Transamerica Pyramid
San Francisco, USA

HEIGHT: 260m/853 feet
FLOORS: 48 floors
COMPLETION: 1972
ARCHITECT: William Pereira

This is the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, and is also their corporate logo. The pyramid is flanked by a set of structures that look like wings. They start at the 29th floor and are both for form and function. The eastern wing is an elevator shaft. The western wing has a stairwell. Although this is San Francisco's tallest building, the pyramid isn't as tall as it looks. It only has 48 floors, but with the additional 212-foot aluminum spire, it is an powerful, yet friendly, presence in the city's skyline. More importantly, its tapered lines allow more sunlight to penetrate to street level in a city where the sun has to do almost daily battle with the fog.

http://tinypic.com/bzomr

http://tinypic.com/bzofq

http://tinypic.com/bzojr

http://tinypic.com/bzol1

http://tinypic.com/bzolj

http://tinypic.com/bzoko

http://tinypic.com/bzon9

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/pereira/up.jpg

http://web.media.mit.edu/~arnans/resources/pics/web_version/2000/06%20sanfrancisco/pics/dscn0152.jpg

http://www.geriengberg.com/transam1cord2copy.jpg

http://scott.olson.org/sanfrancisco/pyramid.jpg

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/pereira/baseint2.jpg

Exotic and interesting...8.5/10

I used to work there and trust me, its the best skyscraper west of Chicago!!!! The views are just spectacular, the design is timeless and its presence further enhances the beauty of San Francisco! If I had an option, I would have rated it 11! :okay:

one of the few rare innovative skyscrapers ever built .. . love it 9/10:D

I love this one too. However I think the base of the building looks a bit cheap. The rest is great.


8.5/10

Originally posted by xgokhan
I think the base of the building looks a bit cheap.


Agreed. :D

Apart from that, though, it's an absolutely stunning structure, nicely situated, and one of SF's early highrises. :) Also, it managed to stay somewhat at the edge of the subsequent skyscraper boom in the Financial District and therefore the entire structure, built on a large lot that features a pleasant little park, continues to stand out, with the views from the offices hardly diminished.

Given the above flaw ;) and anticipating unexpected jewels in the as yet unsampled part of the collection: 9.5. :banana:

The base is very well designed, doesn't look that good, but makes it more reststant to strong earthquakes.

The deisgn with it's two wings is good. One of my favs.

8.5/10

Well, in the beginning I hated the base od the building (last five floors I think) but I can live with that now. I just still think it interrupts a bit. I'm also not wild about the wings, however, (just like the base) the wings have their functions as well. It's giving the buildings more verticality anyway. The fact that it's actually one of the most eathrquake proof skyscrapers in the world, gives it another point towards the 10 points, I also like the top of the building, when lit up at night, however, I have a few buildings in the world, which I like even more. Although TAP isn't my absolute fav, it's still among the best of the best imo. 9.5/10

wow, a master peice for San Francisco!

Distinctive design, I like the triangular spire and the two wings on either side. 8/10

The best landmark in the world !

10/10 :okay:

another great picture :

http://www.haozheng.com/Travel/US/JourneyWest/24.JPG

A very bold and startlingly original design. 10/10.

btw I love the base too!

question, at the top usable floor, what is the floor area? :)

I love it, the design is a classic, but I agree with quite a few other people, that the base spoils it 9.5/10

8.5/10

Very iconic.

stanford> I think the area of the top floor is 4000 sq ft or less.

I've always disliked this structure; in pics and in life. It's best for all if i hesitate to give the 101 reasons as to why.

Score undisclosed.

museumb > please feel free to elaborate. It is more interesting to do so and this IS the place for it! As long as it applies to the building ;)

I've newer really liked this building. In my opinion the materials they used make the building look cheep, it already seems dirty and old. I'm not sure you guys can disagree.

7/10:)

it's good but not one of the greats.

7.5/10

I like the Transamerica Pyramid a lot. It reflects off the past, which really gives you that SF feel. I'm giving it a 10/10. It fits perfectly into the skyline.

