Skyscape

San Francisco is a colorful city with a dense population and vibrant culture. The area is full of interesting juxtapositions like sleek, new construction built next to historical landmarks, and tech boom millennials working alongside street artists. Our design team took cues from the iconic San Francisco “Skyscape” as viewed from the full room windows of the health center—and used this vertical perspective to showcase the city from rarified heights.

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101 CALIFORNIA
This timeless, Philip Johnson-designed building located at the corner of Market and California is a juxtaposition of shapes occupying an entire city block: a triangular base sits atop a square lot, and supports a soaring cylindrical tower. The upper windows offer expansive views of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, Treasure Island, and Alcatraz.
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181 FREMONT
Architect Jeffrey Heller’s love of sailing inspired these luxury condominiums. The expansive views mirror the limitless sightlines from the bow of a ship. Water’s graceful flow and the powerful force of wind were key influences in the building’s shape, style, and architectural detail. Each condo is as unique as the San Franciscans who live there.
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345 CALIFORNIA
Flanked on each corner by historic buildings, 345 is a multi-use, 48-story skyscraper. The top 11 floors house a luxury hotel, split into twin towers connected by several glass skybridges, giving guests premier views of the city. In true San Francisco fashion, the building has its own wine store, fitness studio, and state-of-the-art energy controls.
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555 CALIFORNIA
This 52-story, 1.8 million square foot building is a trophy tower in San Francisco’s iconic skyline. The skyscraper, with it’s thousands of bay windows, has been featured in several movies, is centrally located near some of San Francisco’s most famous restaurants and destinations, and is partially owned by the Trump Organization.
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CITY HALL
This National Historic Landmark District building took 27 years to build and 28 seconds to be destroyed, thanks to the 1906 earthquake. The structure has been repaired, restored, and reopened twice since then, and the massive signature dome with its gilt detailing has towered over both tragic and jubilant occasions for decades.
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COIT TOWER
An eccentric, wealthy socialite named Lillie Hitchcock Coit willed a bequest to go towards beautification of the city she loved. In 1933, Coit Tower and the statues of three firefighters were built in her memory. President Roosevelt’s Public Works of Art Project funded a series of controversial fresco murals in the lobby of the tower.
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FOUR EMBARCADERO
The tallest building in a development of six interconnected skyscrapers, this commercial complex holds multiple offices, two hotels, two movie theaters, and an underground shopping center with over 100 shops, bars, and restaurants. In winter, the complex adds to the holiday spirit with the Bay Area’s largest outdoor ice skating rink.
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FLOOD BUILDING
In 1902, James L. Flood hired architect Albert Pissis to build a structure in honor of his late father. Completed in 1904, its steel frame and brick walls withstood the devastation of the 1906 earthquake and fire. This iconic building – which cost just $1.5 million to erect – has been a center of business in San Francisco for over 100 years.
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MARKET CENTER
Located on over 700 feet of Market Street frontage, this pair of towers were built separately. The first building was finished in 1964 and tops out at 21 stories; the second tower was completed in 1975, and is almost twice as tall with 40 floors. With views of the bay, this complex is at the heart of San Francisco’s Business District.
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MILLENIUM CENTER
This 58-story condominium development is the tallest residential building in San Francisco. The tower’s highest level is listed as floor 60, because floors 13 and 44 are missing due to superstitious reasons. Recently a penthouse sold for nearly $15 million dollars; good timing as that same year, the public was notified that the building is sinking and tilting.
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MOMA
Originally opened in 1935, the museum’s 1995 redesign was inspired by the water and fog of the San Francisco Bay. The museum has since expanded again, and now offers special exhibitions, curated permanent collections, and works specially-commissioned for the museum. All in, it’s nearly 45,000 square feet of art-filled free public spaces.
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ONE MARKET PLAZA
Perched on the waterfront, the three buildings in this complex have unobstructed views of the Embarcadero, Ferry Plaza, and both the Golden Gate and Bay bridges. The development is made up of the Southern Pacific Building (aka “The Landmark”), and Spear and Steuart Towers, which are bridged by a 6-story retail and office annex.
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PHELAN
Built in 1881 by James Phelan, this triangular structure was advertised as “fire and earthquake proof.” Alas, the building was badly damaged in the 1906 post-earthquake fire and had to be demolished. Phelan’s son rebuilt in 1909, going from six to 11-stories, including a rooftop garden and penthouse, in which he famously entertained guests with lavish galas.
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PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO
Once gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in 1849, the Bay Area began welcoming tens of thousands of gold-seeking adventurers. The Port quickly became known worldwide as “one of the finest natural harbors in the world.” By 1908, the Port Authority had constructed 23 piers along the waterfront, which remain a vibrant shopping location today.
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ONE RICON HILL
This tower was completed in 2008, and its location and size makes it one of the biggest additions to the San Francisco skyline in 30 years. The building has architectural and structural innovations to help protect it from seismic activity and strong winds. LED floodlights on the crown are the city’s first digital weather beacon.
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RUSS BUILDING
This majestic National Historic Landmark stands in the heart of the Financial District. Interior details have been painstakingly preserved and refurbished over time, and the vintage architecture contrasts with the modern office upgrades to create a new classic. This grand, neo-Gothic building is LEED Platinum and EPA Energy Star certified.
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SALESFORCE TOWER
This modern, sleek building occupies a full city block and is the metro’s tallest structure. Its contemporary details are quintessential Bay area, and the column-free interiors allow collaboration and innovation to thrive. The novel outdoor air intakes on each floor literally bring a breath of fresh air inside, and a host of outside amenities are mere steps away.
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SENTINEL
This classic Beaux-arts flatiron building, clad in white tile and copper, is one of the most distinctive in North Beach. Originally owned by notorious, jailed politician Abe Ruef, it’s now a Francis Ford Coppola property housing his offices, a screening room, a private top-floor apartment, and Zoetrope Restaurant, which features Coppola’s Napa Valley wines.
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TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID
What was once an abomination to San Franciscans, this obelisk-shaped, post-modern building is now one of the city’s most recognizable icons. The hollow spire is 212 feet tall, and the two “wings” house an elevator, stairwell and smoke tower. A plaque honoring two famous dogs – “Bummer” and “Lazarus” – sits at the base of the building.
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ARTWORK OVERVIEW
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THEME OVERVIEW

The Health Center

The Skyscape meme provided a rich canvas to juxtapose iconic architectural landmarks against the natural geometric shapes and colorful backgrounds of the skyscrapers. The result is art that reflects the physical city, as well as the progressive spirit and thought leadership embodied in the highlighted buildings, as members walk the gallery-like hallways and beautifully appointed rooms.

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