San Francisco arguably has some of the most beautiful skyscrapers in the world. As the economy gets stronger you can see new projects raising to the sky. From the Bay Bridge you can easily see half a dozen cranes racing to finish their building first (Note to self, buy a crane during the next recession.) and construction is in full swing on almost every street in the city. Let us look at some of the biggest and highly impactful skyscrapers in San Francisco, starting from as early as 1925.
140 Montgomery – The 25-Story Historical Monument and Headquarters of Yelp
Back in 1925, the tallest structure ever erected in San Francisco stood with pride for a brief period of two years, till the Russ Building beat it’s record in 1927. The intricate arched entrances cast the same spell of terra cotta (granite colored) like the remainder of the façade and stand in all its glory at the entryway of New Montgomery Street. The building’s unique L-shaped architectural design sets it apart from its neighbors.
One of Winston Churchill’s very first transatlantic calls was hosted here and the building still holds a certain amount of suave in terms of appearance, even after almost 70 years of its construction.
Eichler’s Summit Tower – 999 Green Street – Non-Pretentious Elegance at its Peak
One of the most contemporary and prominent towers situated in San Francisco was completed in 1965 by the famous Bay Area construction architect – Joseph Eichler. Sitting atop the famous Russian Hill, the Summit Tower’s roof was once the highest point in the city; some of the most premium condos in San Francisco are housed here. The 290-foot Russian Hill only elevates the majestic 32 story building, which has up to 26 residential floors.
The towers facade is clean and striking, and made with glass, the structure being intricately designed with modernistic flares and step-backs from the balconies that are located on the upper floors. Home architects and designers still agree with the magnificence of the tower and keep forwarding petitions to get the tower retouched, and further structured to enhance its ability of housing residents.
The TransAmerica Pyramid
Standing at a staggering height of 853 feet and once the tallest building in the country, The TransAmerica Pyramid was questioned back in 1972 when it was erected. The building was openly called hideous, but today, it is one of the most iconic structures that mark the San Francisco skyline. The beacon on the roof is only lit up during Christmas, and even after the criticism, the TransAmerica pyramid dominates the Atlantic Skyline.