Salesforce Tower, formerly known as the Transbay Tower, is a 1,070-foot (326 m) office skyscraper in the South of Market district of downtown San Francisco. It is located at 415 Mission Street between First and Fremont Streets, next to the Transbay Transit Center site. Salesforce Tower is the centerpiece of the San Francisco Transbay redevelopment plan. The plan contains a mix of office, transportation, retail, and residential uses. This was the last building designed by César Pelli to be completed in his lifetime.

Upon its completion in 2018 it became the tallest skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline, with a top roof height of 970 feet (296 m) and overall height of 1,070 feet (326 m), surpassing the 853 feet (260 m) Transamerica Pyramid. It is also the second-tallest building west of the Mississippi River after the 1,100 feet (335 m) Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles, though the Salesforce Tower is taller when Wilshire Grand Center’s decorative spire is excluded, but has a shorter roofline than Los Angeles’ U.S. Bank Tower.

ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL

The Salesforce Tower stands as a testament to modern architectural ingenuity. Its unique obelisk shape, tapering as it rises, isn’t just for aesthetics. This design significantly reduces wind loads on the structure, a crucial consideration for tall buildings in seismically active San Francisco.

FOUNDATION INNOVATIONS

At the core of the tower’s stability lies its foundation. The building boasts 42 load-bearing elements anchored into bedrock, extending nearly 300 feet below ground level. This foundation system, known as a high-strength reinforced concrete mat, is supported by 44 piles driven deep into the earth, ensuring stability even during seismic events.

SUSTAINABILITY FEATURES

Salesforce Tower sets a new standard for eco-friendly skyscrapers. It employs a state-of-the-art water recycling system that can treat up to 30,000 gallons of greywater and blackwater daily, significantly reducing the building’s water consumption. The tower also utilizes a natural ventilation system, taking advantage of San Francisco’s mild climate to reduce energy costs.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING CHALLENGES

Constructing the tallest building in a seismically active zone presented unique challenges. Engineers implemented an innovative structural system combining a reinforced concrete core with a perimeter moment frame. This design allows the tower to withstand powerful earthquakes and high winds while maintaining its slender profile.

LIGHTING TECHNOLOGY

The crown of Salesforce Tower features a 11,000 LED light installation, visible from up to 20 miles away. This isn’t just for show – it’s a dynamic art piece capable of displaying low-resolution moving images, controlled by sophisticated software that can create a variety of visual effects.

ELEVATOR SYSTEMS

The tower’s elevator system is a marvel of vertical transportation. It features 34 elevators, including high-speed cars that can travel at up to 1,200 feet per minute. The system uses destination dispatch technology, optimizing traffic flow and reducing wait times significantly.

IMPACT ON URBAN PLANNING

Salesforce Tower has redefined San Francisco’s skyline and urban fabric. Its construction spurred the development of the surrounding area, including the adjacent Transbay Transit Center. This symbiotic relationship between the tower and its neighborhood exemplifies modern urban planning principles of transit-oriented development.