DiscoverBay CuriousTransamerica Pyramid: From 'Architectural Butchery' to Icon
Transamerica Pyramid: From 'Architectural Butchery' to Icon

Transamerica Pyramid: From 'Architectural Butchery' to Icon

Update: 2025-06-12
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Description

The Transamerica Pyramid, located in downtown San Francisco, is a skyline staple. But when it was proposed, people hated the idea of a towering symbol of capitalism so close to neighborhoods like North Beach and Chinatown. Turns out the block where the pyramid stands has a long and storied history. We dig into all that, as well as how public perception of the pyramid's place in the skyline has changed over the past 50 years.




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This story was reported by Carly Severn. Bay Curious is made by Katrina Schwartz, Gabriela Glueck and Christopher Beale. Additional support from Olivia Allen-Price, Jen Chien, Katie Sprenger, Maha Sanad, Alana Walker, Holly Kernan and everyone on Team KQED.

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Transamerica Pyramid: From 'Architectural Butchery' to Icon

Transamerica Pyramid: From 'Architectural Butchery' to Icon

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