Is Salesforce Transit Center- A Western Grand Central?

Escalator view of the light-filled Grand Central Hall of the new Salesforce Transit Center in San Francisco which some are calling Grand Central of the West. (image/ A.N. Grove) — Escalator view of the light-filled Grand Central Hall of the new Salesforce Transit Center.

Grand Hall of the new Salesforce Transit Center, San Francisco. (image: / A.N.Grove) — A Central light column in the main hall grows from a Secret Garden of golden California poppies, birds, insects and Bay Area cultural motifs.

San Francisco’s Salesforce Transit Center, opens to the public on August 11. Last week I had a sneak preview.

Dubbed the Grand Central of the West, the architecture is stunning, the scope immense, and the art awesome.

There is a 5.4 acre rooftop garden, 100,000 square feet of retail and signature restaurant space.

A white cloud-like lattice surrounds the exterior of the center designed by architects Pelli Clark Pelli to be beautiful as well as functional.

This vision includes art by four artists commissioned by the San Francisco Arts Commission. Their work is a highlight of the new development and showcases how much art can bring to a public space.

The Secret Garden

The grand hall of the center has a 23,000 ft Terazzo floor created San Francisco artist Julie W. Chang who lived within walking distance of the Center during construction.

Inspired by the children’s story, she calls the design she created for the floor The Secret Garden. She drew inspiration from San Francisco’s Victorian gardens, flowers and wildlife of the bay area, as well as icons and patterns drawn from the rich tapestry of people and cultures of the Bay Area.

At the center of the Grand Hall of San Francisco's new Salesforce Transit Center is Jenny Holzer's LED scrolling art, "White Light", which reveals literature and history of the Bay Area. The installation wraps around the elliptical glass enclosure encircling the Grand Hall light column. (Image: / A.N. Grove) — At the center of the Grand Hall is Jenny Holzer’s LED scrolling art, *White Light*, which reveals literature and history of the Bay Area. The installation wraps around the elliptical glass enclosure encircling the Grand Hall light column.

Wrap Around LED Text From Bay Area Archives

New York artist Jenny Holzer, know for her electronic LED signs, created White Light for the Center. This is an extraordinary 15ft high scrolling display over 175 ft long which displays texts from Bay Area writers and historical archives such as the UC Bancroft Library.

Level with the bus deck White Light can also be seen and read from outside the building.

Salesforce Transit Center's 5.4 acre rooftop garden has 600 trees and 16,000 new plants in theme gardens. (Image: /A.N. Grove) — Up on the roof garden 600 trees have been planted including redwood and monkey puzzle from Chile. Forests of bamboo line some paths.

Up On The Roof – A Green Oasis

The Salesforce Transit Center’s 5.4 acre roof-garden is an amazing addition to an urban neighborhood with little green space.

Already planted are 600 trees and 16,000 plants. There are a series of different themed gardens, California, South West, Chilean, and Desert plantings. It is an oasis and birds and dragon flies are already cruising through this urban jungle.

Water Jets Follow The Buses

An extraordinary visual highlight on the rooftop is the Bus Jet Fountain by Ned Kahn. This is a 1,000-ft long installation which winds along the perimeter pathway.

Jets are triggered by activity on the bus deck below where movement sensors are set in the roof. These control height and frequency of the water jets. When a bus enters the space the fountain is activated.

Sebastopol based artist Ned Kahn at his Bus Jet Fountain at the Salesforce Transit Center. His feels strongly art is all about fostering connections. Here children will enjoy the water, the art reinforces the architecture and it is appropriate in a part of the city which used to be a marsh. (Image: /A.N.Grove) — Sebastopol based artist Ned Kahn at his Bus Jet Fountain at the Salesforce Transit Center. His feels strongly art is all about fostering connections. Here children will enjoy the water, the art reinforces the architecture and it is appropriate in a part of the city which used to be a marsh

More Highlights to Come, Stay Tuned…

The fourth commissioned artwork is Parallel Light Fields by New York-based James Carpenter. Pedestrains entering the building through Shaw Alley will pass through an architecturally integrated and functinal light sculpture. Shaw Alley will open in the Fall.

Another treat in store is the gondola which will whisk the public from street level to roof deck. The planned completion is September.

Salesforce tower, San Francisco, perspective seen from the rooftop garden on the third floor of the new Salesforce Transit Center. (Image: /A.N.Grove). — Salesforce tower perspective seen from the rooftop garden.

Opening Day Block Party

After a ribbon cutting on Friday August 10, the center will open to the public with a huge block party on Saturday August 11. Bus service begins the following day.

At this city celebration there will be something for everyone. Food trucks will be at street level, there will be music in the new amphitheater, and I am sure children will head for the fountains!

It will be time to discover and enjoy the new Grand Central of the West and its awesome art.

As Mayor London Breed stated recently, ” I have long supported and advocated for more public art throughout our City. The installations at the Salesforce Transit Center are a reflection of our diverse communities and a welcome addition to this new civic space.