HIGHLIGHTS
TRANSAMERICA PYRAMID CENTER
Q2
• SUMMER / 2012
CHINESE DELEGATION MAKE THE PYRAMID A PRIORITY STOP
This February, the Transamerica Pyramid had the unique pleasure
of hosting members from the China Energy Conservation
and Environment Protection Group (CECEPG), China’s largest
government owned energy efficiency company, as they toured
San Francisco’s best energy retrofit buildings. Mr. Yu Honghui
led the seven-person delegation from China who were visiting
the U.S. starting in San Francisco. The Transamerica Pyramid
was high on their list due to the building’s LEED® Platinum
status for environmental sustainability. The tour, lead by chief
engineer Doug Peterson, included members of the CECEPG as
well as senior vice president for National Cleantech & Emerging
Doug Peterson welcomes the Chinese Delegation to the Pyramid and
Tech Markets for Wells Fargo Bank, Manao Keegan, who helped
begins touring the group from the CECEPG.
arrange the tour. The group was impressed with the many energy
upgrades and programs supported by the building’s ownership and management, as well as the unique architecture and
views from the 48th floor.
Of particular interest to the group was the onsite Co-generation plant located in the basement of the building, which
produces on average 70% of the building’s electricity and 100% of heating and domestic hot water needs. This upgrade,
which was substantially responsible for the LEED Platinum certification, has reduced the Transamerica Pyramid’s combined expenses for gas, electricity, and water by over $2.5M in the past four years. Other programs include a successful
recycling and compost program resulting in a waste diversion rate of 70 percent; and tenant educational programs such
as an annual Health and Sustainability Fair, a Carbon Footprint contest, and free electronic recycling events.
SUMMER
2012
News & Events.......................1-3
Tenant Spotlight.....................4
Concierge’s Corner................6
Event Calendar.......................7
Doug Peterson explains the energy efficiency upgrades at the Pyramid.
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DISCOVERY CHANNEL TO FEATURE THE PYRAMID
Windfall Films, an award-winning documentary company that focuses on science and engineering programming, was out in
force this March filming the Pyramid for a new documentary series for The Discovery Channel called “Strip the City”. The
program has traveled to such notable cities as London, Rome, Toronto, Sydney, Dubai, and of course, San Francisco was in the
mix! The goal of the series is to show the unique geology, history and engineering of the most famous sites in each of these
cities. Each segment focuses on six landmarks, and uses the most sophisticated Computer Generated Imaging (CGI) to show a
region’s geological challenges while rewinding time to reveal how various incarnations of an area since the Precambrian era
have left their imprint in the landscape. Then to explain how these legacies challenge engineers on large-scale city projects
both past and present.
The filming of the Pyramid had its own challenges with weather conditions, but in the end, the outcome will be a tribute to the
unique architecture and engineering of the building – which was ahead of its time and is still looked to as a model for shape,
sunlight dispersal, outstanding seismic features and beauty. Our skyline just wouldn’t be the same without it. The series is
expected to air in late 2012 or early 2013.
505 – ITS HISTORY AND CLAIM TO FAME
Formerly dubbed “Transamerica Two” 505 Sansome has
a history in its own right. It remains one of the only “open
air” buildings in the city. The windows of the 20-story
building open to allow for fresh air circulation from the
bay, with balconies to enjoy the views and the breezes. It
is also home to Redwood Park, one of the jewels of San
Francisco that is open to the public during weekly office
hours for sitting, relaxing
and enjoying the fountains
But what many
and splendor. The building
don’t know about
regularly displays local
artists’ works in its Winter the building is its
Garden atrium; and offers facinating history.
all of the amenities of the
world-renowned Transamerica Pyramid Center.
But what many don’t know about the building is its
fascinating history. Montgomery Street, once home to the
edge of the bay, meant ships traveled into San Francisco as
a major port. Buried under the site of 505 Sansome is the
Niantic ship.
Buried under 505 Sansome is the famous whaleship Niantic. 505 is a 20-story,
185,000 sf “fresh air” office building with park views and an art-filled atrium.
Niantic was a vessel that brought fortune-seekers to Yerba
Buena, later renamed San Francisco, during the California
Gold Rush of 1849. Run aground and converted into a
(cont. on page 3)
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(cont. from page 2)
storeship and hotel, she was a prominent landmark in the booming city for several
years. The site of Niantic is now a California Historical Landmark. Artifacts excavated
in 1978 and the ship’s log from her last voyage are on display in the San Francisco
Maritime Museum. A mermorial plaque is displayed on the Clay Street side of the
building.
