Revamped Transamerica Pyramid benches quickly become skating hotspot

One of the defining aspects of the recen tly unveiled $250 million first-phase makeover of San Francisco’s Transamerica Pyramid complex was the meticulous refurbishing of public spaces around the iconic building, including seating areas along sidewalks.

While some might see new patios as perfect for a coffee meeting and others might see the refurbished redwood park as a place for contemplation, skateboarders quickly identified planters with stone benches outside the building as prime real estate for board sliding — in which skateboarders leap up and scrape the underside of their decks along an edge.

“It’s good material,” said one of 11 young men enthusiastically grinding the shiny benches in rapid succession on Wednesday night near the corner of Montgomery and Washington streets.

The man declined to give his name, saying he did not want something written about him damaging property, which his skateboarding activity was clearly doing, judging by the scuffs and paint marks left by him and his compatriots.

A spokesperson for SHVO, the company leading the $1 billion “remastering” of the pyramid complex, confirmed that skateboarding had emerged as an issue, and said metal features were to be installed to discourage the activity.

SHVO, along with Deutsche Finance America and the German pension group Bayerische Versorgungskammer, paid $650 million in 2020 to buy the 48-story Transamerica Pyramid complex , which includes two other sizable buildings.

The initial phase of SHVO’s renovation plan, led by legendary architect Lord Norman Foster, features swanky indoor upgrades as well as extensive updates to its public spaces, including new outdoor seating, a dramatic new lobby, and rotating art installations in the renovated redwood garden. There are also plans for two nearby restaurants.

The building at 505 Sansome St. — Two Transamerica — had its lobby and other interiors updated as part of the first phase. Still to come is the planned transformation of a nine-story Art Deco office building at 545 Sansome — Three Transamerica — that will add six stories.