The Concrete Column

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Rising two hundred and ten feet above Telegraph Hill, Coit Tower is more than just a viewpoint; it's a striking example of Art Deco design. Built between 1932 and 1933, the tower was funded by a bequest from Lillie Hitchcock Coit to beautify the city. Architect Henry Howard designed it as a slender white concrete column, a bold structural statement that has been an emblem of the skyline for nearly a century.

While the observation deck offers a 360-degree view of the Golden Gate and Bay bridges, the engineering of the base allows for a unique interior gallery. It's a seamless blend of aesthetic beauty and structural strength, standing firm atop the hill as a permanent gift to the people of San Francisco.

Updated June 2026