Return of the pod people: 690sf hotel rooms may come to San Francisco

A Kansas developer is betting it can lure single budget travelers to a San Francisco hotel made up of 690-square-foot sleeping pods.

Prime Co., which is working on two group housing projects in the Mission, submitted an application to redevelop the two-story San Francisco Fire Credit Union building into a 15,000-square-foot, eight-story hotel, the San Francisco Business Times reported. Prime bought the at 12 Mint Plaza from the credit union in October.

The proposed hotel, inspired by Japanese capsule units, will feature shared bathrooms and living spaces including a bar, basement spa and rooftop terrace.

“The idea is to provide affordability,” Prime owner Chris Elsey told the Business Times. “But as opposed to a hostel plan, there’s a more privatized sleeping arrangement.”

The pods will be four feet wide and a few feet longer than a standard-size twin bed. They will have electrical outlets, light and temperature controls, a fold-down desk and space to hang clothes, as well as blackout curtains to provide privacy. The size is about equivalent to a quarter of a full-size tennis court.

The pods will be stacked two high, with as many as 28 units in each floor’s sleeping area. Every floor will have shared bathrooms with toilets and floor-to-ceiling enclosed showers and open sink and vanity space.

Most of the eighth floor will be a breakfast and bar area. The developers also proposed two basement levels for a spa, services and utilities.

Prime is seeking sidewalk encroachments of about six feet into the public right of way on Stevenson Street and 10 feet on Mint Plaza. The project will also require the demolition of the 1919 bank building.

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UPDATE: This story has been updated to add comparison to tennis court.

[SFBT] — Victoria Pruitt