One Embarcadero Center

One Embarcadero Center is a modern skyscraper in the Financial District that reaches 45 stories high with a contemporary glass and steel design. The building combines office spaces with retail shops across multiple levels, creating a mixed-use environment.

This building opened in 1971 as part of a major urban redevelopment project that transformed the waterfront area. It became a landmark in reshaping San Francisco's downtown during the post-war expansion period.

The building appeared in notable films including Francis Ford Coppola's The Conversation and The Laughing Policeman with Walter Matthau.

The building sits near major transit hubs including BART stations and ferry terminals, making it easy to reach by public transport. Indoor and outdoor spaces connect to surrounding areas, with bike parking available for cyclists.

This tower is one of six interconnected buildings that form a unified complex with underground passages and public plazas. The connected network allows people to walk through much of the district without stepping outside, a distinctive feature of 1970s urban design.

Location: San Francisco

Inception: 1971

Architects: John C. Portman Jr.

Official opening: 1971

Floors above the ground: 45

Part of: Embarcadero Center

Address: 355 Clay Street, San Francisco, CA, United States

GPS coordinates: 37.79450,-122.40000

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:45