San Francisco Tower Takes On Many Meanings

Urban design critic John King’s aversion to LinkedIn’s new office space points to long-standing tensions in San Francisco.

2 minute read

April 7, 2016, 10:00 AM PDT

By Elana Eden


LinkedIn

Melissa Clark / Flickr

Designed by Gensler and Thomas Phifer, the LinkedIn office in San Francisco's South of Market district is either the city's "Black Swan" or a soulless overlord.

To some, the 26-story glass tower and its ground-floor public space convey elegance and grace. The pillar of dark glass reflects light in different ways throughout the day; at the lower level, the smoky tint lifts away to create a transparent entry.

But what Phifer bills as "muted," "soft," and "rich," San Francisco Chronicle critic John King calls "sullen," a "void," and a "black hole"—likening the dark structure to Darth Vader.

Phifer and developer Tishman Speyer are both New York-based, and LinkedIn is one of a few tech giants snapping up San Francisco's space—and, some would argue, its soul.

"The newcomer serves as a cautionary tale showing what can happen when out-of-town developers and architects have their own vision of what a city like San Francisco should be," King writes.

King's complaint isn't with 222's architectural achievement. It's that in his view, the design claims a neighborly attitude while making no attempt to work with its surroundings—an argument not unlike those made against tech companies themselves.

Even in the building's formally public area, King writes, "spectacle trumps civility… Impressive? Yes. Would you relax there with a book, or meet an old friend for a cup of coffee? Maybe not." 

It's all part, he says, of a "chic veil" that, when stripped away, reveals "nothing more than a container designed for tenants seeking large floorplates — a real estate pro forma that’s as big as the city would allow it to be."

More on the building at 222's website.

Thursday, March 31, 2016 in San Francisco Chronicle

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.