The bay has since subsided, and the city has changed dramatically, but the history
of this location remains an amazing story and a part of the building’s great legacy.
Niantic Ship - circa 1849.
REDWOOD PARK GETS EVEN MORE BEAUTIFUL JUST IN TIME FOR SPRING
As if this tranquil park with its sky-reaching Redwoods, peaceful fountains, works of sculptured art and forest-like setting were
not beautiful enough, AllBay Landscaping has been commissioned by the Transamerica Pyramid Center to make it even more
serene and authentic. The goal is to create and restore the understory plantings to best resemble a visit to a Redwood forest;
therefore they are removing plants from the park that are not indigenous, and
replacing them with plants that are native to the region. The existing tree ferns,
which are not native, will be relocated to the backside of the new landscaping
to help screen the brick wall and create a backdrop to the new fern setting.
The finished landscaping under the grove of trees will consist of a forest floor
with low groundcovers, Baby Tears (Soleiriolia soleiroli) and native oxalis (Oxalis
oregano) at the paver edges transitioning to a mixture of two native ferns
-- the western sword fern (Polystichum-munitum) and the giant chain fern
(Woodwardia fimbriata). The photo to the left is a sample of the new indigenous
landscape.
48th FLOOR UPGRADES TO IMPROVE LIGHTING AND AMBIANCE
48th Floor lighting improvements- BEFORE
48th Floor lighting improvements- AFTER
As we upgrade the 48th floor for tenant events and meetings, lighting was a priority. Old fixtures were replaced with LED
lighting. An LED lamp is a solid-state lamp that uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light.
One high power LED chip used in LED lights can emit up to 7,500 lumens for an electrical power consumption of 100 watts.
LED lamps offer a long service life and high-energy efficiency. And the new colored lighting system allows for unlimited
combinations; a dramatic way to enhance the experience at San Francisco’s premier destination. It’s just another way the
Pyramid is improving its energy efficiency.
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600 MONTGOMERY
TENANT
SPOTLIGHT
Heller Manus Architects
Heller Manus Architects
Inside the new Heller Manus offices.
Heller Manus Architects, founded in 1984, is an internationally recognized, San Francisco-based architecture and urban design firm, with offices
in San Francisco and Shanghai. Jeffrey Heller, FAIA, President, and Clark Manus, FAIA, CEO, have dedicated more than twenty-five years to
developing a diversified, client-oriented firm that is a design and sustainability leader in the profession.
Heller Manus’ depth of experience encompasses a wide range of major new construction and historical renovation projects including residential,
commercial, mixed use, civic, rehabilitation and adaptive re-use, performance facilities, sustainability, hotel and retail, master planning and
urban design. With their unique experience in difficult approvals situations, Heller Manus provides a tailored personal approach to the design and
planning situation of each project. Always looking to expand the concept of building usage, Heller Manus has positively improved and engaged
each building’s particular environment.
Heller Manus International has experienced dynamic growth throughout China including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Inner Mongolia, and the greater
Beijing area. The firm was recently interviewed for a feature in The New York Times about how American architectural firms are finding China to be
a dynamic and opportune environment for creating unique architecture and urban designs.
Heller Manus recently located their offices in the Transamerica Pyramid. According to Clark Manus, they chose a location that immediately inspired
them: the former Redwood Park restaurant on the ground floor of the Pyramid. Jeffrey Heller says it was a case of everything falling into place
that made it possible, from availability, to permitting, to a lightening-speed one-month build out that produced the perfect space for this unique
architectural firm.
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For more information on Heller Manus Architects, visit: www.hellermanus.com
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
Summer afternoons with People in Plazas Concerts!
The Transamerica Pyramid Center will be hosting a series of summer
afternoon concerts in Redwood Park from noon to 1 p.m. on Thursdays
in July, August, and September. Take a break from your workday, bring
your lunch, a friend and enjoy
live music from local artists in
the park! For more info visit
www.peopleinplazas.org.
