Foster + Partners has completed the restoration of the Transamerica Pyramid Center in San Francisco. The most comprehensive renovation in the building’s more than 50 years of history, this renewal repositions one of the city’s most iconic landmark towers while new life into the historic Transamerica Redwood Park at its base.
Designed by William Pereira and completed in 1972, it is a beacon to the city’s skyline. The tower’s lobby has been newly redesigned in order to communicate the powerful structural rhythm of the building. Careful forensic study of blueprints of the original building revealed a spectacular diagonal structure that had been hidden above the ceiling. It exposes the structure and clads it to match the building’s exterior and creates the seamless transparency between interior and exterior.
Norman Foster, Founder and Executive Chairman, Foster + Partners, said: “We are delighted to see Transamerica Pyramid Center entering a new era. Our transformation honors the building’s history while creating interior spaces that are world class and outdoor public gardens that reconnect with the city.”
Michael Shvo, Chairman & CEO of SHVO, said: “The Transamerica Pyramid has always been ahead of its time, and now it always will be. The remastering of this historic block will mark a new chapter for this iconic landmark, ensuring it remains a vibrant hub for creativity, business, and community.”
David Summerfield, Head of Studio, Foster + Partners, said: “Our work on the Transamerica Pyramid has revitalized the building, clearing away years of later additions that had compromised the space internally. The new masterplan restores the logic of Pereira’s plan, reasserting its clarity and renewing the ground plane.”
The lobby has been restored to its full height with glass façade and takes the natural light deep into space and reconnects office tenants and visitors with their peaceful natural environment. Complete with a café, florist and bookshop, the lobby reflects the spirt of the local neighborhood and provides a sense of calm and wellbeing from the moment of arrival.
Transamerica Pyramid Center’s reopening is also marked by the launch of Pyramid Arts, a new series of public exhibitions celebrating innovation and creativity across the arts and sciences. The two inaugural public installations, both curated by Norman Foster, will be on view September 12, 2024 – January 28, 2025: ‘The Vertical City,’ a design history of Foster + Partners’ towers challenging convention, and Les Lalanne at Transamerica Redwood Park, an outdoor exhibition honoring the work of iconic French artists Claude and François-Xavier Lalanne.
