Dezeen Magazine

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

Renzo Piano joins roster of starchitects adding to San Francisco's skyline

Another skyscraper is set for San Francisco's SoMa district, this time by Italian architect Renzo Piano.

The mixed-use skyscraper will rise 37 storeys at 555 Howard Street, close to the Transbay Transit Hub that is currently under construction.

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

The surrounding South of Market (SoMa) area is also undergoing huge development, with tall buildings by Foster + Partners, Studio Gang and OMA all proposed or currently rising in the neighbourhood.

Renzo Piano Building Workshop is working with local practice Mark Cavagnero Associates on the project, which will house 69 residences and a 255-room luxury hotel.

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

Renderings show a glass-sheathed rectilinear building, which will provide views of the Bay Bridge and across the city from a "skybar" and open public space on the roof.

The tower's form will step in slightly around halfway up. The lower portion will accommodate the hotel, with condos above.

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

Other amenities will include meeting and ballroom facilities, a spa and fitness centre, and a ground-floor restaurant.

Cultural destinations like the recently extended SFMOMA and a string of smaller galleries will be within walking distance.

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

Piano is no stranger to the city, having already completed the California Academy of Sciences in the Golden Gate Park. Other well known architecture firms working in the city, which has experienced a boom since tech companies and startups began setting up in the region, include David Adjaye and SHoP Architects.

Piano's previous skyscrapers include the New York Times building, which opened in Manhattan in 2007, and The Shard in London completed in 2012 – which the architect discusses in this movie.

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

His studio also proposed a tower for the UK capital's Paddington area in 2016, but its height was slashed by 54 storeys after complaints before the project was halted last month.

Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates

More images

555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates
Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates
555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates
Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates
555 Howard Tower, Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates
Renderings by Steelblue, Architecture by Renzo Piano Building Workshop in collaboration with Mark Cavagnero Associates