Rincon Tower in San Francisco

Rincon Tower, also known as One Rincon Hill, is a residential tower complex in San Francisco that is under construction at the apex of Rincon Hill at 425 First Street. The completed skyscrapers will be among the highest residential buildings on the west coast. They are expected to be 60 stories and stand 641 feet tall.

Fast Facts

1. Architect: Solomon Cordwell
2. Groundbreaking: November 2005
3. Expense: $290 million
4. Expected to open Late 2008 and early 2009
5. Available Rooms: 695 condos, 14 townhomes
6. Condo Prices: $500,000 - $2 million

The Architecture

The two towers were inspired by a late-modernist feel and The Heritage at Milennium Park in Chicago. While the North Tower is a bit shorter than the South, both have curved aluminum and glass panels. Developed by Urban West Associates, the complex is their second project in San Francisco. Previous to Rincon Tower, they developed One Embarcadero South, another residential complex.

Earthquake Proof?

To support the structures, a twelve foot thick foundation is embedded into serpentine rock. This is the same rock that also suspends the Golden Gate Bridge. With a steel buckling design and reinforced concrete outriggers, the building can sway, but will be shock-absorbed therefore in the event of an earthquake no buckling should occur.

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