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San Francisco's 20 most iconic buildings

A skyline in flux

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The San Francisco cityscape you see now is but a fleeting image. The city's explosive building boom has our skyline morphing as fast as the Apple product roster. But in this age of change, some things really do stay the same. Here's a look at 20 iconic San Francisco buildings that have withstood the test of time.

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Transamerica Pyramid

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In true San Francisco fashion, this building was reviled by many when it was completed in 1972 as the headquarters for the Transamerica Corporation (they no longer occupy it). The purpose of its tapered design is to let light onto the street below. Back then, San Francisco Chronicle architectural critic Alan Temko called it "the biggest architectural dunce cap in the world." Now, it's one of the most beloved and recognizable buildings in the city.

The Sentinel

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Construction on this flatiron building started in 1906. Luckily, it survived the earthquake and was finished in 1907. Today, it's known for its distinctive shape and copper cladding (which has turned green over the years). After he was released from San Quentin, San Francisco's famously corrupt political boss Abe Ruef made his office in the top floor. Today it's owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola, and he maintains an office in the building.

A photo posted by Lisa Raciti (@lisaraciti) on

Coit Tower

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Coit Tower stands at the top of Telegraph Hill like an exclamation point. The fluted concrete structure was erected in honor of Lillie Hitchcock Coit and built with money she left the city to add beauty to the place she said she always loved. It's known for the stunning, 360-degree views from the top and the murals painted by artists for the Public Works of Art Project (precursor to the WPA).

A photo posted by Kat (@katpapera) on

San Francisco City Hall

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The Beaux Arts City Hall building has existed here since 1915 (an earlier version was leveled by the 1906 earthquake). Its regal dome is the fifth largest in the world.

Palace of Fine Arts

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The Palace of Fine Arts is in a state of flux, waiting for another tenant after the Exploratorium moved to a new building. It was created in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exhibition, and it is the only structure that was left standing after the event.

A photo posted by Shot On iPhone (@colorgamut) on

de Young Museum

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The de Young is located in Golden Gate Park. It exhibits American art from the 17th century to the present, international modern art, textiles, and tribal art. The modernist copper-clad building was created by Herzog & de Meuron and Fong + Chan. It opened in 2005.

A photo posted by Wes (@wes.ly) on

Painted Ladies

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The row of Victorian houses on Steiner Street along Alamo Park are known simply as the Painted Ladies. This scenic stretch of street has been the backdrop for many postcards, commercials, movies, and television shows, notably Full House.

Ferry Building

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Not only is the San Francisco Ferry Building a terminal for ferries, it's the site of amazing food shops and a bi-weekly farmers' market. The building is topped by a distinctive clock tower.

A photo posted by Steve Fadden (@sfadden) on

Russ Building

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They don't build skyscrapers like this anymore. The Russ Building is marked by a distinctive Neo-Gothic facade. When the 32-floor edifice was finished in 1927, it was home to the city's first indoor parking garage.

A photo posted by WHISK (@whisk.sf) on

St. Mary's Cathedral

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Locals sometimes call this modernist church "Our Lady of Maytag," due to a design that vaguely resembles a washing machine agitator. Its design history is more sophisticated, however. Its shape (when seen from above) is based on a cross. In 2007, the AIASF chose it as one of the city's top 25 buildings.

2500 Steiner

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In a recent Curbed article, this apartment building was described as "one of the most prominent buildings in the city." It's located in Pacific Heights off Alta Plaza Park, and is home to many notable San Franciscans.

Phelan Building

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This pie-shaped office building is at the intersection of Market and O'Farrell Sts. and Grant Ave. The city landmark was erected in 1908.

A photo posted by Courtney Sabo (@courtney_sabo) on

555 California St

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At this moment, the tall, brown building is arguably the most distinctive on the city's skyline. Until recently, it was known as the Bank of America Center. It's also partially owned by president-elect Donald Trump.

A photo posted by Ben Vickery (@bvickery) on

140 New Montgomery

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The Art Deco building at 140 New Montgomery St. started life as the headquarters for Pacific Telephone when it was built in 1925. It was the first high-rise south of Market Street. Today, it's where Yelp is located.

A photo posted by Ben Vickery (@bvickery) on

InterContinental Mark Hopkins

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The InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco is a luxury hotel sited on the top of Nob Hill. It recently celebrated 94 years. A stunning example of Nob Hill's stately luxury.

A photo posted by @madythebaddiee on

Flood Building

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The Flood Building (named for the Flood family of Comstock Lode fame) is a 12 story high-rise in the heart of the Financial District. It's a survivor of the 1906 quake.

A photo posted by Jemar Garcia (@jemargarcia) on

Grace Cathedral

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Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal church atop Nob Hill. It's known for its mosaics by Jan Henryk De Rosen, large stained glass windows, a Keith Haring altarpiece that acts as an AIDS memorial, and a pair of large labyrinths.

A photo posted by Dave (@juntaodave) on

Hobart Building

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The Neoclassical Hobart Building was finished in 1914 amid accusations of construction recklessness. Its design has stood the test of time, and it's a designated city landmark.

A photo posted by KJ Cartmell (@kjcartmell) on

Mission Dolores

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Mission Dolores (Mission San Francisco de Asís), is the oldest structure in San Francisco. It was founded in 1776 by Lieutenant José Joaquin Moraga and Father Francisco Palóu for the purpose of bringing Spanish settlers to the area and ministering to the Native Americas who were already there (a ministry that's since been called into question).

A photo posted by Sarah M (@sarah_merra) on

Palace Hotel

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The Palace Hotel is a landmark historic hotel. It's called the "new" Palace, as the current version replaces one destroyed by fire following the 1906 quake. The grand building takes up most of a city block. (Also of note, this is the place where Green Goddess dressing was invented and where President Warren Harding died.)

