thrilled none the less to get a picture in front of this amazing building while standing in the Chinatown section of San Francisco!

The Concrete Pyramid's Long Shadow: Reconsidering San Francisco's Most Controversial Icon In the pantheon of American architectural statements, few buildings have generated as much sustained discourse as William Pereira's Transamerica Pyramid. Rising 853 feet above San Francisco's Financial District, its stark geometrical presence - now softened by mature street trees and time - continues to provoke questions about urban identity, architectural ambition, and the evolving nature of civic monuments. When completed in 1972 at a cost of $75 million (approximately $500 million in today's terms), the building represented both technological triumph and cultural friction. Its innovative engineering - including a concrete foundation extending 52 feet below street level and an aluminum spire that functions as a tuned mass damper - established new paradigms for seismic resilience. Yet its brash modernity and corporate symbolism sparked intense local resistance, echoing contemporary debates about tech wealth and urban character. The building's white quartz-clad exterior, which still maintains its pristine appearance after five decades, masks a complex legacy. While its double-skin facade and efficient HVAC systems were ahead of their time environmentally, the structure's overall carbon footprint remains substantial. Recent sustainability upgrades, while laudable, highlight broader questions about adapting late-20th-century corporate architecture for climate challenges. Ownership transitions have reflected shifting global capital flows. The 2020 sale to New York developer Michael Shvo and Deutsche Finance America for $650 million marked the first time the building changed hands since its construction, raising questions about preservation and adaptive reuse. Current vacancy rates, hovering around 20%, mirror broader challenges facing downtown San Francisco's post-pandemic recovery. Yet the Pyramid's relationship with its neighborhood has evolved in unexpected ways. The wide base wings that create its distinctive X-shaped foundation have generated vibrant public spaces, while Pereira's dramatic V-shaped ground-floor supports create a human-scale arcade that engages street life. The building's tapered form, originally conceived to allow more light and air to reach street level, demonstrates how controversial design choices can yield enduring urban benefits. Recent investigations have surfaced historical connections between the project's financing and complex international business relationships of the 1970s, though allegations of impropriety remain unsubstantiated. More relevant to contemporary discourse is the building's role in ongoing debates about corporate architecture's civic responsibilities and the preservation of controversial monuments. Looking up at the Pyramid today, one sees not just an architectural icon but a mirror reflecting five decades of urban evolution. Its strengths and flaws - the innovative engineering, the environmental challenges, the contested symbolism - embody the contradictions of American urban development. As San Francisco grapples with questions of equity, sustainability, and identity, the Transamerica Pyramid stands as both warning and inspiration: a reminder that architectural ambition must be matched by civic responsibility. The building's true legacy may lie not in its dramatic form but in the questions it continues to provoke about power, place, and the purpose of landmark architecture in our changing cities. In an era of climate crisis and social reckoning, these questions feel more urgent than ever.

With new installations including art pieces and cozy furnishings, this the new spot to hang out in the City! They also have a little coffee bar inside with beverages and pastries you can purchase. The price is personally a bit steep for me but the quality and taste is there. To visit the coffee/lobby area you have to visit on weekdays during open hours, but the outside area is open to the public everyday. Park Hours: daily from sunrise to sunset Pyramid Center Hours: Wednesday to Saturday 11am - 5pm; Sunday 12pm - 6pm (these are listed on the website but I think they open earlier because I visited around 08:30am)

The Transamerica Building had stood the test of time and is one if not the most iconic buildings in San Francisco and in the world. Its unique design building shaped as a pyramid makes it unforgettable. I attended to the Transamerica Pyramid Center icon remastered night event. The inside of the Transamerica building has a museum of building structures from all around the world. So many great innovating designed building models on display. The outside of the Transamerica building was a party with music, open bar and lots of tasty foods. The atmosphere was vibrant and everyone was excited to celebrate in the FiDi in San Francisco. This is what San Francisco should be all about the fun for locals and visitors to enjoy a good time. Although this is second tallest building in San Francisco it's also the most classy, historic, and stylish building in the city. My favorite San Francisco building in person and on paper It's a transformative to the San Francisco skyline the remastered Transamerica Pyramid master skyscraper

Certainly it's the most famous building in San Francisco if not counting the Golden Gate Bridge. If looking for icons of the city you have to see it. The Transamerica Pyramid is one of the buildings that for sure is unique. Has a lot of history to it and how it came to be made. You probably can't get inside it but you can get a close up look from outside it though. Building has pretty interesting architecture. It's certainly different looking than every building around it. This was the new headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation when it opened. Has a lot of history in the local banking industry. This is located on the site of AP. Giannini's Bank Of Italy, which later became Bank Of America, another big ass banking company with lots of money. Giannini later founded Transamerica in 1928 as a holding company. This building was designed by futurist architect William Pereira. Construction began in 1969 and was completed in 1972, making it the tallest building west of Chicago. Later the Transamerica Company left but the building was still here. This now is office space for many other companies so it still has a purpose. Has a cool outside that gets lit up in several colors. It's better to look at when it's night or later. The only bad thing is it's off limits for visitors.

ive got to see the renovation, it's been a long time since grandma sitting me on the foundation of that building telling me complex issues about it's history. apparently James lick wanted a pyramid in San Francisco. I think it needs some hotel rooms there. could happen right?

