Climbing to the top of the Transamerica Pyramid
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I took this selfie at the top of a 853-foot-tall building. Illustration: Axios Visuals. Photos: Getty Images, Claire Reilly/Axios
What do you do when you're offered a private tour of San Francisco's second-tallest building? You climb to the top — and film the entire thing for Axios!
The big picture: The Transamerica Pyramid and surrounding area were sold for $650 million in 2020 and have been undergoing renovations for 18 months. The $400 million project is the biggest single investment in downtown SF since COVID.
Fun fact: The architectural firm behind the renovations, Foster + Partners, also designed Apple's "spaceship" headquarters in Cupertino.
State of play: While the renovated lobby is open to visitors, the metal spire at the top (all 212 feet of it) is closed to the public and building tenants. But I got to tour it!
What they're saying: Simone Martin, a partner at Foster + Partners, said the climb up the spire is "quite a walk."
- "During the design process, we said, 'We need to somehow get access and get people up there.' But it's nearly impossible. So it's definitely a special treat to go up there."
- Dear reader, I can confirm — it was quite a (terrifying) walk.
Behind the scenes: Edging out of the elevator on the 48th floor, I faced a vertiginous 212-foot climb: 10 flights of near vertical, open-mesh stairs and two metal-rung ladders that I gripped with sweaty palms. Rather, with sweaty palm: I did the whole climb while carrying a video camera in one hand.
- My panic levels by the time I reached the final step? High.
- The moment I climbed into the glass cupola at the top? Priceless.
Inside the room: The upward trek ends with perfect Bay views and a picture-perfect glimpse of fog rolling in under the Golden Gate Bridge.
- At that moment, I thought I might have the best job in the world.
Final thoughts: I just had to stick my arm outside the top of the pyramid to get my video outro (and a selfie).
What's next: The renovation is in its final stages, with a new Sky Bar being built for tenants on the 48th floor. A 5,600-watt LED lighting system will also replace the old beacon at the top of the spire, while more than 1,300 feet of linear LED lights will glow out over the city from inside the pyramid's facade.
- The Pyramid and surrounding area (including the redwood grove hidden behind the building) will play host to the TED AI festival Oct. 22–23.