Despite having lived in the SF Bay Area for many years, there hasn’t been much effort or time available to visit the built city. I have a few on my short list: the Cathedral of Christ the Light and Frank Lloyd Wright Spiral Interior and just the general Mission Bay neighborhood. But these have been known to me for some time.
What took me by surprise was the Airbnb Headquarters. I’ve driven by this building on the highway hundreds of times and never thought twice- Airbnb doesn’t even have a sign on the outside. I finally happened upon this building as it also hosts a restaurant Bellota (a great pick if you are on the way to anything in SOMA or Mission) which shares the common space restroom with that of the Airbnb lobby.
I’ve come to accept my love courtyards and this interior version is no exception. While in the evening one could hear a pin drop in the lobby, I imagine it to be a place to take a break from meeting rooms and other work spaces.
Two details I especially loved about this space: 1) the large green wall planted surfaces and 2) the sunken central lobby area. The latter in particular is not something typically seen- one would have excepted just a flat floor across, but the steps down does effectively create a separate room feeling in the space.
I come back again and again to this restaurant- okay food is good, live music great, convenient location- perhaps like Sketch, more for the trip to the bathroom?
Website: Airbnb HQ
Address: 888 Brannan St, San Francisco, CA 94103
ofallthespaces 