History of Salesforce Tower in Timeline

Salesforce Tower, formerly Transbay Tower, is a 1,070-foot skyscraper in San Francisco, California. Completed in 2018, it is the city's tallest building and the second tallest on the West Coast. The 61-story supertall structure at 415 Mission Street houses its main tenant, Salesforce, a cloud-based software company. Designed by renowned architect César Pelli, it was his final completed project. The building surpasses Los Angeles' Wilshire Grand Center in height.

1989: Loma Prieta Earthquake Damages Transbay Terminal

The San Francisco Transbay Terminal, which Salesforce Tower replaced, suffered severe damage due to the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake.

2005: San Francisco Transbay Development Plan

The San Francisco Transbay development plan, encompassing the area around the Transbay Transit Center, was adopted by the city in 2005.

2007: Hines and César Pelli Win Design Competition

Hines Interests Limited Partnership, with architect César Pelli of Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects, won the global competition to design and purchase the Salesforce Tower site in 2007.

2011: Demolition of San Francisco Transbay Terminal

The San Francisco Transbay Terminal was completely demolished in 2011, marking the beginning of the Transbay development plan.

2011: Demolition of Existing Structures

The site of Salesforce Tower, formerly a dilapidated area and entrance to the demolished Transbay Terminal, was cleared in 2011.

2012: Boston Properties Acquires 50% Stake

Boston Properties acquired a 50% stake in the Salesforce Tower project in 2012.

March 27, 2013: Groundbreaking Ceremony

A ceremonial groundbreaking for Salesforce Tower took place on March 27, 2013, marking the official start of construction.

2013: Construction Begins

Construction on Salesforce Tower began in 2013.

2013: Boston Properties Becomes Majority Owner

In 2013, Boston Properties further increased its ownership in the Salesforce Tower project to 95%.

April 11, 2014: Salesforce.com Announced as Anchor Tenant

On April 11, 2014, Salesforce.com signed a lease for 714,000 square feet, becoming the anchor tenant and leading to the building's renaming as Salesforce Tower.

2017: César Pelli's Vision for Salesforce Tower

In 2017, César Pelli, the architect of Salesforce Tower, described his vision for the building as "very tall, very big, but still polite and appropriate."

2017: Salesforce's Lease Commences

Salesforce's lease for Salesforce Tower, valued at US$560 million over 15 1/2 years, began in 2017.

January 8, 2018: First Tenants Move In

The first tenants moved into Salesforce Tower on January 8, 2018.

January 2018: Critical Acclaim for Salesforce Tower's Design

Upon its opening in January 2018, the San Francisco Chronicle's architecture critic John King praised Salesforce Tower's design as "immense but understated" and "overwhelming yet refined."

May 21, 2018: "Day for Night" Light Sculpture Unveiled

On May 21, 2018, Salesforce Tower's crown lit up with "Day for Night," a nine-story electronic light sculpture by Jim Campbell, considered the tallest public art piece in the world.

2018: "Eye of Sauron" for Halloween

In 2018, responding to a petition, the "Day for Night" installation was transformed into the "Eye of Sauron" for Halloween.

2018: Completion of Salesforce Tower

Salesforce Tower was completed in 2018, costing over $1.1 billion.

May 2019: Boston Properties Becomes Sole Owner

Boston Properties bought out Hines' remaining 5% stake in Salesforce Tower in May 2019, becoming the sole owner and operator.

2019: Boston Properties Acquires Full Ownership

By 2019, Boston Properties had acquired a 100% stake in Salesforce Tower.

2019: Public Tours of Ohana Floor Begin

In 2019, Salesforce began offering monthly public tours of the Ohana Floor, the observation deck and lounge on the 61st floor.

2019: Death of César Pelli

Salesforce Tower was one of César Pelli's final completed projects before his death in 2019.

2019: Best Tall Building Worldwide Award

Salesforce Tower was recognized as the "Best Tall Building Worldwide" for 2019 by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH).

2021: Annual "Eye of Sauron" Tradition

As of 2021, the "Eye of Sauron" display on Salesforce Tower became an annual tradition for Halloween.

2022: "Midnight Artist Series" Launched

By 2022, "Day for Night" expanded to include a monthly "Midnight Artist Series" showcasing other artists, along with themed content for special occasions.

2024: Tallest Building in San Francisco

As of 2024, Salesforce Tower became the tallest building in San Francisco and the second-tallest building both in California and west of the Mississippi River.