About the Pyramid

Innovation and strength. The Transamerica Pyramid has become a recognized landmark worldwide that celebrates these attributes.

It all began in 1968 when Transamerica Corporation President John R. Beckett noticed that the trees in a city park — unlike the surrounding, box-like buildings — allowed natural light and fresh air to filter down to the streets below. Wishing to achieve the same effect with Transamerica's new headquarters, an unconventional pyramid shape was chosen for the building.

The result: a refreshing openness that allowed access to the environment. The Transamerica Pyramid is now both a distinctive structure revered by San Franciscans and a landmark of international recognition.

The Transamerica Pyramid is located in the heart of the Montgomery Financial District at 600 Montgomery Street in San Francisco, California. It is a part of Transamerica Center (a complex that includes Two Transamerica Center and Transamerica Redwood Park) and encompasses nearly one city block.

The Transamerica Pyramid building and logos featuring it are registered trademarks of Transamerica Corporation and are the company's primary identifiers of product authenticity. Today the building stands as a source of great pride for Transamerica.

Pyramid Facts and Figures

  • Number of floors: 48
  • Largest Floor: The fifth, measuring 145 feet per side and containing 21,025 square feet of space
  • Smallest floor: the 48th, measuring only 45 feet per side and containing 2,025 square feet of space
  • Total space: 530,000 square feet
  • Total height: 853 feet, including the 212-foot spire
  • Number of elevators: 18, with two reaching the top floor
  • Number of windows: 3,678
  • Components of base: Approximately 16,000 cubic yards of concrete, encasing more than 300 miles of steel reinforcing rods.
  • Exterior material: White precast quartz aggregate
  • Excavation commenced: December 1969
  • Depth of excavation: 52 feet
  • First occupancy: Summer 1972
  • Number of people working in the Pyramid: More than 1,500, employed by more than 50 firms
  • Architect: William L. Pereira & Associates