This one is the biggest no-brainer in the history of the world: the Transamerica Pyramid. While San Francisco boasts some of the greatest architecture in America, the Transamerica building has officially achieved "icon" status.Some highlights, courtesy of Emporis:
-The largest floor is the 5th, with 21,025 ft², while the 48th floor
is the smallest, with only 2,025 ft².
-Transamerica wanted a taller building (1,150 feet/350.5m) but the city
planning commission would not approve it because it interfered with precious
views of San Francisco Bay from Nob Hill.
-Only two elevators reach the top floor.
-The "spire" is the upper 212 feet (64.6m), and is covered with vertically
louvered aluminum panels.
-The Pyramid lobby features the work of many artists through a rotating
art exhibition.
-Components of the base include approximately 16,000 cubic yards of
concrete, encasing more than 300 miles of steel reinforcement rods.
-With 3,678 windows it takes a month to wash them.
-The "wings" which start at the 29th floor are necessary near the top of
the pyramid to support elevators on the east side and a stairwell and smoke
tower on the west side.
-During the 7.1-magnitude Bay Area earthquake in 1989, the top story swayed
nearly a foot from side to side.
-The foundation consists of a steel and concrete block that sits 52
feet underground and is designed to move during earthquakes.
-This is the tallest building in San Francisco, and the 4th tallest
building on the west coast of the United States.
The building is evocative of San Francisco and has become one of the many symbols of the city. Designed by architect William Pereira, it faced considerable opposition during its planning and construction, and was sometimes referred to by detractors as "Pereira's Prick".
is the smallest, with only 2,025 ft².
-Transamerica wanted a taller building (1,150 feet/350.5m) but the city
planning commission would not approve it because it interfered with precious
views of San Francisco Bay from Nob Hill.
-Only two elevators reach the top floor.
-The "spire" is the upper 212 feet (64.6m), and is covered with vertically
louvered aluminum panels.
-The Pyramid lobby features the work of many artists through a rotating
art exhibition.
-Components of the base include approximately 16,000 cubic yards of
concrete, encasing more than 300 miles of steel reinforcement rods.
-With 3,678 windows it takes a month to wash them.
-The "wings" which start at the 29th floor are necessary near the top of
the pyramid to support elevators on the east side and a stairwell and smoke
tower on the west side.
-During the 7.1-magnitude Bay Area earthquake in 1989, the top story swayed
nearly a foot from side to side.
-The foundation consists of a steel and concrete block that sits 52
feet underground and is designed to move during earthquakes.
-This is the tallest building in San Francisco, and the 4th tallest
building on the west coast of the United States.
The building is evocative of San Francisco and has become one of the many symbols of the city. Designed by architect William Pereira, it faced considerable opposition during its planning and construction, and was sometimes referred to by detractors as "Pereira's Prick".
In 1999, Transamerica was acquired by Dutch insurance company AEGON. When most of Transamerica was later sold to GE Capital, AEGON retained the building as an investment.
Links:
Transamerica Pyramid [Wikipedia]
The Pyramid Center [www.tapyramid.com]
About the Pyramid [Transamerica]
Transamerica Pyramid [Emporis]
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