Who designed the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco?

William L. Pereira designed the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. His firm developed the building’s distinctive tapered form, which became one of the city’s defining modern landmarks.

Construction began in 1969 on the former site of Montgomery Block, and the 48-story tower was completed in 1972. It stands 853 feet tall, including its spire. The pyramidal shape was commissioned by Transamerica chief executive John Beckett, who wanted a design that would admit more light to the streets around the building.

The proposal faced strong public opposition, partly because its unusual silhouette contrasted with San Francisco’s older architecture. It was nevertheless the city’s tallest building from 1972 until Salesforce Tower surpassed it in 2017. Another frequent mix-up is attributing later renovation work to the original designer: Norman Foster was hired for a major interior and renovation project decades after Pereira’s design.