181 Fremont is the West Coast’s tallest mixed-use tower and the debut luxury residential development from the Jay Paul Company.
Photos by Matthew Millman
The buildings just launched Grand Penthouse is the tallest residence west of Chicago, soaring over 700 feet above San Francisco. Ascending more than 800 feet into the sky with a state-of-the-art exoskeleton designed in a saw tooth pattern by Heller Manus Architects and engineered by ARUP Group, this 55-residence building was completed in 2018. Earlier this year, it earned six global awards for innovative engineering, seismic safety, and sustainability from the prestigious Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, more than any other building in the U.S.
The internationally renowned Orlando Diaz-Azcuy celebrated as one of the world’s greatest design talents, drew on a rich history of masterful interior design to create the resplendent interiors of 181 Fremont. Mary Ta and Lars Hypko of Los Angeles-based MASS Beverly applied their globally recognized vision to their interior architecture and design of the building’s Grand Penthouse, which is the tallest residence in San Francisco and features breathtaking 360-degree views from the Pacific and the Farallon Islands across the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin, the Bay Bridge to Mt. Diablo and south to Silicon Valley. San Francisco art advisors, Holly Baxter & Associates were tapped to curate an impressive collection of 200 works of art throughout this iconic new landmark tower, including the Gallery 181 – a pop-up art exhibition space in one of the building’s half-floor penthouses overlooking the San Francisco Bay. The Grand Penthouse includes $7 million in artworks curated by Baxter from Anthony Meier Fine Arts Gallery.
Residents enjoy a full suite of amenities that encompasses the entire 39th floor of 181 Fremont, featuring a wrap-around observation terrace, The Conservatory, Bay Terrace, fitness center with yoga room, two distinctive lounges, library, catering kitchen, bar, and conference room.
In addition to being deeply rooted in design, the tower sets new standards for urban development in terms of its structural engineering for earthquake resiliency, sustainability, and water conservation.
Anchored by 42 of the deepest construction caissons ever drilled in San Francisco, measuring more than 260 feet into the bedrock below, the state of- the art steel and glass tower responds to wind forces as well as seismic events in an optimal way.
The tower is San Francisco’s first pre-certified LEED Platinum mixed-use building, and features a state-of-the-art water recycling system that captures, treats, and reuses greywater and rainwater, saving more than 1.3 million gallons of water each year, as well as a unique glass curtain wall system, which maximizes natural light.
181 Fremont Awards
In April 2019, 181 Fremont garnered top global awards from the esteemed international Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and the awards represented entries from 20 countries and 33 global cities. This prestigious awards program recognizes projects and individuals that have made the greatest contributions to the advancement of tall buildings and the urban environment while reaching sustainability at the highest and broadest level.
181 Fremont’s awards include:
- Best Structural Engineering and Best Geotechnical Engineering. The two superlative awards were achieved among 181 Fremont’s earlier five Awards of Excellence announced in February 2019. No other U.S. building received as many commendations.
- Best Tall Building, 200-299 meters
- MEP Engineering Award
- Structural Engineering Award
- Fire and Risk Award
- Geotechnical Engineering Award
The Grand Penthouse
Crowning this boutique development at over 700 feet in the sky is the Grand Penthouse. This unrivaled home is offered as a turnkey residence with interior design by the founders of MASS Beverly, creators of interiors for Beyoncé and Jay-Z, Elon Musk, and Calvin Klein. Primarily Italian-designed furnishings distinguish the rooms, which include a bespoke Bottega Veneta study and an intimate Minotti-filled family room. Custom pieces appear throughout, including a leather finish acid wash Henge dining table that seats 12 and a statement-making Lolli e Memmoli chandelier that is revealed when the elevator opens to the private floor.
Unobstructed views of the city’s landmarks are afforded by features such as sliding glass walls by Rimadesio, a through view marble fireplace and walls that easily slide away. Clever architectural details such as shadow gaps at the floor and ceiling, a suspended Calcatta marble wine tasting counter and stone monolith exhibition kitchens that float as seamlessly as sink basins, contribute to a feeling of lightness befitting a cloud-level home.
Gently curved walls lend softness to the building’s modern angles and work in tandem with a series of pockets doors and sliding systems to offer privacy and intimate spaces. The GPH is further warmed by the evident artisan craftsmanship of mitred stone Marie Antoinette floors, striated metal doors, and Venetian plaster walls, as well as earthy tones and textures punctuated by cerulean hues borrowed from the Bay below. The GPH is offered at $46 million.
GPH – Features & Finishes Overview 6,941 Square Feet, 700 Feet High
- Private elevator lobby arrival foyer with walnut-paneled entry
- Sweeping floor-to-ceiling 360-degree panoramic views
- 10′ to 10’6 ceilings
- Grand dining room with custom, glass-walled wine display, and tasting bar
- Informal dining area with book-matched marble through view fireplace and wet bar
- Family room with corner entertainment cabinet and Salvatori Server
- Exhibition Kitchen with Rossana custom kitchen cabinets and counter seating, Gaggenau appliances including refrigerator and freezer tower, double ovens, wine tower, dishwasher, five-burner cooktop, grill, and teppanyaki station
- Catering kitchen with Valcucine walnut cabinets, Miele double oven, dishwasher, and induction cooktop
- Master bedroom with northwest and west views, corner entertainment cabinet, two walk-in custom built-out closets
- Dual master bathrooms: one with freestanding soaking tub, separate steam shower, and private water closet; the other with steam shower and private water closet
- Gym with private bathroom and shower
- Third bedroom with en-suite bathroom, corner entertainment cabinet, and walk-in closet
- Fourth bedroom with en-suite bathroom
- Laundry room with washer and dryer and private bathroom
- Powder room with Henge Titanium Marble walls and porcelain glass floor
- Level 5 finish Venetian Plaster walls