When the building was first proposed by Jaymont Properties in 1989, the project was called One Second Street.[6] The development was slowed by the early 1990s recession in the United States but was eventually approved in February 1998.[6]
In November 1999, Jaymont sold the development site to a partnership of Cousins Properties Inc. and Myers Development Company for US$22 million.[7] Groundbreaking took place in May 2000 and the building was completed in March 2002.[8][9]
Like many other buildings in the area, 55 Second Street contains a public space, described by the San Francisco Chronicle as "a big room with hardwood floors, skylights and grand leather chairs, like a private club", which is located on a mezzanine level.[11]
^Nolte, Carl (2015-08-01). "Vibrant center of city's future a good place to grab lunch". SF Chronicle. Retrieved 2015-08-02. ... most of the streets are sunny and many have public plazas, an amenity the city requires of potential developers. There are 64 of these public places in private buildings [...] all sandwiched in less than a square city mile. One of the best of these public spaces is at 55 Second St., on a mezzanine up a set of polished stairs. Here is a big room with hardwood floors, skylights and grand leather chairs, like a private club. The public is welcome to sit, read, eat lunch or just hang out.
