A Plan to Fix the Leaning Tower of San Francisco

A luxury residential high rise, conspicuously located near the Bay Bridge in a quickly growing section of the city, could finally have a plan to fix its sagging foundation.

1 minute read

August 29, 2019, 9:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


San Francisco Construction

The Millennium Tower site during construction in 2006. | Hydrogen Iodide / Wikimedia Commons

J.K. Dineen reports: "Independent experts charged with reviewing the proposed $100 million fix to San Francisco’s famously sinking and tilting Millennium Tower endorsed the plan Tuesday, saying that they 'see no reason to withhold approval of the building permit for the structural upgrade of the foundation.'"

The work would require "52 piles to be drilled 250 feet down into bedrock to shore up the building," according to Dineen. "The 2-foot-thick circular steel piles would be filled with steel reinforced concrete."

"The 52 new piles will extend into bedrock beneath the soils and will be structurally connected to the existing foundation by an extension of the building’s concrete mat," adds Dineen.

The work is necessary because the building is leaning 17 inches to the north and west. The building isn't the only structure in the quickly expanding neighborhood to encounter high-profile construction woes. The nearby Transbay Terminal was shut down for most of the year after cracks were discovered in structural beams a few months after opening. 

Tuesday, August 27, 2019 in San Francisco Chronicle

Large blank mall building with only two cars in large parking lot.

Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House

If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.

April 18, 2024 - Central Penn Business Journal

Aeriel view of white sheep grazing on green grass between rows of solar panels.

Coming Soon to Ohio: The Largest Agrivoltaic Farm in the US

The ambitious 6,000-acre project will combine an 800-watt solar farm with crop and livestock production.

April 24, 2024 - Columbus Dispatch

Rendering of wildlife crossing over 101 freeway in Los Angeles County.

World's Largest Wildlife Overpass In the Works in Los Angeles County

Caltrans will soon close half of the 101 Freeway in order to continue construction of the Wallis Annenberg Wildlife Crossing near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County.

April 15, 2024 - LAist

Wind turbines and solar panels against a backdrop of mountains in the Mojave Desert near Palm Springs, California

California Grid Runs on 100% Renewable Energy for Over 9 Hours

The state’s energy grid was entirely powered by clean energy for some portion of the day on 37 out of the last 45 days.

April 24 - Fast Company

Close-up of hand holding up wooden thermometer in front of blurred street

New Forecasting Tool Aims to Reduce Heat-Related Deaths

Two federal agencies launched a new, easy-to-use, color-coded heat warning system that combines meteorological and medical risk factors.

April 24 - Associated Press via Portland Press Herald

View of Dallas city skyline with moderately busy freeway in foreground at twilight.

AI Traffic Management Comes to Dallas-Fort Worth

Several Texas cities are using an AI-powered platform called NoTraffic to help manage traffic signals to increase safety and improve traffic flow.

April 24 - Dallas Morning 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.