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Free Traveling Guides » States » California » San Francisco
Transamerica Pyramid
The Transamerica Pyramid is the tallest and one of the most recognizable buildings in San Francisco. It was built in 1972, has 48 stories, and stands at a height of 853 feet (260 m) above sea level. It was built as the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation but has since been bought by the Dutch insurance company AEGON.
From 1972 to 1974, the Transamerica Pyramid was the tallest building in the United States west of the Mississippi River. It is currently (as of 2007) the 88th tallest building in the world, closely followed by the nearby Bank of America. The 3,678 windows take a month to wash.
The 212-foot (64.6 m) spire on top boasts a virtual observation deck run by four cameras, one on each side. The pyramid used to have a real observation deck on the 27th floor, but this was closed following the 9/11 attacks.
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