Skygarden

As a child I adored grab bags. The idea of purchasing a wrapped package containing an unknown surprise was beyond exciting. Skygarden is something we all purchased but apparently nobody is interested in tearing open the package, a situation I attribute to piss-​poor publicity and accessibility issues. But it’s yours, people. You already bought it. Don’t you want to see what’s inside?
THE GOOD
* On the 12^th floor (but spanning floors 11 and 13 as well) of the U.S. Federal Building is a 3-​story public open space with tables, chairs, and spectacular views. It’s a wonderful, hidden place perfect to take someone to (even just yourself) as a surprise.
* There’s a fully outfitted ping pong table available for you to use.
* Skygarden is a great place to take impressive photos. There’s some sensitivity around photo taking in this building but nothing at Skygarden appears to be off-​limits photography-​wise.
* Smoking in Skygarden is not permitted. Duh.
* There’s nobody here. NOBODY.
THE NOT SO GOOD
* Truly diabolical planning places restrooms down in the basement level (a speedy elevator ride away). While down there check out the original artwork which you also purchased. Somebody has good taste.
* There is zero public information about this space. I learned of it only after I was already inside the Federal Building on other business and found a paper outlining a «self-​guided tour» of which Skygarden was a featured tour stop.
* There’s nobody here. NOBODY.
ACCESS
* Public access to the Skygarden space is 9 a.m. — 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
* To get into Skygarden you’ll first need to get into the Federal Building which has security reminiscent of that at airports. Leave your weapons and other questionable paraphernalia at home and be prepared to state the reason you’re there.
* Once inside, take the elevator to the 12^th floor then look for the closed doors flanked by
«Skygarden» signs. The main level is on the 11^th floor with skybridges on the 12^th and 13^th floors. It’ll all make sense once you’re in the space.
MISCELLANY
* There’s a lot of barely known public access spaces in San Francisco. Most are built as a result of the City’s 1985 downtown plan which requires 1 square foot of public space per 50 square feet of office space or hotels. John King (SF Chronicle) has written often about these spaces (and sometimes about Skygarden, which is not a result of the downtown plan) and his past articles — including locations of these spaces — can be found online.
* The Federal Building design was touted as having many public areas to allow workers to interact and mingle. This appears to be a colossal failure. Not only is Skygarden empty; every public space in the building is empty as well.
* Edward Ruscha original artwork in «skipstop elevator lobbies» (near public areas where nobody is).
* A neon light sculpture is turned on in Skygarden daily, from dusk to 10 p.m.