When William Pereira’s Transamerica Pyramid opened in 1972 the San Francisco Chronicle dubbed it “the world’s largest architectural folly.” The moniker checks out when you consider the office building’s shape that still holds the title of “tallest pyramid structure on the planet.” Other critics poked fun at its nonuniform design: San Francisco’s city planner shared his pointed opinion by dubbing the tower “an inhumane creation.” Well-hated back then, the tower has gone on to be a revered member of the San Francisco skyline. And it’s that cultural and architectural legacy that Foster + Partners and development firm SHVO tapped into when executing an exhaustive interior redesign of the tower and public realm improvements to the adjacent Redwood Park. The design was unveiled to the public today.
John Beckett, CEO of the Transamerica Corporation, first played with the idea of pyramid-shaped skyscraper in the late 1960s. During a visit to Pereira’s office he spotted the model for the American Broadcasting Company in New York City and thought about how the triangular shape could be translated into a “dramatic new corporate symbol” for his company. The rest is history.
Foster + Partners’s recently wrapped-up renovation put a spotlight on the Transamerica Pyramid and two adjacent buildings at 505 and 545 Sansome. It balanced historical integrity with more modish design choices that would fit just as well in the 1970s design as they do in the 2024 edition.
“Our transformation honors the building’s history while creating interior spaces that are world class and outdoor public gardens that reconnect with the city,” Norman Foster of Foster + Partners shared in a statement.
The revamped lobby may be the best example of this “remastering.” What was originally conceived as two separate lobbies, one for Transamerica employees and one for other office tenants, is now one large space with 15-foot-high ceilings. Here, Foster + Partners elected to dress the central columns in a quartz-studded concrete that matches the building’s expressive exterior. New furnishings, including plump gray sofas and chairs, don’t make too much of a statement. The material and texture palette remains subdued, squeezing in elements of luxe via a hammered-marble coffee bar and backlit shelving units lined with ceramics and books.
The upper floors are mostly occupied by office space, with new tenant amenities like lounges and workout facilities interspersed throughout. In the Sky Lounge, a fluted ceiling keeps the bar scene light and airy. The building’s unique shape is discernible in this space, defined by its angled glazing. Circular sofa seating, intimate dining tables, and a bar were positioned to take full advantage of the sweeping views of the city, including San Francisco’s other golden landmark.
In the gym a similar treatment was applied. Upon entering the workout facilities, a hallway lined with reflective cabinetry picks up on the darker tones of the wood flooring, setting the mood for the space. Wood grounds the interiors, making an appearance on the gym’s ceiling and again in the changing rooms. Machines were intentionally placed in front of the slanted windows to capture views.
Outside, the renovation took advantage of never-realized plans for Redwood Park. Foster + Partners described the three guiding principles for the green space component as “heritage, environmental conservation, and social interaction.” It lined the urbanscape with new redbud trees, already blooming, and replaced old pavers with near-originals. The park was expanded by 1,000 square feet. This larger footprint turns over more urban space to public use within San Francisco’s Financial District.
Other renovated amenity spaces include conference rooms and even a spa. In a press release, SHVO mentions the renovation’s “hotel-like aesthetic.” The hospitable feel is captured in both the exclusive (office-tenant-only spaces) and in the revamped public lobby and the outdoor refurbishments—yet throughout there was a concerted effort to maintain the cultural and architectural legacy of a historic San Francisco site.
