Dome

View looking along the north elevation; 555 California Street was meant to be a deliberate and unmistakable display of Bank of America's importance. To that end, the center was handled by top architecture firms Wurster, Benardi and Emmons and Skidmore, Owings and Merrill, with architect Pietro Belluschi consulting. The structural engineering was performed by the renowned San Francisco firm H. J. Brunnier Associates. The skyscraper incorporates thousands of bay windows thanks to its unique design, meant to improve the rental value. At the north foot of the skyscraper is a large plaza named in honor of Bank of America founder A.P. Giannini. Nearly the entire block--the skyscraper, the banking hall, the plaza, the stairways, and the sidewalks--is clad in costly polished or rough carnelian granite. An exclusive restaurant, the Carnelian Room, is located on the 52nd floor. BankAmerica Corporation was forced to sell the building following losses in 1987. Source: Wikipedia; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page (accessed 12/9/2007)