Transamerica pyramid recently underwent a renovation and the new lobby/cafe area and patio is lovely! It's open to the public and beautifully designed. I'll definitely be back to do some work here!

One of the most recognizable buildings amid the San Francisco skyline, 48 stories high with a pointy top noticeable from afar, the recently renovated Transamerica Pyramid is a pretty remarkable landmark. I've never been inside, but it's still a sight to see up close. Our recent visit this past weekend was brief as there's not much to do around here besides spending a few minutes checking out the building and the redwood park behind it, which is beautiful by the way. Barring special events like its recent reopening there's nothing flashy about this structure, but it's still an iconic and unique skyscraper.

The Transamerica Pyramid is a 48-story pyramid-shaped skyscraper in SF's Financial District. It was the tallest building in San Francisco for 46 years, from the time it was completed in 1972 until 2018 when the Salesforce Tower became SF's tallest building. Built originally to be the Headquarters for Transamerica Corporation, TAC moved its HQ to a building across the street. The Pyramid is still associated with the company that built it by being depicted on the company's logo. A layer of crushed quartz that covers the building is the reason for its sparkling white color. The Pyramid's shape is optimal for skyscrapers because it lets more air and light through to the adjacent streets. The shape also allows the tower to be quite a lot taller than if it had a more conventional design. The top of the Pyramid is covered with aluminum panels. On certain special days (Independence Day, the anniversary of 9/11, and during the Christmas holidays), a bright beacon called the "Crown Jewel" is lit at the very top. Over the years since it was completed, this very unique skyscraper somehow slowly morphed from an object of dislike and disdain to a beloved San Francisco icon. Perhaps it's because the skyscrapers that were built afterward are so mundane and boring. Who's to say?

They filmed some scenes for zodiac and invasion of the body snatchers here. I love driving toward it and watching it grow larger and larger as I get closer. Though not as popular as Golden Gate Bridge or Alcatraz I used to love this building when I lived in SF. It used to be the tallest building before the sales force tower but is better IMO because of the cool shape. It's a tall stretched pyramid and stands out a lot from all the boxy buildings nearby l.

You can't look at a photo of the San Francisco skyline and not see this building. Before the Salesforce Tower opened up, the Transamerica Pyramid was the tallest building in SF when it was completed in 1972 (it has 48 floors). I'm such an architecture geek and love the design of this building. It is a four-sided pyramid with a 200 ft tall spire on top. The two wings on each side of the building house elevator shafts. There is a small park at the bottom that is shaded with redwood trees. I recently stood underneath it for the first time and enjoyed staring up at all the crisscross columns and beams that make up the base of the building. The Transamerica Pyramid can be seen from all over SF. Some of the best photos I've taken of it are from Coit Tower at night.

The Transamerica Pyramid has been an iconic San Francisco skyscraper due to its futurist design since its completion in 1972. In fact, it was the tallest building in San Francisco for 46 years until the Salesforce Tower opened in 2018. I liked how you can look down from one end of Columbus Ave and see the Pyramid at the end of the street. I was fortunate after all these years to finally go up the Pyramid to visit a friend at his office. Though I wasn't at the top floor, the views from the 27th floor were amazing. If you have the chance to visit, I would highly recommend.

This is another landmark in the beautiful city of San Francisco. It sits in the downtown area, and easily spotted due to its pyramidal shape. I've driven by it almost every time I've visited San Francisco. The area around this building has the same feel as a typical office building in any city. The lobby is decorated with a holiday feel towards the end of the year. I've never accessed the upper floors, but I'm assuming they're mostly businesses. Although I didn't find anything over-the-top about visiting here, it is worth a visit when checking out the landmarks in SF.

This building is the staple of SF. It's seen throughout the world...throughout movies, postcards, magazines, and every social media platform imaginable. It's located in the FiDi. it's an amazing building to take a few interesting/creative photo shots.

