The Blubber

Tech workers are paying up to $700 a month for tiny bed 'pods' in San Francisco, per BI.

While tech workers have embraced the concept of compact sleeping "pods," city officials in San Francisco are less enthusiastic about their installation in a local building.

On Tuesday, the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection found that these pods, equipped with beds but lacking windows, did not meet building codes. As reported by the San Francisco Examiner, the pods in Mint Plaza were deemed to be illegally installed without the required residential building permit.

To rectify the situation, the building must submit the necessary permits by the beginning of November, secure approval by December 2, and have inspectors validate the changes before the start of the new year, according to the report.

Requests for comment from the San Francisco Department of Building Inspection were not immediately responded to outside normal working hours when Insider made an inquiry.

These 4-foot-high pods, constructed from wood and steel, gained attention when tech workers lauded the spaces in interviews with ABC 7 News. Brownstone Shared Housing, the maker of these pods, rents them for $700 a month in San Francisco. CEO James Stallworth mentioned receiving numerous inquiries, particularly from those interested in artificial intelligence.

The appeal of these pods is evident among young professionals relocating to the city for career opportunities, praising the spaces for their convenience and networking potential.

Earlier this month, Christian Lewis, a tech-startup founder, shared photos of his experience in one of these pods on X (formerly Twitter). Despite some criticism, Lewis expressed satisfaction, emphasizing the affordability and safety of staying within San Francisco.