Design-Construction ofThe Paramount – A 39-StoryPrecast Prestressed ConcreteApartment Building

Paramount Apartment Building
San Francisco, CA
Engineer: Englekirk Systems Development
Precast Engineer: Mid-State Precast, L.P

• 39-story, 691,000 sq ft
• Seismic Zone 4 structure
• Hybrid moment resisting frame
• Integrated seismic and architectural solution
• Reduced construction time and material costs

At 39 stories and 420 ft (128 m) high, The Paramount (located in San
Francisco, California) is the tallest concrete structure in addition to
being the tallest precast, prestressed concrete framed building in
Seismic Zone 4 (a double record).It is the first major high rise
building to be braced by an architecturally finished exposed precast
concrete ductile frame. The reinforcement used to create this seismic
ductile frame includes post-tensioning and high strength reinforcing
steel. All this represents a major milestone in the development of
precast/prestressed concrete. The building is basically an apartment
complex, although the lower floors accommodate retail space, vehicle
parking and recreational amenities. This article presents the design
considerations, construction highlights, research and development,
and code approval process that led to the realization of this structure.

Download the Project Brief