The tallest and most iconic skyscraper in San Francisco is the Transamerica Pyramid. Upon completion in 1972 this building was the 5th tallest building in the world at 853 feet tall. Today the building has dropped to #188. The architect, William Pereira, designed the four-sided pyramid with two "wings" on either side to accommodate an elevator shaft on the east and a stairwell and a smoke tower on the west. The building facade is covered in crushed quartz, giving the building its pure white color. Unfortunately, the observation deck on the 27th floor was closed after September 11th and replaced with a virtual observation deck. Only the first floor of the building is open to the public.

Every city has its 'architectural gem' right? San Fran's is pretty obvious, but one should not ignore the Transamerica Pyramid in the financial district. It's truly a beautiful building with its swooping sides and window details. We wandered right up to it on our way towards the Ferry Building but I love that you can see the pyramid from so many hilltops around the city too. The best view of the entire building is probably the one you see walking down Columbus Ave. so be sure to check it out on your next walk through the area.

I love unique buildings and the Pyramid with its pointed top is that. You can see it from pretty much all over town. It is a major San Francisco landmark for a reason. Inside is just office space. So for most people it is all about the view, because there is not much opportunity to go up. I would love a tour. It has got to have great views. I heard though from a woman who's dad had worked there that the inside it feels like a normal building. The slanted sides are so slight she didn't even notice them inside. Until I get that tour I will enjoy the views of it from a distant.

Another iconic landmark that symbolizes San Francisco and was it's tallest building until 2017 when the Salesforce Tower was built.

Rather overcast for much of the day, but this iconic structure is visible from all around San Francisco. Other than the GGB, it is the symbol of the city. For the moment, it remains the tallest building in the city. Sadly, the observation deck was closed after 9/11. Which is very unfortunate because the views from up there (on a clear day) must be spectacular.

When it's not being featured in The Pursuit of Happyness or other films/tv shows, this building is the most iconic in SF and dominates any skyline picture you will see. Worth the visit!

Certainly a unique architecture in the skyline of San Francisco amongst the "modern" hi-rise condo buildings that look like an over-sized air conditioning unit. For the moment this is the tallest building in San Francisco. The pyramid shape on the sides of the building are noticeable when driving in from the Bay Area or viewing from Dolores Park in The Mission district. It's in the financial district of San Francisco so I'm sure most of the tenants in the building are financial company related. Luckily I know someone who works security at this building so I was able to go up the building as a guest since normally you need a keycard for the elevator. It was nice watching the 4th of July fireworks at Pier 39 from the 27th floor of this building. It would've been even better at the 48th floor since it practically has a 360 degree view outside, but it was too foggy up there.

Our office was in the bottom of the TransAmerica Pyramid and I got to go up to the top a bunch of times. Neat place. Not the most luxurious office building anymore - needs some new carpeting on certain floors, but what a famous place. And, as said before, a great landmark. It makes the SF Skyline what it is.

Cute little gift shop with the history of the building. I wouldn't travel out of the way for it, but perfectly fine stop on your walking tour through SF. I'm grateful for the effort, but it would be so lovely if the public can access the view deck at the top.

Such a beautiful view of San Francisco. I've always wanted to visit the Transamerica, and finally the opportunity presented itself when my boyfriend had a cocktail reception for his work here! It was a breathtaking view on the 48th floor of the remarkable and alluring San Francisco, I never wanted to leave! Let me just add that the service was excellent and the hors d'oeuvre they served were extremely delicious. Highly recommend if you have the opportunity to visit!

this building can be seen when passing to Chinatown from financial District it is a Iconic structure for the sfo city, redwood park is just backside of the building where few concerts take place as per the schedules and there is small store where we can find few keychain n books and stationary stuff I see they are not much quality n quite pricy too. Only the key chains are cheap.

Flushed blonde jumps into a cab at 7:27 am. "The Transamerica building please, as fast as you can." Driver surges gas up Union Street, turns his head to look at me and says, "You mean around the building? Like a block away?" No, dude. I mean the actual Transamerica building. Because that's where I work! Ah, its so loverly. I first was on the 8th floor, but we switched our floors around, with most of the floor moving down to 3rd (talk about shrinkage) or up to 16th. I was part of the masses that had to suck in their pride and hit "3"on the elevator, which is just not nearly as cool when you're in THE tallest building in the city. Lame. But I have an awesome boss that gave me the coveted office with a view of the redwood forest and fountain that lay in the shadows of the building. It is just beautiful to have that, and not some icky gray cube. And the tourists aren't that bad. Usually they are just taking pictures, getting info from the super helpful front door guides (better weather predictions than anything I know), and don't get in your face. As for the views, duh, they are extraordinary. Not a shabby place to work. Plus you can take the elevators (I think anyone can) to the 28th floor and check out the bay, Tele Hill, North Beach and Chi-Town from there. Super rad. So I might not have a Google-tastic cafeteria, or a Yelp-stocked fridge (I do miss Val!!) but at least I have a tall phallic symbol for my Ann Taylor suits to call home. Loves it!