I love that big picture with the slightly grainy backbround photographed out in the middle of the street, Columbus Avenue.

It was a coolish summer day when I took it.
I obtained the grainy effect by resampling the image at about half the original and rescaling
it to the original size. The "grains" just represent fewer pixels than were in the original shot.

You can see it and much more concerning the
San Francisco that San Franciscans see
at my site,

http://jim-collier.com

By the way, some of my images are encoded with
my name which will not show up in normal
display. If you use one of my pictures -- and
generally I do not object to their use for
non-commercial purposes -- send me an e-mail. I will ask that you credit me. If you use one of
these at your Web site, my search engine spider
will probably come across it sooner or later.

Which is how I happened to find this one.


Jim

9.5/10 love this pryimid

Jim Collier> Apologies that you were not contacted before your picture was linked. That wont happen again. Hope you dont mind your picture being used for the viewing pleasure of the forumers here. And feel free to participate in this forum :angel1:

i know SF would not be SF w/o the transpyramid.
but i think so much space was wasted...for the sake of design.
8.5/10 then!

7/10 - I like really the shape, which has plenty of soaring height. But the facade doesn't add to the sense of height, and rather reminds me of the monotony of hole after hole punched into a wall that the architects of the ESB tried to avoid by making the window frames flush with their building's facade. IMO, they should have used more glass, and some metal, or at least something other than concrete, which, again IMO, belongs on parking garages or factories - it doesn't age well, and doesn't look that good even when it's new.
If that somewhat confusing base was designed to resist quakes, I'll have to think better of it, though it still makes it look like the poor building is trying to walk on stilts...

Its just cool.

9.5

well there are few buildings in the world that are as recognizable as this one.....it's design is unique for skyscrapers and it has become an icon in the architectural world...9.5/10

9.5/10. Damn I love this building. Looks so nice in the skyline too.

Nothing spectacular... but you have to admire the uniqueness. 7.5

Is the architect american ?

9/10

One of the greatest buildings in the US, and the greatest in California.

7.5/10

nice:D

9, the facades look sa bit old, but the building in itself is great, and it's a great landmark.

Not 'character' and dull facade details.

Use of plain yet disproportional geometry as building outline makes it look unbalance

An average building

Good
8/10

One of the most famous landmark building
10/10

Which one is it, Eric Wong? 8 or 10? :)

It's host to Transamerica and that again is owned by Dutch insurance company Aegon (see Aegon tower, Louisville), anyway, the design makes it obvious why Aegon choose to take over Transamerica, just to have the most beautiful tower on the West-coast!! 10/10
cheerio

im not a fan of its facade, but its design is interesting 8.5

The tower would look a lot better without those 'wings' on both sides.

5/10

Sorry guys.

Transamerica is a classic, one of the first skyscrapers with this revolutionary shape, the structure is a reference in architecture and engineering for scrapers. 8.5/10

This is one of those skyscrapers that you're supposed to love, and if you don't, you feel you owe everyone else an apology for some reason. Well, I don't care for it all that much. The only real reason this building stands out at all is because it is an iconic pyramid. It is not impressively tall, it is not impressively ornamented...it's really just a simple, blah building that happens to be shaped like a pyramid. To me, it's a 6.5.

It's offcourse a great landmark for S.F!
I like the base of the building(Use to crash into that with that game midtown madness:D)The shape of design is also good so it's a 8.5/10 for me.

When it was first built, most locals disliked the pyramid-but now its one of the city's icons. Its probably the most easily recognizable skyscraper west of the Mississippi river.

Distinctively ugly. That facade is horrifying. 3/10

Amazing shape and wings, are let down by a bland boring exterior colour.

7

8/10...It looks great for a 48 story building. The base is way too big though.

Designed for the year 2525 ?
Glad someone dared to build it and that it now exists, a nice contribution to skyscrapers all across the world.

Always loved this classic. 9.5

7.5/10. I like the shape.. but the materials.....

