- Restaurants |
- Nightlife |
- Shopping |
- Movies |
- All
ActivSpace
Category: Arts & Entertainment Arts & Entertainment [Edit]
3150 18th StSte 102
(between Treat Ave & Folsom St)
San Francisco, CA 94110
Neighborhood: Mission
(415) 355-1515
- Hours:
Mon, Thu, Sat 11 am - 2 pm
Wed, Fri 3 pm - 6 pm
- Good for Kids:
- No
19 reviews for ActivSpace
19 reviews in English
-
Review from Beth C.
San Francisco, CA
12/24/2011
I love this space. I was actually surprised to see such a wide array of negative experiences here. Granted, my officemate is very reliable and organized, so it was easy to come right in. I like the mixture of types of businesses. It's both inspiring and grounded, in my experience. I am really glad to have an office 3 days per week here. I feel happy every time I walk in.
-
Review from Kai H.
San Francisco, CA
11/15/2011
I had pretty much the exact same experience as Tom L. I repainted and cleaned and did all of the things they asked me to do to get my deposit back, but they took it all without explanation. Complete rip-off and an overall bad experience, which is why I moved out in the first place -my spot was ridiculously hot in summer and they kind of just shrugged it off.
And why do they charge this much when there's no meeting or communal spaces in the whole building? Crap business, don't rent from them. -
Review from Julia W.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 1/18/2012
The manager just walked into my unit WITHOUT permission! I really feel violated!
2 Previous Reviews: Show all »
-
12/20/2011
Since I wrote my earlier review the building manager has changed. She is not very friendly. There… Read more »
-
-
Review from Madeline D.
San Francisco, CA
1/13/2012
The space is reasonably clean and a reasonable deal with repsect to rent. All of the comments about move out/security deposit scams are true. Only move in here if you are prepared to have move-out security deposit hassles. I moved in to a space that was not usable. It needed painting, the floor was stained, holes in the wall, it was filthy. I spent $1000 and 2 days painting, cleaning, and installed a bamboo floor.
When I moved out I was told that I needed to remove the floor and fill the several holes I'd made, clean it spotless, paint etc.... Fortunately I'd put down the move in condition in writing when I moved in and clarified in advance that I only needed to return the place in the condition I received it.
When I moved out, first they tried to tell me that I needed to remove the floor. I spoke to attorney who told me it is illegal to charge someone for a space improvement and then not remove it before the next lease. When I called them on this they backed down. Still, they charged me to clean a dirty light switchplate (cost $2 new). Also, when I stopped in to turn in my key etc... they were "busy" and told me they would call me "within 15 minutes". Never heard from them and had to go out of town until the 6th of the next month. I get an e-mail on the 4th, saying that if I do not return my key by the 5th they will charge me a whole month's rent. Also illegal.
Now I am having my attorney deal with it. Still have not received my final security return/itemization. -
Review from Tom L.
San Francisco, CA
9/15/2011
Total ripoff. I notice that the positive reviews come from people who haven't moved out yet. BEWARE!!! You never know how good the landlord is until the lease ends.
I'm a photographer. I rented a space for 6 months, thinking I would be shooting a studio project. I didn't end up shooting the project, so I didn't use the space, except as a place to keep my lighting equipment. I think I set foot in the space about ten times in six months.
Two days before my lease ended, an Activspace manager inspected my space, and gave me a helpful form saying that all I had to do was remove my things and sweep the floor, and I would get my whole damage deposit back. Made perfect sense, because the space looked EXACTLY as it had when I moved in.
Guess what happened when I moved out? Activspace kept my entire damage deposit. The whole thing.
Activspace charged me for things like painting the floor, even though the floor was unpainted when I moved in. For painting the walls which an Activspace manager had already told me didn't need painting. For cleaning the door hinges. I'm not making that up.
So I asked for all the invoices related to my space, and guess what? It hadn't been painted after all.
After about six rounds going back and forth with Activspace, I got a small portion of my damage deposit back. So my only option now is to sue them for the rest. I think they know I'm not going to do that. Nice business model, guys. Rip off artists. -
Review from Tad P.
San Francisco, CA
2/22/2009
Initially, this place looks like a freelancer's dream: cheap office space close to home surrounded by like-minded folk with plenty of chances to mingle. The reality is much different, I discovered after months of not-too-happy renting at ActivSpace.
The hallways are always filthy, the walls are paperthin, and vibe here is decidedly unfriendly. It's so insanely loud, making it impossible to concentrate when other people are in their offices. I could hear the guy in the office next to me clip his fingernails. Seriously. Phone conversations were crystal clear. Because there is no insulation between floors, every single movement from above is amplified: every move of a chair, every footfall, every dropped pen resonates like a drum on the ceiling. Even with music blasting in headphones you hear it. ActivSpace claims to "let renters work out their own dynamic" regarding noise but won't give you the name or numbers of the offices above you. Ridiculous.