A photo posted by victoria!! (@bikitoria) on

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Transamerica Pyramid

In true San Francisco fashion, this building was reviled by many when it was completed in 1972 as the headquarters for the Transamerica Corporation (they no longer occupy it). The purpose of its tapered design is to let light onto the street below. Back then, San Francisco Chronicle architectural critic Alan Temko called it "the biggest architectural dunce cap in the world." Now, it's one of the most beloved and recognizable buildings in the city.

The Sentinel

Construction on this flatiron building started in 1906. Luckily, it survived the earthquake and was finished in 1907. Today, it's known for its distinctive shape and copper cladding (which has turned green over the years). After he was released from San Quentin, San Francisco's famously corrupt political boss Abe Ruef made his office in the top floor. Today it's owned by film director Francis Ford Coppola, and he maintains an office in the building.

A photo posted by Lisa Raciti (@lisaraciti) on

Coit Tower

Coit Tower stands at the top of Telegraph Hill like an exclamation point. The fluted concrete structure was erected in honor of Lillie Hitchcock Coit and built with money she left the city to add beauty to the place she said she always loved. It's known for the stunning, 360-degree views from the top and the murals painted by artists for the Public Works of Art Project (precursor to the WPA).

A photo posted by Kat (@katpapera) on

San Francisco City Hall

The Beaux Arts City Hall building has existed here since 1915 (an earlier version was leveled by the 1906 earthquake). Its regal dome is the fifth largest in the world.

Palace of Fine Arts

The Palace of Fine Arts is in a state of flux, waiting for another tenant after the Exploratorium moved to a new building. It was created in 1915 for the Panama-Pacific Exhibition, and it is the only structure that was left standing after the event.

A photo posted by Shot On iPhone (@colorgamut) on

de Young Museum

The de Young is located in Golden Gate Park. It exhibits American art from the 17th century to the present, international modern art, textiles, and tribal art. The modernist copper-clad building was created by Herzog & de Meuron and Fong + Chan. It opened in 2005.

A photo posted by Wes (@wes.ly) on

Painted Ladies

The row of Victorian houses on Steiner Street along Alamo Park are known simply as the Painted Ladies. This scenic stretch of street has been the backdrop for many postcards, commercials, movies, and television shows, notably Full House.

Ferry Building

Not only is the San Francisco Ferry Building a terminal for ferries, it's the site of amazing food shops and a bi-weekly farmers' market. The building is topped by a distinctive clock tower.

A photo posted by Steve Fadden (@sfadden) on

Russ Building

They don't build skyscrapers like this anymore. The Russ Building is marked by a distinctive Neo-Gothic facade. When the 32-floor edifice was finished in 1927, it was home to the city's first indoor parking garage.

A photo posted by WHISK (@whisk.sf) on

St. Mary's Cathedral

Locals sometimes call this modernist church "Our Lady of Maytag," due to a design that vaguely resembles a washing machine agitator. Its design history is more sophisticated, however. Its shape (when seen from above) is based on a cross. In 2007, the AIASF chose it as one of the city's top 25 buildings.

2500 Steiner

In a recent Curbed article, this apartment building was described as "one of the most prominent buildings in the city." It's located in Pacific Heights off Alta Plaza Park, and is home to many notable San Franciscans.

Phelan Building

This pie-shaped office building is at the intersection of Market and O'Farrell Sts. and Grant Ave. The city landmark was erected in 1908.

A photo posted by Courtney Sabo (@courtney_sabo) on

555 California St

At this moment, the tall, brown building is arguably the most distinctive on the city's skyline. Until recently, it was known as the Bank of America Center. It's also partially owned by president-elect Donald Trump.

A photo posted by Ben Vickery (@bvickery) on

140 New Montgomery

The Art Deco building at 140 New Montgomery St. started life as the headquarters for Pacific Telephone when it was built in 1925. It was the first high-rise south of Market Street. Today, it's where Yelp is located.

A photo posted by Ben Vickery (@bvickery) on

InterContinental Mark Hopkins

The InterContinental Mark Hopkins San Francisco is a luxury hotel sited on the top of Nob Hill. It recently celebrated 94 years. A stunning example of Nob Hill's stately luxury.

A photo posted by @madythebaddiee on

Flood Building

The Flood Building (named for the Flood family of Comstock Lode fame) is a 12 story high-rise in the heart of the Financial District. It's a survivor of the 1906 quake.

A photo posted by Jemar Garcia (@jemargarcia) on

Grace Cathedral

Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal church atop Nob Hill. It's known for its mosaics by Jan Henryk De Rosen, large stained glass windows, a Keith Haring altarpiece that acts as an AIDS memorial, and a pair of large labyrinths.

A photo posted by Dave (@juntaodave) on

Hobart Building

The Neoclassical Hobart Building was finished in 1914 amid accusations of construction recklessness. Its design has stood the test of time, and it's a designated city landmark.

A photo posted by KJ Cartmell (@kjcartmell) on

Mission Dolores

Mission Dolores (Mission San Francisco de Asís), is the oldest structure in San Francisco. It was founded in 1776 by Lieutenant José Joaquin Moraga and Father Francisco Palóu for the purpose of bringing Spanish settlers to the area and ministering to the Native Americas who were already there (a ministry that's since been called into question).

A photo posted by Sarah M (@sarah_merra) on

Palace Hotel

The Palace Hotel is a landmark historic hotel. It's called the "new" Palace, as the current version replaces one destroyed by fire following the 1906 quake. The grand building takes up most of a city block. (Also of note, this is the place where Green Goddess dressing was invented and where President Warren Harding died.)

A photo posted by victoria!! (@bikitoria) on