I prefer glass for this design.

Unique! This building has got character... :cool: If it was cladded in glass it would have looked much better though :)

8.5/10

10/10 this is THE signature skyscraper of San Francisco. You have to see it in person to be truly awed by it.

One of the most recognizable skyscrapers in the world. A true masterpiece. Over 30 years old and still looks great. Bravo. A perfect 10.

I think that this building is an absoulute gem of the American West and of the World. :angel1: It most defently is one to look upon with amazement. One of California's greatest buildings and the countries because there are not a lot like it.

i think its great since its the only one in the world that has its pyramid shape, well now london is making one.
anyway the only thing is it should b taller since its shape sometimes makes it look smaller.
and the top part that lights should b a lot brighter. i dont really like the stuff they use at the top. it should be bright like that one buiding in LA(not the library tower the other one) or like the one thats really blue at night in singapore.
another thing is that they dont even light the top all the time. ive never seen it lit up.

9/10


san francisco should have so many rules, it needs a 1000+ft skyscraper and other 700 or 800 footers:rant:

9/10
Transamerica looks a bit like what London Bridge Tower will hopefully look like. It's unusual shape is a merit to the skyline.
:)

Very awesome building

10/10

looks outdated 7.5

10/10

My favorite building ever built. I might have said that before, but this time I mean it. It is San Francisco.

http://scott.olson.org/sanfrancisco/pyramid.jpg

A classic building, very unique. 9/10

9.5/10
My favorite building in the US. :cool:

9

the facade is not the best

10/10 :cucumber:

My favorite skyscraper in the whole world!!!
A PERFECT 10! 20, if I could. ;)
:cool:
I love San Francisco! :)

Unique in a 70's sci-fi B-movie way.

9/10

9

I love this building. Distinct. Unique. Beautiful. When you see it, you know you are looking at the skyline of San Francisco. It's landmark status is still very much alive 30 years later.

10/10 I love this building
I´m so glad that I have seen it in real life!

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/500/2727san_fco3.jpg

It apparently fit to the sky

:)

7

Never really liked this building but I guess the design is alright

Egypt should patent the pyramids before it's too late.


In this case, the addition of those side things increases the rating to an 8.

9.5/10 Really distinctive and original.

9/10

one of SF icons.

8/10
I like the pyramid shape of the building, very interesting.

6.5/10

I would have liked a pure pyramid w/out those protrusions on the side better.

10/10 one of my favorite buildings in the world.It really is a landmark in San Francisco. Beautiful,amazing!!!:colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate: :colgate:

original,only one,an icon of the architecture. The bad thing: his materials 9/10

Some shots of the base
http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/pereira/baseint.jpg

http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/pereira/basedet.jpg

a brave design 8/10

10/10!

This is one of the coolest buildings in the world. They pyramid shape was a great idea! :D

6.5/10

genuine
8.5/10

truly one-of-a-kind! the closest replica to this is the king tower in shanghai.

as a resident in the san fran bay area, i have always admired this building. it's just as famous to the world as the esb and wtc. this building's peerless!

9.5/10

9/10
Great!

This skyscraper which is in pyramid sharp always remind me of America. Because the sharp looks like "A" :D . One of my favourite building in Simcity 4000. 11/10!!!

Not my favorite but still nice. I have been right up to the 48th floor of this building and that floor is small. Looks over everything else except the Bank of America.

7.0/10

I love this building! I Cant imagine San Francisco without this building! I went their this summer and it was one of my favorite Cities in the World!! Second to Vancouver and LA, but still! Excellent building and features, looks great at night and yah 10/10

Have only seen it in pictures, but I like it and give it 10/10. Only in San Francisco!.

Oh jeez this thing is ugly. The materials used remind me of a parking garage. I love the shape and the way it soars, but omg someone put some glass and steel on that thing. I think the only reason why people dont hate it so much is because it stands in a lovely city.

when i stood in front of it i began to love it, but i didnt knew that it is 260 m high, looks smaller i think, anyway, great tower

If it was a bit higher and was covered in glass, it would look like the approved london bridge tower in london. check out www.londonbridgetower.com

one of my favourite skyscrapers, great one!

