Why is there sometimes a light shining on top of the TransAmerica building, but at other times there’s no light there? Is it lit for a reason?
The TransAmerica pyramid’s beacon, also known as the “crown jewel,” is lit for “special occasions” and sometimes on holidays, according to the building’s PR rep, Nancy Green. Most recently, it was lit in honor of September 11th and in July, in honor of SF firefighter appreciation week. Those are the only times it’s been lit so far this year.
Both the management and owners decide when to light the beacon, said Green, on a “year to year basis.” She couldn’t tell me how far ahead of time they decide or what the plans were for the rest of 2010.
“I don’t like to make promises that I can’t keep,” Green told me via phone. (She also said she was “confused” by my questions, so there is that to consider.)
“I don’t know why we wouldn’t light it for, say, September 11th next year, but we might not. There’s nothing to say we will absolutely light it at any time.”
Green says she is the sole person who can answer our Pyramid questions, so unfortunately this vague response seems to be the best we can do.
“I get hundreds of inquiries,” Green said via email, so I appreciate her taking the time to field mine.
Photo: Wikipedia user Hydrogen Iodide
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