Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
4
555 California
555 California St.
Map
5 C4.
Tel
392-
1697.
@
1, 41.
California St.
Montgomery.
The Bank of America was
originally the Bank of Italy,
founded by A. P. Giannini in San
Jose, California. It built up a huge
clientele early in the 20th century
by catering to immigrants and
by investing in the booming
farmlands and small towns. In
the great fire of 1906
(see pp30-
31)
Giannini personally rescued
his bank's deposits, carting
them to safety hidden in fruit
crates, so there were sufficient
funds for the bank to invest in
the rebuilding of the city.
Formerly the global head-
quarters of Bank of America,
this red granite-clad building
symbolized the importance and
power of the banking industry.
Completed in 1969, its 52 stories
made it at one time the tallest
skyscraper in San Francisco.
There are incredible views of
the city from the 52nd floor.
Transcendence
(1967) by Masayuki Nagare
outside 555 California
5
Transamerica
Pyramid
600 Montgomery St.
Map
5 C3.
@
1, 10, 12, 30, 41.
Closed
to the
public.
7
∑
transamerica.com
The spire
is hollow, rising 212 ft (64 m) above the top
floor. Lit from inside, it casts a warm yellow glow at night.
Its purpose is purely decorative.
Vertical Wings
The wings of the building rise
vertically from the middle of the
ground floor and extend beyond
the frame, which tapers inward.
The east wing houses 18 elevator
shafts; the west wing houses a
smoke tower and stairs.
Capped with a pointed spire
on top of its 48 stories, the
pyramid reaches 853 ft
(256 m) above sea level.
It is the tallest and most
recognized building in
the city, and although
San Franciscans disliked it
when it opened in 1972,
they have since accepted
it as part of their city's
skyline. Since September
11, 2001, the pyramid has
been closed to the public,
though there is a visitor's
center in the lobby.
Designed by William
Pereira & Associates,
the pyramid houses
1,500 office workers on
a historically rich site.
The Montgomery Block,
which contained many
important offices and
was the largest building
west of the Mississippi,
was built here in 1853. In
the basement was the
Exchange Saloon, which
was frequented by Mark
Twain. In the 1860s
artists and writers took
up residence in the
Montgomery Block.
The Pony Express
terminus, marked
by a plaque, was
at Merchant
Street opposite
the pyramid.
Earthquake Protection
The exterior is covered
with white precast quartz
aggregate, interlaced
with reinforcing rods on
each floor. Clearance
between the panels
allows lateral movement
in case of an earthquake.
The 3,678 windows
take
cleaners one month to wash.
City Views
Workers in the upper-
floor offices have
stupendous 360° views
of the entire city, and
right across San
Francisco Bay.
The Shape
The building tapers so that it
casts a smaller shadow than
a conventional design.
The foundation
rests on a steel-and-concrete
block, sunk 52 ft (15.5 m) into the ground, and
designed to move with earth tremors.
