In the years since its 1972 completion, this bold pyramid has come to symbolize San Francisco, a role similar to New York City's Empire State Building or Chicago's Sears Tower. Designed by William Pereira to house the headquarters of the Transamerica Corporation, a leasing and financial institution, the elegant 48-story spire is San Francisco's tallest building, rising 853ft from street level to the tip of its 212ft hollow lantern. The pyramid's slanted sides reduce the extent of its shadow on surrounding structures. The lobby gallery hosts changing exhibits of contemporary art and design. Although the public is denied access to upper floors, a lobby-level Virtual Observation Deckwired to rooftop monitors offers bird's-eye perspectives on the city in every direction.To the east, a peaceful grove planted with some 40 redwood trees forms a tranquil forest oasis.