There is much talk at ActivSpace of being part of a "community" when you sign up. This is misguided. People are very rarely around, and when they are their doors are closed and earplugs are in. The occassional "meet-and-greet blow outs!" boasted about 6 dudes in hoodies sitting in the courtyard eating CostCo hotdogs hoping some girls show up. Really sad.
ActivSpace allows you to "decorate" your own office, which means almost all offices have unprimered, unpainted walls and unfinished plywood floors. The cost of making these places inhabitable is at a minimum over $400. . .not to mention the two days of fulltime labor. ActivSpace does not compensate for any of these costs claiming people are "free to do what they want with their offices." It's a sneaky business plan -- making renters pay for and do all the work to paint the walls and finish the floors. Then, if you ever move out, AcivSpace gets a fully finished office to rent -- all on your dime.
The blinds broke within the first month I was there. After 7 months they still weren't fixed. The place has no central heating. In winter, I could see my breath in my office. It was hard to work, even with a space heater. Because of this, and the general filthiness of the hallways, inviting clients into my office was an embarrassment. I started avoiding it, preferring to meet at a coffee shop down the street. One manager creeped many of my female friends out with his constant advances. They didn't ever want to hang out there.
I had completely done the floors and walls in my office. When I left after a number of months, ActivSpace took $100 of my deposit (note: this is AFTER I invested about $400 in painting and floors!) under suspicious and spurious reasons that, in my opinion, were completely unfounded. I've heard from other people similar stories, some even more eggregious.
It's about $350 for the smallest office here -- not bad. But considering if you drive, you'll have to pay a minimum of an additional $160 for a spot. And then you'll have to spend many hundreds of dollars fixing up your office. And then you'll have your deposit yanked. Lame.
Since October, people have been dropping out at an rapid rate once they realized what the place is all about. Of the ten or so people I met there, every single one has now left and had very little good to say about their time there. They've since found much better options in the city. I'd suggest looking around. -
Review from Evan K.
San Francisco, CA
2/8/2011
I have been a tenant at Activspace SF Mission for almost two years. I just love my space, its just enough space for me and my beauty and grooming business (http://www.ouithreeque...) and I enjoy the artsy energy of the activspace community. I've also had the opportunity to collaborate with others in the building. The management and owners are awesome people too.
Activspace gives me the opportunity to grow my business at a reasonable rate, with reasonable rent. -
Review from Brett M.
San Francisco, CA
2/19/2009
I'm a former tenant of ActivSpace, and we moved out recently along with a flood of others. That's probably economy-related. But for us, anyway, it had a lot to do with some missed opportunities on the part of the well-intentioned owners. In selling this place, there's a lot of talk of community, organized events, amenities, etc, all of which sounded great to us. However in nearly a year there, very little was delivered, aside from an impromptu barbecue or two, and it felt vacant pretty much all the time. The design and finishes default to whatever is the cheapest imaginable. Note the plastic sink faucets, sparse furnishings, and the hallway floors that echo like a drum.
It's too bad, because we really wanted this place to be something more, and would have sucked up that our studio was too small (approx. 10 x 17), too dark, and kind of pricey, if we felt a greater connection to the building. If I were them, I'd do a couple of things to help stem the outflow: 1) make a real effort at organizing community -- have regular happy hours, outdoor movie nights, roller skating, whatever, but be consistent and follow through. 2) make a silk purse out of a sow's ear -- put some capital into the common spaces. Make the lobby, courtyard, and upper lounges attractive places to be and hang out, and that make for a larger value than just the room you rent.
This place has a lot going for it -- reasonable terms, new construction, an interesting part of town, but it's missing it's chance to truly succeed, as a building and a business. -
Review from Leann R.
San Francisco, CA
5/26/2009
I can only speak as a current tenant of ActivSpace, and no I'm not getting any compensation for writing a stellar review.
Honestly, ever since I moved in in February, I've been raving to all my friends about finding such a great space for so little cost in this city of ridiculous rental rates.
When I was looking for space, I found ActivSpace and 2 other places for under $500/month. Those other two places were desk space only, in a non-private, shared work environment. That may be good for some people, but I'd rather listen to my own music, have loud phone conversations and come to work in my sweat pants if I so chose to do, in the privacy of my own 125 sq ft office, for under $500/month.
Obviously prices change with the market, but honestly, it's hard to find something comparable.
It's true, they still haven't gotten that audio visual equipment, and it's still exceptionally hard to coordinate community oriented events, but with time I'm sure they'll figure it out. Also, the community organizing can not lie solely on the shoulders of the owners or management. I'm sure this also has a lot to do with the busy schedules of tenants. After all, we all are in this place to make a living out of a hobby or vice versa.
