The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest and most recognizable skyscraper in the San Francisco skyline. It has a structural height of 260 meters (853 feet) and contains 48 stories of retail and office space. Construction was begun in 1969 and finished in 1972. Although it no longer houses the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, it is still strongly associated with company and is depicted in the company's logo. Designed by architect William Pereira, it faced considerable opposition during its planning and construction, and was sometimes referred to by detractors as "Pereira's Prick."
The building itself is a tall, four-sided pyramid with two "wings" on opposite sides of the building. The wing to the east of the building contains an elevator shaft, while the wing to the west contains a stairwell and a smoke tower. The top 64.6 meters (212 feet) of the building is the spire. There are four cameras pointed in the four cardinal directions at the top of this spire. Four monitors in the lobby broadcast the cameras' views 24 hours a day.
The Transamerica Pyramid was the tallest skyscraper west of the Mississippi from 1972-1974, at which point it was surpassed by the Aon Center in Los Angeles.
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