Transamerica Building

The Transamerica building has become as large of an icon in San Francisco as the Golden Gate Bridge.  Its become a symbol of San Francisco and its unique architecture. The building is the largest skyscraper in San Francisco and was built in 1972 and is the 37th tallest building in the world.  I mean, just look at that unique shape!

View from Top of the Mark while drinking cocktails

View from the bottom...and you can see the crescent moon to the left!

Here's 10 fun facts about the building:

1. At 853 feet tall, it is currently San Francisco’s tallest building — that is, until the Salesforce Tower (which will be 1,100 feet tall) is complete.  
2. There are 48 floors, 15 passenger elevators, 3 freight elevators, and 3,678 windows.
3. Because of the shape of the building, the majority of the windows can pivot 360 degrees so they can be washed from the inside.
4. There used to be a public observation deck on the 27th floor, but it was closed after 9/11.
5. The conference room (with 360 degree views of the city) is located on the 48th floor and can be booked for $400-600 dollars…an hour.
6. The beacon at the tip is 6,000-watts and lit on special occasions, while the red aircraft light is a 1,000-watt high-voltage neon lamp required by the FAA.
7. It was designed by architect William Pereira and faced a lot of controversy while being built, even called “Pereira’s Prick.”
8. The shape of the building is in part due to Transamerica CEO John R. Beckett wanting to allow more natural light on the street below.
9. Construction began in 1969 and the first tenants moved in during the summer of 1972 and the building is covered in crushed white quartz, giving it its pure white color.
10. The Gold Rush ship The Niantic is located underground just a few feet away from the base of the Pyramid.

If you'd like to learn more and find out where I got these facts, click here.

Its so so tall!

An observation deck on the 27th floor was closed after the September 11, 2001 attacks, and replaced by the virtual observation deck. So this is all you get now :(

And then I found this cute little park next to it! Such an oasis in the heart of Chinatown/Financial District!

I'm not sure if this is creepy or cute....

A plaque for the park

Its so tall compared to the rest of the buildings!