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What I should have said is that the Transamerica Pyramid is more iconic than the Reunion Tower. I can accept that.
However, San Francisco's skyline, though denser and taller, still seems somewhat bland. Dallas's is more creative (at least a little), but lacks the density to really give off a good dense vibe.
Not really SF's fault, most of those buildings were constructed some time ago.
Someone mind posting another SF skyline pic with the mountains? I can't seem to find any on Google.
It's really a Free-standing tower, in the same category as the Space Needle or CN Tower.
I will admit though, the Transamerica Pyramid is more iconic, while Reunion is more a Texas icon than an American icon.
Actually I screwed up and got it confused with the BOA tower (Dallas's tallest). But yes, Reunion Tower is a freestanding structure.
I can see the Reunion Tower as being a TX icon, but it's fairly unrecognizable outside of TX. In fact, I think that's part of the problem with Dallas's Skyline. It's just not that distinct. Yes, Reunion Tower is different, but so many cities have freestanding structures nowadays that unless you're as enthusiastic about structures as the people who post here... most won't recognize it. If you posted a picture of San Francisco's skyline (the whole thing) and said "which city is this?" most people would be able to identify it. If you posted Dallas and did the same, you'd absolutely have fewer people get it right. It's a pretty skyline, but it lacks the icons and features that make San Francisco's so notable.
I find SF's skyline more appealing because of the complete package. The bridges, Bay, and mountains combine with the high rises and smaller structures dotting the rolling hills. It's incredibly impressive in person and has a real "wow" factor. Dallas? It's pretty, but I don't think it's going to make most people go "wow!"
I can see the Reunion Tower as being a TX icon, but it's fairly unrecognizable outside of TX. In fact, I think that's part of the problem with Dallas's Skyline. It's just not that distinct. Yes, Reunion Tower is different, but so many cities have freestanding structures nowadays that unless you're as enthusiastic about structures as the people who post here... most won't recognize it. If you posted a picture of San Francisco's skyline (the whole thing) and said "which city is this?" most people would be able to identify it. If you posted Dallas and did the same, you'd absolutely have fewer people get it right. It's a pretty skyline, but it lacks the icons and features that make San Francisco's so notable.
I find SF's skyline more appealing because of the complete package. The bridges, Bay, and mountains combine with the high rises and smaller structures dotting the rolling hills. It's incredibly impressive in person and has a real "wow" factor. Dallas? It's pretty, but I don't think it's going to make most people go "wow!"
Absolutely fewer?
Just for a second, let's get away from the San Fran vs. Dallas part of this. I have to ask.... do some of you think the Dallas skyline is just not known at all? And this isn't a knock or directly twoards you, lrfox. It just seems to be a way of thinking here that the Dallas skyline (and the city for that matter) really isn't known at all.
I'll give the "wow factor" to San Fran as well, because of the location/backdrop. But ONLY because of that. I still say Dallas has the more, let's say, creative skyline.
For those who keep saying "people only vote for SF because of natural features", let's look at the buildings themselves. The facts show that SF has far more skyscrapers and highrises than Dallas - this is why SF feels and looks like a much bigger, denser skyline.
# of buildings over 400 feet in San Francisco: 44
# of buildings over 400 feet in Dallas: 28
Total # of highrises in San Francisco: 415
Total # of highrises in Dallas: 304
WHAT?!?
Dallas kills SF height wise!
Tallest in each city:
Dallas
1. Bank of America Plaza - 921'
2. Renaissance Tower - 886'
3. Commerica Bank Tower - 787'
4. JP Morgan Chase Tower - 738'
5. Energy Plaza - 738'
6. Fountain Plaza - 720'
7. Trammell Crow Center - 686'
8. 1700 Pacific - 655'
9. Thanksgiving Tower - 645'
10. Elm Place - 625'
San Francisco
1. Transamerica Pyramid - 853'
2. 555 California Street - 779'
3. 345 California Center - 721'
4. Millenium Tower - 645'
5. One Rincon Hill South - 605'
6. 50 Fremont Center - 600'
7. 101 California Street - 600'
8. Chevron Tower - 573'
9. Four Embarcadero Center - 570'
10. One Embarcadero Center - 569'
Last edited by Metro Matt; 06-06-2012 at 09:07 PM..
1. Bank of America Plaza - 921'
2. Renaissance Tower - 886'
3. Commerica Bank Tower - 787'
4. JP Morgan Chase Tower - 738'
5. Energy Plaza - 738'
6. Fountain Plaza - 720'
7. Trammell Crow Center - 686'
8. 1700 Pacific - 655'
9. Thanksgiving Tower - 645'
10. Elm Place - 625'
San Francisco
1. Transamerica Pyramid - 853'
2. 555 California Street - 779'
3. 345 California Center - 721'
4. Millenium Tower - 645'
5. One Rincon Hill South - 605'
6. 50 Fremont Center - 600'
7. 101 California Street - 600'
8. Chevron Tower - 573'
9. Four Embarcadero Center - 570'
10. One Embarcadero Center - 569'
Yes, Dallas does have a somewhat taller top 10, for what that's worth.
But, the dropoff after that is huge. As noted above, San Francisco has 44 buildings over 400 feet while Dallas has only 28. That's nearly 60% more buildings over 400 feet in San Francisco - a HUGE difference and it shows. Anyway you slice it, SF has way more skyscrapers than Dallas.
Not to mention, 415 highrises in total for SF, while only 304 in Dallas. There is no doubt SF is a bigger, more imposing skyline. A handful of taller buildings does not make up for the far greater number of skyscrapers and highrises in SF.
Again, this one's not even close, especially for anyone who has seen them in person.
Yes, Dallas does have a somewhat taller top 10, for what that's worth.
But, the dropoff after that is huge. As noted above, San Francisco has 44 buildings over 400 feet while Dallas has only 28. That's nearly 60% more buildings over 400 feet in San Francisco - a HUGE difference and it shows. Anyway you slice it, SF has way more skyscrapers than Dallas.
Not to mention, 415 highrises in total for SF, while only 304 in Dallas. There is no doubt SF is a bigger, more imposing skyline. A handful of taller buildings does not make up for the far greater number of skyscrapers and highrises in SF.
Again, this one's not even close, especially for anyone who has seen them in person.
Weaksauce
400 feet is barely a skyscraper.
Lets talk 500, 600, & 700 footers. Dallas has twice as many.
Dallas walks all over SF in height & night time skyline
San Francisco has the density, natural setting, & world wide recognition.
Last edited by Metro Matt; 06-06-2012 at 10:25 PM..
This a not a fair matchup. If you fly over either city or stand at street level, homers aside, this wouldnt even be thread-worthy. I grew up close to Dallas, I'm not hating on the city. Heck, it's a nice skyline. SF is one of the top 15 in the world. I've seen Paris, Sydney, Auckland, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Toronto, Lima and all of the US top skylines in person, IMHO, SF is as good as it gets.
This a not a fair matchup. If you fly over either city or stand at street level, homers aside, this wouldnt even be thread-worthy. I grew up close to Dallas, I'm not hating on the city. Heck, it's a nice skyline. SF is one of the top 15 in the world. I've seen Paris, Sydney, Auckland, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Toronto, Lima and all of the US top skylines in person, IMHO, SF is as good as it gets.
What you see from the air & ground is SF's density.
Its like comparing Washington DC to Austin. DC has the density Austin has the height.
Going strictly by number of skyscrapers 500 feet & above Dallas spanks SF.
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... that's a new one.