9/10

i love it, 9/10

9.5/10

Distinctive and famous. I like the original shape, the crown and the wings are what really sets this apart. Facade is good, but not good enough for this one to earn a ten. I like the base as I think it suits the building well, but it is a tad cheap looking.

my favourite ;)

A bit left back in the 80's

quite old, but somethng special! 7.5

Fantastic - I love it.

It looks much, much taller than 260m!

9/10

I like it!! It's my second favorite skyscraper in SF but I don't really like pyramid shaped skyscrapers and don't want to see a lot of them on this world. 7/10

While it is a landmark I have never found this building evry attractive. it is too big to exude the artsy image it does, definatly not what I would like to see for the tallest in SF. 6/10

10/10. A personal favorite to me; first thing I see from Oakland at Jack London Square on the waterfront. I thought it was over 1000 feet tall, but mind the altitude status of Frisco. I almost hated that webbish base, but it's alright with me. Transamerica Pyramid is timeless despite the age.

On a personal note, my mama used to work inside that building before I was even born.

8/10

this is the most famous skyscraper on the continent outside of NYC and Chicago... and it is a perfect icon for san francisco.

i don't get why people think the building should be more steel/glass, or why people hate the base. this bldg is clad is light-colored stone which fits well with the city's bright urban context (compared to the dark monolithic BofA). i think the base is appropriate too.... the trusses create an airy, cathedral-like arcade around the entrance that would not have occurred had the walls of the bldg gone straight down to the ground.

my only gripe is that the bldg should have been built to its original height of 1000 ft / 55 stories.

still, what a presense:
http://www.pbase.com/bcsf/image/17688026/original.jpg

8.5

Great landmark design and completes the SF skyline. Does look somewhat dated and might not age as well as other scrapers but wouldn't be the same city w/out it.

I gave it an 8.
I like the shape and the look but I think, because of its bland, gray colour it looks almost like the 60's council blocks all over Britian (exept a bit pointier).

it's not gray, it's cream colored.

This building is amazing, everytime I cross the Bay Bridge into SF I see it and I know that ive entered the city. It also give San Francisco a distinct skyline which is easily identifiable all over the world... its well above a 10 :-)

Looks dated and cheap. The design may be innovative but the quality of it, when seen up close, is awful. 4/10

I gave it an 8.5

I love this one too. However I think the base of the building looks a bit cheap. The rest is great.


8.5/10

I agree, they could have made the base a little better.

Willian Pereira...its a latin american architect???

10/10

The building looks massive! yet without being Imposing on the environment.. the shape and design is legendary and iconic for its time.. however like some said, and I will agree, the cladding lets it down..

The skyscraper is also a pioneer, like Labrador said some time ago, the London Bridge Tower (at nearly 310m) will be a 21st century Trans-atlantic (If built) replica of this tower.. so it can't be that bad, I give it.. 8.5/10...then again, for its iconic-ness, 9.5/10 (ignoring facade issues)

Just for those who havnt seen, the LBT proposal.. see the similarities??

http://skyscraperpage.com/gallery/data/622/28london_bridgetower02.jpg
image courtesy of skyscraperpage.com

definitly a landmark. Superb! An 9.

Looks dated and cheap. The design may be innovative but the quality of it, when seen up close, is awful. 4/10


:|

the 'cheap' comment is lame and tired. the bldg was built in 1972... what do you expect?

i suppose a bldg in korea could match the pyramid iconoclasism?

*yawn*

Willian Pereira...its a latin american architect???

10/10

if my memory serves me correctly, i think the architect is italian.

ok, thanks sean storm!

9/10
Curious building. Somewhat egyptian style.

UNIQUE..... 10 Points

:okay:

Unique beautiful tower tower, 8/10

one of my favourite 9/10 :)

9/10

8/10.

