555 California Street, San Francisco

555 California Street in San Francisco stands as the city's second tallest building, symbolizing the wealth and influence of the Bank of America. Originally named the Bank of America Centre, this impressive 52-story skyscraper graces the Financial District, commonly known as "FiDi," a bustling commercial hub in San Francisco. Constructed in 1969, the architectural genius Pietro Belluschi collaborated with renowned firms Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill, as well as Wurster, Bernardi, and Emmons, to design this remarkable structure.

To the north of the building, a grand plaza serves as a tribute to A.P. Giannini, the founder of the Bank of America. Within this plaza, one can find the captivating granite sculpture titled 'Transcendence,' crafted by Masayuki Nagare. Ascending through a high-speed elevator, visitors once enjoyed the exclusive 'Carnelian Room,' a renowned restaurant located on the 52nd floor, named after the carnelian granite that adorns the building. Additionally, the distinctive bay windows, a common sight throughout the city, contribute to the magnificence of this architectural marvel.

555 California Street not only houses the offices of prominent business entities like Goldman Sachs, Kirkland and Ellis, Barclays Capital, and Morgan Stanley but has also graced the silver screen, appearing in films such as 'An Eye for an Eye' and 'The Towering Inferno.' Following the 1998 merger with Nations Bank, the Bank of America relocated its headquarters to Charlotte, and the building underwent a $1.05 billion sale in 2005, leading to its present-day name, 555 California Street.