A landmark and familiar shape in the SF skyline. Made the top 25 buildings 2007 list.

Growing up, the building made me feel like I lived in a city of super heroes. Can't explain why... but it did. Never could get to North Beach to find it either. I was a small boy. Now I am a man. But I still believe this is a city of superheroes.

Transamerica! Awesome iconic sf building but you can't go up it :( no restaurants inside just an office building

I always think that this TP building looks like an automatic tooth-brush. A very familiar landmark; your neck will get a work-out as you eye this SF landmark up close.

Accessible only to building tenants and select visitors since it's housed in the garage level of the Pyramid. Cute little old lady watches over the 8' x 8' shop, which is labeled on the elevator directory as the "smoke shop." How retro! Anyway, they supposedly sell cigarettes for relatively cheap (so I hear, not that it matters to me). And they have all sorts of candy available as well as snack items (including shrimp chips!). Greeting cards and newspapers too. Just a bunch of random stuff that's nice and convenient. Too bad they close at 5, right before my shrimp chip craving usually kicks in.

You are so tall and pointy! You make me laugh. What you doing after work?

I happened to go into the lobby here because a strange man was following me and there weren't many people out and most of the shops were closed. I asked the guy at the desk if I could just stay there for a minute until I was confident I was no longer being followed. He told me to leave and to call the police myself, so I went to the fire station around the corner instead. I would not have done any of that unless I really feared for my safety but the guy in there treated me like a nuisance or like it was my fault that I had been followed.

Love this building and the architecture. It's the SF landmark. Not sure if the company 'Transamerica' is existing in this building or not; but other businesses operate in the building.

When you approach this building from Colombus Avenue, a fun optical illusion occurs. It appears to get wider at the base. I was working there when an earthquake occured 34 years ago and my typewriter stand rattled the typewriter. I was on the 36th floor. It was no biggie, but a tale to tell nonetheless. The exterior of the building is fun to look at.

This is the worst place to do deliveries. There was one idiot company in this building who ordered groceries from Costco. They just say to go to the dumb Messenger Center. What about parking? They have an underground garage. Nope, won't let you. You have to risk getting a ticket out on the streets. This stupid company barely ordered anything in the first place. Yet they want somebody else to go through the hassle of delivering their cheap groceries. What a bunch of morons. The security detail in this building are also lowlifes. Barely get any help from them. All they want is your i.d card. B.S

got a chance to visit the building on for a job interview. The building is very clean, and very well designed. get on the higher floors, and you see NOTHING but an astonishing view of the bay, and the bridge. And as soon as the fog starts rolling in, you'd actually feel like you're among the clouds ... Simply amazing.

This building is awesome. If you ask me it is one of the cities most popular landmarks. I really would like to go to the top and look at the view. The history behind the building is great. Most people don't know that the original Transamerica building is across the street. Again, I hope to get to go to the top of this building one of these days.

THE best building management a tenant could ask for! People are super helpful, fun and friendly!

The easiest building to pick out crossing the Bay Bridge. That, and Coit Tower.

I started a new job on Monday, in the Transamerica building. My last office was in equally iconic Rockefeller Center; as in the skating rink, the Today Show, the crowds of tourists etc...you know, 30 Rock. Everybody knows 30 Rock. There is the problem. Just try to pop outside for a quick bite and a coffee. You'll have to elbow your way past the folks stepping on each other as they try to hold their signs in view of Willard Scott and the NBC cameras, then you'll have to part the sea of gawkers trying to get the perfect photograph of that infernal Christmas tree (as if none has ever seen a Christmas tree before. You all have the same thing at home folks, just smaller) and when you finally get to the carry-out, you're stuck in line behind a family from Iowa as they make the deli staff explain a knish. Price of life in the big city right? But now that I'm in the Transamerica, when I leave the lobby I see...well not much at all. People are actually working (or going to and from anyway) and are in the same hurry I'm in. Not the gauntlet of tourists I came to loath. And I still get to work in a building I can point out to friends because it's in every third movie we rent.

This is a stupendous and striking building to behold and is in a very people - busy area including the Chinatown area. There are other, very important buildings in the area of this structure and same are owned by notable and smart real estate people. When wondering about it, I have not a single idea about who is actually in this building, but it is indeed a great site and great place to meet people, for groups to gather, and should be a stop on any tour of town here, especially given its proximity to Pacific Avenue and North Beach. Really nice.

48th floor is an outstanding location for small corporate meetings or cocktail parties. One of the best venues in the City. Very helpful staff as well.