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A Look Inside LinkedIn's Controversial New Building

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Not everyone loves the "Darth Vader" of SoMa

Noted San Francisco Chronicle architecture critic John King penned a withering implosion of the new LinkedIn building at 222 Second Street this week. He doesn't hold back. Among a treasure chest of thoughtful barbs, here are a few of his gems:

"...[A]n overbearing 26-story glass box on one prominent corner that has all the charm of a well-tailored packing crate."

"[222 Second] 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."

"...spectacle trumps civility."

"From certain angles the blunt cubes in their pleated cloaks are striking, in a Darth Vader sort of way..."

"...feels exactly like what it is: a tower designed and built by New Yorkers."

"...galling..."

But not everyone feels that way about the Black Swan of SoMa. Some even took it upon themselves to Instagram the latest addition to the area. With a sun-drenched roof deck, yoga rooms, kimchi bowls, and a free beer and ice cream bar, how could you not?

Behold:

The blue majestic of LinkedIn's new offices in San Francisco. (client)

A photo posted by TopRank Marketing (@toprankmarketing) on

#linkedin

A photo posted by munichmatt (@munichmatt) on

An important message from the new @linkedin corporate headquarters: Focus on what matters! (Client)

A photo posted by TopRank Marketing (@toprankmarketing) on

❤️ ⭐️ BALL TABLE LIFTS⭐️ ❤️ Come to table top position. Line shoulders right above hands & hips over knees. Spread fingers wide and press shoulder blades down & back the spine. Round & arch spine & find neutral spine. Keep hips & shoulders squared to mat during the moves, achieve it by tightening the abs around lower spine. Place a ball (I’m using a alb weighted but you can use a small physio ball ) between thigh & calf. Don't drop the ball!!!! 1️⃣. Lift thigh ⬆️. Pause. Lower down. Repeat.... 8x 2️⃣ hold the leg (&ball) & pulse it up & down an inch. Repeat x15 3️⃣ now hold them up and circle the knee around as if you were tracing a tennis ball x8. 4️⃣ Then circle in the other direction X 8 Then do the other side.... is in #fastmode .....Try to keep the spine as still as possible..... Control your body from your core.... @onzie @fabletics What are you doing for #workoutwednesday ?

A video posted by Jessi Albin (@jessifitpilates) on

Rooftop sun break on a workday

A photo posted by Shakhina Pulatova (@shohinagram) on

@linkedin #sf @elninotrainingcenter #AmericanJiuJitsu #bjj #corporateThugs

A photo posted by Eduardo Federico Vargas (@baluvargas) on

Hmmm what should I have for #breakfast today? #KimchiFriedRice #LinkedInLife

A photo posted by Gordon Mak (@gcmak) on

#Dessert is very important to me. #LinkedInLife

A photo posted by Gordon Mak (@gcmak) on

The view from Floor 17. #linkedinlife #linkedin

A photo posted by Elizabeth (Magaña) LaBruzzo (@elizabething) on

New LinkedIn Office. #Linkedin #SanFrancisco #California

A photo posted by Raphael Rondelli (@raphaelrondelli) on

Hello new building

A video posted by เสี่ย เสี่ย (@ciastagram) on