“Wow look at that glass” One Montgomery Tower dominates the San Francisco skyline. Its imposing presence is undeniable.
This architectural marvel wasn’t always known as One Montgomery Tower. Originally called Pacific Telesis Tower it reflects its past. The name changed as tenants and times changed. Today it stands tall a symbol of San Francisco’s financial strength.
Completed in 1982 One Montgomery Tower is more than just an office building. It’s a 38-story testament to innovative design. Skidmore Owings & Merrill designed it. The architects cleverly incorporated red granite and glass. This creates a stunning aesthetic. The tower’s unique facade isn’t just pretty. It’s also highly functional. Note the small squares marking the intersections of each block of four windows. Clever right?
But there’s more to this story. The construction of One Montgomery Tower wasn’t without its changes. It involved demolishing the top ten floors of the adjacent Crocker Bank building. This created a privately-owned public open space. Now that’s a smart use of space.
One Montgomery Tower houses thousands of office workers. It connects directly to the Crocker Galleria mall. That’s convenient for its residents and visitors alike. Big name tenants include the Wikimedia Foundation. They have their headquarters on the sixteenth floor. The consulate general of the Netherlands also resides here. And don’t forget about Stitch Fix. Even one of the first cashierless Amazon Go stores opened here.
The main entrance of One Montgomery Tower is at 120 Kearny Street. This is a little known fact. Despite its name the main entrance isn’t on Montgomery Street.
So next time you find yourself in San Francisco’s financial district take a moment to admire One Montgomery Tower. It’s a modern marvel with a rich history. It’s more than just a building. It’s a piece of San Francisco’s story.