Industry News

Transamerica Corp. is adding significant new security features to its high-rise, the 500,000-sf Transamerica Pyramid in downtown San Francisco. A $3-million exterior upgrade will surround the building with 98 steel bollards, interspersed with trees. The lobby is undergoing a $3.5-million upgrade providing tenants two entrances controlled by card key access desks, a separate messenger drop-off desk, and new flooring and lighting. A new entry to the garage, and a valet gateway will also be provided. Completion of the upgrades is anticipated in July 2002.

FedEx Corp., based in Memphis, Tenn., plans to convert a former rice milling plant in San Francisco into a new 115,000-sf office and distribution facility. The $10-million project, designed by Solano Beach, Calif.-based McMahon Development Group, includes a two-story, 10,000-sf office building topped with  parking, and a warehouse providing 115 van stalls, 250 parking slots, vehicle maintenance garages, and a customer counter. Construction at the 4.2-acre site is scheduled to begin in June 2002, with operations commencing in December 2002.

Kaiser Permanente is leasing a new $12-million facility in Daly City slated for occupancy in the fourth quarter of 2002. Designed by MBH Architects of Alameda, the 120,000-sf medical building will house additional space for women's services, adult medicine, and the entire ophthalmology department. Developed by Dewey Land Co. of San Mateo, Calif., and CKAM of Palo Alto, Calif., the facility is being built by general contractor South Bay Construction.  

Oil refiner Valero Energy Corp. has contracted SpawGlass Contractors of San Antonio to build its new headquarters on the existing 148-acre Ultramar Diamond Shamrock Corp. campus recently acquired by Valero.

Yale University School of Medicine selected Boston-based Jung/Brannen Associates Inc. to design a new 28,400-sf research facility. The lab will occupy half of the second floor of the 300 George Biotech Laboratory Building.