The Transamerica Pyramid is no longer the tallest building in San Francisco. That distinction now belongs to the Salesforce Tower, which surpassed the 260-metre (853-foot) pointed peak of the 1972-built landmark on Friday, October 14. Currently at a height of 264 metres (867 feet), vertical construction will continue until it hits a pinnacle of 326 metres (1,070 feet). When the Pelli Clarke Pelli-designed tower does that, it will become the tallest office building west of Chicago.

Artistic depiction of the finished project, image via Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects

The 61-storey skyscraper rises from a full city block at 415 Mission Street between Fremont and First Streets. Boston Properties and Hines are the developers behind the massive project, which began construction in 2013. Within its towering and tapering frame, crews are busy shaping the floors and walls of the 1.4 million-square-foot complex, including the approximately 7,000 square feet of retail space to be provided on the ground and fifth floors. The lively fifth floor space will be fully integrated with the neighbouring Transbay Transit Center, featuring a connection to its highly anticipated rooftop park. For workers in the surrounding towers, it will be hard not to take an extended coffee break at the manicured green space, which will surely become one of the city's most popular public destinations.

Salesforce Tower under construction, image by Forum contributor edwards

The building's structural specifications are impressive; 42 five-by-ten-foot steel-reinforced concrete load-bearing elements extend from the foundation to San Francisco's bedrock, providing enhanced seismic safety. With 14 feet and nine inches separating each slab, the workplace environment is crafted by approximately 13-foot unfinished ceilings, 10-foot drop ceilings, and 10-foot-high continuous clear glass windows. The column-free plan embraces the benefits of office flexibility and natural daylight. The pre-certified LEED Platinum project features an under floor air delivery system that will fill each level with a steady intake of fresh outdoor air. 

Salesforce Tower cladding installation, image by Forum contributor edwards

The project is scheduled to reach another major milestone in early November when the core walls are structurally completed, to be followed by the topping off of structural steel in March 2017. Base core and shell work should wrap up in the second quarter of 2017 with tenants moving in by the end of the year. The gleaming glass tower won't just shine during the day — the top 150 feet of the tower will display the largest public art light installation in the United States. San Francisco is the second California metropolis to celebrate a new tallest building in 2016, following the summer spire installation at the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles.

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Related Companies:  Hines