The Transamerica Pyramid, the crown jewel of Downtown San Francisco, reopened its doors Thursday with all the pomp and circumstance that befits a historic landmark after an 18-month renovation.
The pyramid’s lobby is open to the public for the first time in four years. The building’s entrance has a small café, flower shop, and bookstore for visitors to use. The upper floors have been converted into meeting rooms and lounge areas that are only accessible to the building’s tenants. Those lucky enough to make it to the top will get a full view of Coit Tower, Chinatown, and the Bay.
But John Krizek remembers a time when the Transamerica Pyramid had to convince the city to fall in love with it.
“A building of this shape and height, it was quite a shock,” Krizek said.
He joined the public relations team of Transamerica Corporation in 1968, when triangular architecture was still a glimmer in the city’s eye. He watched the company sell the idea of what the skyscraper could be. Despite protests from artists and opposition from residents, the building made it to opening day in 1972.
Although the building no longer houses the headquarters of Transamerica Corporation, an image of the building still appears on the company’s logo.
Krizek mused on the past as he stood on the 27th floor above the nearly 50-year history.
“I’m so glad I lived long enough to see it. I am, apparently, the last living remnant of that Transamerica crew.”
The building and the adjacent Transamerica Redwood Park were closed to the public during the pandemic. The building has since been purchased by a luxury Manhattan group, Shvo. The buyer, Michael Shvo, says he wants to breathe new life into downtown San Francisco.
“Today people see that the city center is not just about work,” Shvo said.
On Sunday the square is open to everyone.
