A San Francisco sharehouse has sparked fury with its rental offering of plywood sleep pods, drawing widespread criticism for what many are calling “dystopian” living conditions.
For $1025 a month, or $236 per week, tenants can rent one of 16 beds in a setup that lacks locks, doors, and privacy, with only a curtain separating the pods from the common area.
Named ‘Let’s Be Buds’, the unconventional living arrangement forces 16 residents to share a single kitchen and three bathrooms.
The property’s owner describes it as a “sleep pod community” appealing to “nomads, creatives and nerds,” according to a Zillow listing.
Previously described as “microscopic” in a Facebook listing, the sleeping quarters are now referred to as “small.”
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The stacked pods cost tenants $1025 a month to rent. Source: Zillow
The pods have been described as a plywood caskets. Source: Zillow
Unsurprising, the backlash on social media has been fierce, with users dubbing the pods “plywood caskets”.
Comments have also highlighted the lack of security and privacy, with one Reddit user stating: “Even hostels have secure lockers,” and another adding: “I had more privacy in the homeless shelter I lived in when I was a teenager.”
Each pod costs US675 per month, equivalent to AU$1025, potentially generating $196,000 annually if fully occupied.
The pods open up to an open-plan living space. Source: Zillow
Yes, even the “dressing room” is communal. Source: Zillow
This model has previously attracted scrutiny from city officials, with past ‘bed pod’ properties receiving violation notices for safety issues and lack of permits.
San Francisco, known for its exorbitant rental prices, continues to attract tech workers to Silicon Valley.
Previous ‘pod’ sharehouses have targeted migrant workers, who constitute a significant portion of the tech workforce.
English (US) · 