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High rise renovation will revitalize a design icon

“This is a carefully considered proposal to renovate one of San Francisco's iconic buildings. The proposal to tie all three buildings together has the potential of creating vibrant public space,” Yasmin Shariff, Judge.

Project: Transamerica

Award: Future Projects – Commercial, Silver, 2022

Location: San Francisco, USA

Architect: Foster + Partners

Client: SHVO

San Francisco’s iconic Transamerica Pyramid Centre, designed by celebrated architect William Pereira and completed in 1972, encompasses an entire block in the city’s financial district. This project will be the biggest renovation in the modernist skyscraper’s 50-year history and also includes the expansion and upgrades of the adjacent Three Transamerica to a contemporary high-design office building. 
The design will also revitalize and restore the historic Redwood Park in which the Transamerica Pyramid is located. The new design creates high performance office spaces which enhance wellbeing. The office is reimagined as a living space, with emphasis placed on comfort, hospitality and flexibility for tenants and guests. Two floors in the middle of the tower are dedicated to wellness, a lounge and conferencing facilities—all with panoramic city views. While the top floor below the spire features a private bar and lounge. 

Design highlights

The Redwood Park, consisting of nearly 50 mature redwood trees transplanted from the Santa Cruz Valley to the site in 1974 and now over 100 feet tall, will also be upgraded and additional landscape will activate the site perimeter. Adding seasonal colour to the space, Mark Twain Street, the alleyway from Sansome Street, will be lined with plum blossom trees, leading up to the base of the pyramid featuring curated cafes, shops and restaurants. 

  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica
  • Transamerica

Photo credit: SHVO

PROJECT CREDITS
  • LEAD ARCHITECT: Norman Foster
    DEVELOPER: SHVO
    RENDERING: DBOX

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