Nice shape but ugly, 7/10

10/10 - innovative and daring when it was built. Still the building that defines SF's incredible skyline. And it's very approachable.

I like this one. 9/10

A true symbol of the power of California and of the art leadership of San Francisco. A 9/10 for this pyramidal wonder.

Too bad there arent any taller buildings in san fran, this tower is not that good, but It is earthquake proof.

makes me smile , dono why:) 10/10 sorry National Bank,HK

9/10 ... impressive structure !

Pretty ugly if you ask me.

not my kind of building, I hate the shape as well
6/10

I love it, 9/10

I like the shape and the base but it is too grey

A good idea, poorly executed imo.
The facade looks very old-fashioned, the building didn't aged well it seems.
Having it white was a good idea, but it tends to look grey.
Apart from this, thumbs up for building it in San Francisco, technically challenging, and very impacting and iconic on the skyline.
7.

I like the boldness of the design, and that it was made with "landmark" in mind.

However, I can't say I like it as a building. It reflects none of the city's personality and if anything looks sorely out of place in the city. The wings really detract from the shard-like thrust of the pyramid. I can imagine this going off a lot better in an Asian city.

10.

it would be excellent if it had glass facade or didn't have those ugly window frames. they spoil it all :(

Very unique. 9/10.

7/10
It's not my kind of building.

B-E-A-utiful.............................9.0

10/10 Iconic!

Great. 9.5.

9.5/10

10/10

09/10.

10/10! :pepper:

This is my favorite highrise in the world. Not only do I love the shape, but I also love the colour, which blends into the SF colour scheme and landscape giving it a timeless look. Glass wouldn't have done that. I do think the base could have been better (looking), and the building should have been the originally proposed height, but it is still too good to detract points from.:bow:

10/10

One of my favourites! original design 9/10

9/10

8/10

Cool tower, 8.5/10

Unique design but I hate concrete. 6/10.

I don´t like the windows but the structure is so good. 8/10

The shape of this tower is absolutely great. But the facade is gray and dull
Overall: 8/10

very elegant 9.5/10

This is my favorite building to look at. I wish I could go in to it and check out all the veiws from the top. It's closed to the public though and going to SF to work everyday is a job in itself.

Great

8!

looks good, but not for me
6.5

I love it, 9.5/10

Now we’re talkin. What a great design. This is one of the greatest buildings of our time. 10

9/10

8,5/10

good designe and terrific pics

Its old looking and the base of it, kind of ruins it... but hey I like it 8/10

10/10, love it!

5.5/10
I don't think that the pyramidal shape is a good idea for a city
It just doesn't fit with the boxes around

7/10. Despite it being unique, I find it to be pretty ugly.

7/10 I dont like it. Because of the height I am giving it 7/10.

10/10

not the best but still 8/10

8/10 for this one.

9/10

9/10

8.5/10 Love the design, but not the facade

7/10

Strong 10.

One of the best skyscapers in America, and one of the best known around the world. A masterpiece if there ever was one!

8.5 hopefully Lbt in London can be equally as good as this.

The shape is lovely. 9/10

9.5/1

love this, 8.5/10

some more TA pictures
http://static.flickr.com/22/41386939_9104637450.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/33/67908375_64310f9519.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/28/62281641_f4a6eb13cf.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/11/15402345_2f7551be05.jpg?v=0

I remember seeing it first time I visited SF, when it was new... it was pretty
hot stuff!

I think it would look better without the wings, but I still like it nonetheless. 8/10.

^^ I like the wings, but wish they had a different facade( just like the whole building). Even though they are ugly and plain, the wings are what make the TransAmerica so unique

9/10 :)

I like it. 8.5/10.

Fanatistic building, original, elegant, I give it a 9!

Not really my cup of tea.

I'll give it points for flying in the face of conventional skyscraper theory... to have diminishing return on diminishing floor space the further you go up... very odd.

On the other hand, it's form could be construed as a gimmick... 'let's just make it a pyramid and it will be cool.' I don't know if I quite believe that.

