Take a tour of the changes coming the to the Transbay District in San Francisco.
"Anyone who explores San Francisco’s Transbay district today encounters a slice of a city in flux," writes San Francisco Chronicle architecture critic John King. "At one extreme, structural steel pushes toward the sky and straddles gridlocked streets. At the other, alleyways sprout life that would have been unimaginable a generation ago."
The specifics of the first half of that description include the city's soon-to-be tallest building, under construction now and two more skyscrapers set to begin construction soon. Expected soon for Planning Commission review are also plans for yet another skyscraper that would exceed the city's tallest existing buildings.
King provides a design preview of the abundance of tall buildings, designed by such luminaries of the architecture field as Foster + Partners and OMA. After looking up at these forthcoming projects, King shifts the perspective of the column to provide this optimistic summation of the forthcoming collection of projects:
Today we’re confronted by cranes and noise. Once the dust settles, with luck and vigilant planning, we’ll have a dynamic 21st century neighborhood that’s a fresh twist on what a West Coast city can be.
FULL STORY: Rising buildings mean rising expectations for Transbay district
New Supertall Skyscraper Coming to Manhattan
The latest supertall addition to the New York skyline departs from the recent glut of skinny residential buildings popping up in Manhattan. The new building at 270 Park Avenue will have significantly more girth and be filled with offices.
New Skyscraper Blooming on London's Skyline
A new tulip-shaped tower designed by Foster + Partners is planned for London. Approval is still pending.
The Iconic Transamerica Pyramid: Now the Second Tallest Building in San Francisco
San Francisco's Transamerica Pyramid, designed by architect William Pereira, is no longer the tallest building in the city. The city's architecture critic expects it will still be the most iconic building in the city.
What ‘The Brutalist’ Teaches Us About Modern Cities
How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.
‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.
The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.
Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.
San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.
Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research