All in all, I highly recommend it. It's cheap, centrally located, the building is super clean, good inexpensive parking for vehicles and free secure parking for bicycles. I couldn't ask for more. -
Review from D. B.
Portland, OR
8/19/2009
I LOVE my ActivSpace studio! I've been renting here for over a year and have really enjoyed being in such a vibrant place.
I'm a sculptor and needed an enclosed lockable space to contain my dust and noise. I have a huge window with a gorgeous view and a hallway full of diversely creative people - painters, web designers, photographers, textile artists, posture specialists, glass artists etc.
As a grownup, I don't need a lot of "parties" and a hangout scene, though I've enjoyed the events that I've attended. Having an individual space is great because it's private when I need to concentrate, and I just leave the door open if I want company.
The spaces are new, so I painted my walls and put down some cheap carpet - $40 total. If you need a more finished space, just ask, and maybe wait for one to become available. You can also ask for a quieter or louder group of neighbors, depending on what you like, though that is somewhat open to chance.
Overall the building is well kept, clean and pleasant. The owner visits often and really seems to care about the tenants. It's not a sterile office type of place, or a rundown band-practice pit, just a nice balance of creativity and professionalism. -
Review from Brittany R.
San Francisco, CA
11/2/2011 1 Check-in Here
good idea. but many things i would change
-
Review from coffeecake j.
San Francisco, CA
5/24/2008
id like to consider myself an honorary member of this here society.
i like it here. you know when you are walking down the street at night and you can see into peoples windows and glimpse into their lives throught the light in their windows? its like that, except all day long. -
Review from Shannon A.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/12/2009
I still feel frustrated and sad that Susan was let go but I do love this place and don't feel I should give the whole place a bad rating just because I feel they may have made an unfortunate decision. This is a great place and I feel grateful to be here.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/7/2009
I actually love being here so I didn't want to give it one star but right now it's the number it… Read more »
-
-
Review from Patty N.
San Francisco, CA
12/23/2007
I love these guys. Jess and James are really friendly, helpful property managers, and the space is turning out beautifully. I'm not sure where "fatty m" is from, but construction delays are about as normal as breathing oxygen. Sh*t happens. These people have been kind, funny, and are providing an affordable space for artists, small businesses, and people that just want to get their craft on - definitely in a neighborhood that needs it. I'm really excited to be part of the new community that is forming.
Go ActivSpace! -
Review from Jed W.
San Francisco, CA
7/30/2009
What's up with the mean reviews? We have been at ActivSpace since the beginning and have had a very good experience. The management has always been warm and responsive, and the new manager is downright awesome. True, there have been hiccups along the way, but the place is cheap, clean, well-maintained and a true find in this pricey city. A nice mix of characters, getting better all the time.
-
Review from Bronagh H.
San Francisco, CA
8/4/2009
Looked and looked for a private office space that I could afford. Everything was over $1000 and that is way out of my small business price range. When I found my little space with my private door for under $500 a month, I was thrilled. Have been her for four months and no complaints. For those looking for cookouts and get togethers, I prefer to do those in my private time and get my work done while at my office. And to those who don't like the idea of outfitting your own sace, my walls are rough and I have a concrete floor, but have clients to my space all the time. Anyway, that's my two cents.
-
Review from fatty m.
San Francisco, CA
10/30/2007
Took our $200 deposits. Told us the place was opening in October 2007. Get an email saying *whoops* we can't open until possibly January 2008 or maybe later! Now we are all sh*t outa luck because they refuse to return our deposits. What a scam. In the meantime, those I have met at their swarmy little "barbecues" are livid, just like myself. One star for having windows in the spaces. And to the previous poster--are you serious when you say mucisians finally have a place to practice?? Who the hell will stand for that? This isn't some building in Bushwick, for god's sake. The other people will hate you for making so much noise.
-
Review from Nancy F.
San Francisco, CA
1/23/2008
James and Jess are the rock stars of Activspace. They have been incredibly helpful, friendly and lots o' fun in what ordinarily would have been a dry transactional experience somewhere else. I'm very excited about joining the Activspace community. I have been looking for space off and on for a couple of years, and this space has it all...without having to wait for someone to kick the bucket in order to get a spot. Can't wait to get started! Thanks James & Jess!
-
Review from Omar L.
San Francisco, CA
Updated - 8/15/2009
the owner of ActivSpace contacted me to let me know that they have been listening to tenant feedback and that Susan is no longer the manager (though from the looks of it, this happened before I posted this review). I've kicked the rating up a couple of stars, since the place itself doesn't deserve a bad rap.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
-
8/11/2009
I've been at ActivSpace since the beginning; I moved in a couple of months after the Mission… Read more »
-