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SEPT
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LaTiDo
La Mixta Criolla
Nicholas Bearde
MIssion Varrio Project
Randy Moore
Ramana Viera Ensemble
Larry Walker Quartet
Skunkweed Junction
Bobbie Webb
Matt Baxter Quartet
Rhumba Astuta
Stompy Jones
Andre Theirry
Music of the Americas
Salsa
Jazz/Blues Vocals
Latin
Jazz
Portugese Fado
Jazz/R&B
Classic Country
Blues
R&B/Blues
Salsa
Jump Swing
Zydeco
Behind The Scenes
NATHAN RYBCZYNSKI (RIB-CHIN-SKI)
APPRENTICE ENGINEER
Nathan is an Apprentice Engineer for the Pyramid Center. He assists with all aspects required of the
Engineering Department.
Nathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from CSU East Bay with five years of
experience as a machinist, two years as a welding technichian and 12 years of building maintenance
experience in the East Bay. He plans to enroll in a four year apprenticeship program under the Union
Stationary Engineers Local 39, San Francisco.
Nathan is excited about this opportunity with the Transamerica Pyramid Center where he performs
a variety of tasks for one of the world’s most renowned buildings. “I am learning new things on a daily basis and I get to use my
engineering knowledge each day,” says Nathan. Plus, working in downtown San Francisco is what he calls “pretty awesome!”
Nathan is recently married to his wife Meghan and lives in Livermore. He enjoys golf, disc golf, and bowling. He also builds and repairs
musical equipment and is involved in his dad’s band, “Small Change” setting up sound equipment and filling in for band members when
needed. If that’s not enough to keep him busy, Nathan also does volunteer work for his Church.
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THE TRANSAMERICA
PYRAMID
600 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
505 SANSOME
505 Sansome St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
545 SANSOME
545 Sansome St.
San Francisco, CA 94111
FOR LEASING
INFORMATION
CONTACT:
Margaret Duskin
Senior Director
[email protected]
415.773.3538
Ross Robinson
Director
[email protected]
415.773.3576
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PER DIEM is a relatively new addition to the Financial District dining scene. Its interior
is one of the most dramatic bar/restaurant spaces in the area – a two-story atrium
with a broad stairway to a dining loft and a second bar, plus an impressive chandelier
and enormous draping hawsers. The décor is a challenge to describe, but awesome in
its impact. Nautical chic is the only term that comes to mind, with a little barn board,
venetian embroidery and Mediterranean blue thrown in. The bar in the main floor offers
the best perspective of the space, and for that
reason, along with the resident mixologists’
mastery of the drinks, it draws quite a following.
Per Diem is an ideal place to meet for a relaxed
lunch or after work for cocktails and hors
d’oeuvres. The food is self-described as Italian
with a California twist that Chef Adam Hinojosa
(formerly of Osteria and Café Des Amis) has
inspired. The menu offers a nice selection of
appetizers, including fresh oysters, pizzettas,
steamed mussels and seafood fritto misto. My
favorite starter is a side dish of brocollini with
toasted lemon and nuts. For lunch, the Po
Boy with cornmeal fried oysters is outstanding,
along with the brisket sandwich and the truffled
egg salad with pancetta. Two pasta dishes are
notable: the bucatini with pork ragu and chicken
fusilli with aglio e olio. Cioppino is one of Per
Diem’s signature dishes. The menu is not
extensive, but nicely balanced. The prices are
reasonable. The wait staff is friendly and knowledgeable, the kitchen can be a bit slow,
but worth the wait. Per Diem is located at 43 Sutter Street and is open for lunch and
dinner on weekdays.
For more information, visit www.perdiemsf.com.
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1. Union Street
Festival
June 2 - 3
Union Street
unionstreetfestival.com
2. Haight Ashbury
Street Fair
June 10
Haight-Ashbury
haightashburystreetfair.org
3. US Open Golf
Championship
June 11 – 17
Olympic Club, SF
usga.org
4. Stern Grove Music
Festival
June - August
Stern Grove Park
sterngrove.org
5. Independence Day
Fireworks
July 4
Pier 39
pier39.com
6. San Francisco
Marathon
July 29
Embarcadero Street
thesfmarathon.com
7. Shakespeare
In the Park
September 2012
The Presidio
sfshakes.org
8. Opera at the
Ballpark
Sept 15
AT&T Park
sfopera.com
9. America’s Cup
July 4 – Sept. 22
2013
San Francisco
americascup.com
WWW.TRANSAMERICAPYRAMIDCENTER.COM
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