SoMa development would put new twist on commune living

[Jesus Malverde]

While the city characterizes the proposed 1532 Harrison St. as a “group home,” the project is more of a dense, urban iteration on the communes of the 1960s and 1970s, but with institutional backing and professional management.

The property would be broken up into 28 “houses” with common kitchens, dining areas, living rooms, and outside space. The 235 private spaces — suites — would range from 327 square feet to 409 square feet. These would have bathrooms, sinks, two-burner stoves, and private balconies. The three buildings would be joined by a series of sky bridges and would be separated by two 25-foot mid-block alleys. The project could have up to 470 individual beds.

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanfrancisco/blog/2013/12/soma-development-would-put-new-twist.html?ana=e_du_pub&s=article_du&ed=2013-12-09

Housing Action Coalition Executive Director Tim Colen called the project “a perfectly logical response to the housing situation we are in.”

[pinto]

1. Not my cup of tea, but an interesting take on urban housing.

I don't quite get the theme approach to the housing mentioned in the article. Seems contrived. Why not just rent / lease to anyone as units are available?

[GeorgeGist]

2. Warehouses for the working poor?

Sweet.