SAN FRANCISCO | St Regis Hotel & Residences | 484 FT / 148 M | 42 FLOORS | 2005

[plinko]

Occupying a prime SOMA skyline spot fronting Yerba Buena Gardens, the St. Regis is an interesting study in form by Craig Hartman of SOM. The building incorporates an 9 story historic structure (Williams Building) that houses the Museum of African Diaspora and is adjacent to Mario Botta's Museum of Modern Art. The building is a simple 20 story hotel block with re-entrant corners, topped by a 20 story shaved block of 90 condominiums. The building is capped with a slanting, layered chrystalline parapet wall that creates an interesting form on the skyline. This wall is backlit at night, making the tower lighting some of the most distinctive in the city. Only the SW corner condo units have balconies, which are cantilevered out from the facade.

At 484ft, the building is the 23rd tallest in the city (21st when completed). Due to its location, the tower presents a distinct form in the skyline, particularly when compared with its nearby taller, but much blander Market Street boxes.