181 Fremont Unveils Grand Penthouse

SAN FRANCISCO—181 Fremont is the West Coast’s tallest mixed-use tower, developed by Jay Paul Company. And, the building’s just launched Grand Penthouse, at $46 million, is the tallest residence west of Chicago.

“The views are the home’s main attraction,” Matt Lituchy, chief investment officer for Jay Paul Company, tells GlobeSt.com. “There are none better in San Francisco. They are 360 degrees and they include views of every major landmark in the San Francisco Bay Area.”

This 55-residence building was completed in 2018. It ascends more than 800 feet into the sky with a exoskeleton designed in a saw tooth pattern by Heller Manus Architects and engineered by ARUP Group.

Designer Orlando Diaz-Azcuy created the interiors of 181 Fremont. The hallway sconces inspired by a bird’s nest began as hand-drawn sketches by Diaz-Azcuy. From his drawings, a lighting firm rendered the sconces in virtual reality, then brought them to life, GlobeSt.com learns.

Mary Ta and Lars Hypko of Los Angeles-based MASS Beverly, applied their vision to the interior architecture and design of the building’s Grand Penthouse. The penthouse includes $7 million in artworks curated by Baxter from Anthony Meier Fine Arts Gallery.

“The entire residence is a luxury experience from the beginning when you exit the elevator with a custom Lolli e Memmoli cut crystal chandelier to the custom glass-encased office with sumptuous Bottega Veneta leather furniture,” Ta tells GlobeSt.com.

San Francisco art advisors Holly Baxter & Associates were tapped to curate a collection of 200 works of art throughout this new landmark tower, including the Gallery 181–a pop-up art exhibition space in one of the building’s half-floor penthouses overlooking the Bay.

Earlier this year, the building earned six global awards for innovative engineering, seismic safety and sustainability from the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, more than any other US building. 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 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 water recycling system that captures, treats and reuses greywater/rainwater, saving more than 1.3 million gallons of water each year. It also has a glass curtain wall system which maximizes natural light.

“The decision to develop 181 Fremont was born out of a desire to create the ultimate luxury residential experience while taking advantage of the building’s award-winning architecture, exclusivity and unrivaled view potential,” Lituchy tells GlobeSt.com. “No detail has been overlooked, which is why we decided to present the (penthouse) home fully furnished with one-of-a-kind pieces designed by global design firm, MASS Beverly, designers of homes for Beyonce and Jay Z, Elon Musk and Calvin Klein. As a world-class destination, the city’s ultra-luxury high-rise residential offerings are surprisingly limited. Our aim was to fill that void. Additionally, 181 Fremont is one of the most seismically sound residential buildings in the world.”

Resident amenities encompass the entire 39th floor of 181 Fremont featuring a wraparound observation terrace, The Conservatory, Bay Terrace, fitness center with yoga room, two lounges, library, catering kitchen, bar and conference room.

The front door handles were some of the first items selected to finish the interiors of the condos at 181 Fremont and are among the most exquisite. The polished brass handles were custom-forged by Parisian artisan Daniel Podva at his studio, Série Rare, a few steps from the Seine. Each one is unique, GlobeSt.com learns.