I'll give it a generous 8/10 even though it doesn't appeal to me.

Famous & iconic.. 8/10

for 70s its still kinda bland but i'll give it 7.5/10

always been one of my favorite towers in teh world. they had balls to plan this, finance it. and build and fuck everyone else. and they turned out a masterpiece.

10/10 for balls alone. and the tower rocks too

Classic. Perfect. 10.

Really unique 8/10.

7/10 i really like the radical and unique design, anybody can identify it as the transamerica pyramid. And given that it was built in 1972 makes it even better, but i really don't like the exterior, it's like a concrete shell, reminds me of the ryoungyang hotel in north korea.

I've always disliked this structure; in pics and in life. It's best for all if i hesitate to give the 101 reasons as to why.

Score undisclosed.I will now give it a score....5 & that's being kind!

BTW The night pics posted in this thread of the tower are great!! :okay:

But 5 it is!

...

7/10

A classic and one of the world's best.

10/10

could use a bit more glass. 8/10

5,5/10

9/10..............

Just love it, cuz it's my homeplace tower 10/10

10/10 Best USA scraper after Chrysler, ESB, Sears & Hanckok

9/10

best buiding in sfo... 10/10

8,5/10 lovely

8/10

I would not call it a masterpiece, but it is iconic and does represent San Francisco.
Was exciting when it was a new structure.

10/10 :D

eventhough it's kinda ugly and a boring colour... I always liked this building.
Its design is just weird!
7.5

9/10

I like it. 8/10

:okay: Seeing the tower in person is such a fantastic experience!

6/10

9/10.

it has a nice shape and is really an icon 7/10

9.8/10 !

No, sorry, i don't like it. And it's a 70's building and i don't like any 70's buildings. 5/10

7/10

At this moment I happen to be in SF. Excited as I was to see the icon of SF, disappointed I was to see the materials and details. Skyline shape: 10/10 Materials: 5/10

8,5/10

Great icon of SF, but maybe it should be renovated?

good design but the grey looks too old. 8/10

Never liked it too much but that view looking upward Ive never seen before and I like the windows.
7.5/10

10/10. Great setting, 1 of a kind building!

8/10

8.5/10 iconic

9/10

It's one of the coolest buildings in USA.. 10/10. And, yes, it does fit into the skyline perfect.

7.5/10

it would have looked much better without the 2 "wings" nearing top. it's probably an engineering compromise.

9/10

The best in San Francisco and one of the best in the world. 10/10.

10/10. A 70's masterpiece. Wish we had it in Melbourne.

Simple, yet bold. 8/10

from google earth

http://img240.imageshack.us/img240/8453/transamericapyramidwk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

8.5/10

:)10/10

7/10. Good looking.

cool building 7,5/10

8 / 10

Love it.
9.5/10

6/10

one of the world's finest
9.5/10

A true symbol of San Francisco. Everytime I go to the "city" I know I'm there when I see the Transamerica Pyramid. It's very fitting for SF's offbeat attitude and feel, I couldn't imagine it working in many other cities. Hard to believe people actually protested it when it was being planned. It's just so simple in design. Nothing gimmicky or over-done. No fads that will go out of style anytime soon. The 70's concrete may look a little tacky by today's standards, but could you imagine it in 70's era green glass? The two wings I love, they add more character and remind me of elephant ears. My favourite skyscraper in California, if not the whole U.S. A "9.5"!!!!

7... don't like the facade

i wish it were a little taller...

but its an icon recognized worldwide.
i give it a ten.
very unique and bold.

10. iconic and really nice!

7... don't like the facade
they should paint it in an nice white, would look better than this old grey i think

9.5

8/10

9 one of the reasons why I started to like skyscrapers

It's good, but is showing it's age... 7/10

It's good, but is showing it's age... 7/10

the older it is, the better.
that said, could use a bright white re-finishing job.

this skyscraper is not good, its great. not too tall like in china where 450m is the new 300m.

8.5/10