You’ve probably seen the postcard shots. The Transamerica Pyramid piercing the fog, or maybe the Salesforce Tower glowing like a giant lightsaber over SoMa. But honestly, if you haven’t looked at the San Francisco skyline lately—like, really looked at it—you’re missing a pretty wild story of architectural ego, engineering nightmares, and a very expensive $400 million face-lift.
San Francisco isn't just "tall" anymore. It's dense. It's complicated. And as of January 2026, it's undergoing a weird identity crisis where some of its most famous giants are sitting empty while others are being rebuilt from the inside out.
The Undisputed King: Salesforce Tower
Let’s get the big one out of the way. Salesforce Tower is still the tallest building in San Francisco. It stands at a massive 1,070 feet. It’s the city’s only "supertall" (a building over 300 meters), and it’s basically the North Star for anyone lost in the Financial District.
But here’s the thing: it wasn't supposed to be that way. Originally, César Pelli designed it to be 1,200 feet. The city trimmed it down because, well, San Francisco is obsessive about shadows and views. Even at its "shorter" height, it towers over everything else by more than 200 feet. The top 150 feet? Purely ornamental. It’s just a crown of glass and LED lights that project art into the night sky.
If you want the best view, you’ve gotta find a way into the Ohana Floor on the 61st story. It’s not a public observation deck in the touristy sense, but they do community tours. Looking down from there, the rest of the city looks like a Lego set.
The Pyramid’s $400 Million Comeback
For decades, the Transamerica Pyramid was the icon. Then Salesforce showed up and took the crown. People thought the Pyramid might fade into the background.
✨ Don't miss: Weather Las Vegas NV Monthly: What Most People Get Wrong About the Desert Heat
Nope.
In late 2024 and throughout 2025, the Pyramid underwent a massive "remastering" led by Michael Shvo and architect Lord Norman Foster. They spent hundreds of millions of dollars. They didn't make it taller—it’s still 853 feet—but they changed how it feels. They stripped away decades of "corporate beige" and exposed the original structural diagrid in the lobby.
What’s really cool now is the Transamerica Redwood Park at its base. They transplanted nearly 50 mature redwoods from the Santa Cruz Valley. In the middle of a concrete jungle, you’re standing under 100-foot-tall trees. It’s a vibe. Honestly, it’s probably the most successful "second act" any building in California has ever had.
The "Hole in the Ground" Everyone Ignores
You can't talk about the tallest buildings in San Francisco without talking about the one that should be there but isn't. Oceanwide Center.
Located at 50 First Street, right across from Salesforce, it was supposed to be the city’s second-tallest building at 910 feet. Instead, it’s a giant pit. Construction stalled years ago because of money issues with the Chinese developers.
🔗 Read more: Weather in Lexington Park: What Most People Get Wrong
As of early 2026, there's finally some movement. A group called the San Francisco Recovery Fund put down a deposit to buy the site. They’re looking to turn that eyesore into something useful, though it’s unlikely we’ll see a 900-foot tower anytime soon. Most experts think they’ll scale back the plans to fit the "new" San Francisco economy.
Breaking Down the Top 5
If you're keeping score at home, here is how the top of the skyline actually stacks up right now:
- Salesforce Tower: 1,070 feet. Completed in 2018. It’s the second-tallest building west of the Mississippi, trailing only the Wilshire Grand in LA.
- Transamerica Pyramid: 853 feet. The 1972 classic. Recently renovated with a new sky bar and elite amenities.
- 181 Fremont: 802 feet. This one is sleek. It has a literal bridge connecting it to the Salesforce Park. It’s also one of the most earthquake-safe buildings in the world.
- 555 California Street: 779 feet. Formerly the Bank of America Center. It’s a dark, monolithic slab that feels very "Old San Francisco."
- 345 California Center: 695 feet. Known for the twin spires on top. It’s actually part of a hotel (the Four Seasons) and offers some of the best high-altitude sleep in the city.
The Leaning Tower of SoMa
We have to talk about the Millennium Tower. At 645 feet, it’s a beautiful blue-glass skyscraper. It’s also famous for sinking and tilting.
For years, it was a punchline. Engineers have spent the last couple of years "fixing" it by anchoring it to bedrock (the "perimeter pile upgrade"). They basically jacked up the building to stop it from leaning toward Fremont Street. It seems to be working, but it’s a reminder that building on San Francisco "mud" is a risky game. Bedrock is everything.
What's Next: The Future Skyline
Is the city done growing? Not quite.
💡 You might also like: Weather in Kirkwood Missouri Explained (Simply)
There’s a proposal for 77 Beale Street that is absolutely insane. If it gets approved and built, it would stand 1,225 feet tall. That would make it taller than the Salesforce Tower and the tallest building in California.
Then there’s 530 Howard Street. It’s slated to be the tallest residential building in the city at 843 feet. It’s moving through the permit process right now. Unlike the office towers of the past, this one is mostly apartments.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're heading downtown to see these giants, don't just stare at the glass. Do these three things to actually experience the architecture:
- Walk the Salesforce Park: It’s a 5.4-acre park floating 70 feet above the street. It winds through the "canyon" of the tallest buildings. You get a perspective of the towers you can't get from the sidewalk.
- Check the Pyramid Lighting: The new LED system on the Transamerica Pyramid is spectacular. If there’s a holiday or a major city event, the spire lighting is world-class.
- Visit the 181 Fremont Gallery: They often have art installations in the public areas. It’s a great way to see how luxury residential design has shifted in the SoMa district.
The San Francisco skyline is a mix of 1970s ambition and 2020s tech money. It’s beautiful, it’s expensive, and occasionally, it sinks a little. But it’s never boring.