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Spaces We Love and How to Get Them in San Diego: Pinterest’s Crafty HQ

The Pinterest Headquarters keeps their brand consistent with a colorful, upbeat office space, full of personality. (photo via Refinery29).

It’s only fitting that one of the most creative websites in the world, Pinterest — a website that inspires millions every day with home improvement projects, recipes, workout tips, makeup lessons and more — has one of the most creative and inspiring workplaces I’ve seen in all my years in commercial real estate.

Pinterest's corporate headquarters in downtown San Francisco
A street view of the Pinterest headquarters in downtown San Francisco (photo via huffingtonpost).

Located in South of Market, San Francisco, this transformed 1938 warehouse is the epitome of tech. With exposed ceilings and steel beams, it is a great mix of the masculine nature of an industrial building with feminine accents such as marquee-style signs, colorful couches, and miniature hot air balloons hanging from the ceilings.

Pinterest's office details.
An innovative workplace motivates and inspires “out-of-the-box” thinking.

It’s been critiqued for its plain white cubicles and a more “bland” kitchen – but I think the space has a look and feel that perfectly characterizes Pinterest’s fun, out-of-the-box, creative culture.  The white walls reflect the similarly “plain” white background of Pinterest’s website – but are decorated with countless beautiful details that inspire and motivate.

So the question you might be asking is, how do you find a space like this in San Diego?

We found a few options with several similarities…

The Hughes Marino building: We, too, are fans of exposed concrete, steel columns, and feminine finishes (check out the lollipop painting next to our purple chaise lounges).  We repurposed a historic building that was once an auto body shop and converted it into our now home. Sorry, this one’s not on the market.

Hughes Marino's colorful office lounge.
Hughes Marino’s office space creates a playful balance of feminine details and masculine structure.

1747 Hancock Street: Located between downtown and the San Diego airport, 1747 Hancock Street has the bones of an incredible tech space, but doesn’t quite offer the same level of finishes.  Recently re-leased, we’ll have to wait a few years to see what can be done with this historic, lofty brick building…unless you want to purchase it…It has the makings of an amazing office for someone with the right vision.

This office space on Hancock has potential, it just needs a little love.
This office space on Hancock has great potential, it just needs a little love.

The Wonder Bread Building (105-171 14th Street): It’s in a less developed part of downtown and is literally an old Wonder Bread bakery.  What could be more hip than a converted brick bakery?  It’s 8,600 square feet – and available for lease.  Please call for details.

Wonder Bread Factory in downtown San Diego.
The Wonder Bread Factory in downtown San Diego is the epitome of vintage industrial-chic (and it’s still up for grabs).

The Showley Brothers Candy Factory: Recently leased by Bumble Bee Foods, an iconic San Diego brand, the Showley Brothers Candy Factory in the outfield of Petco Park is one of the neatest spaces in San Diego.  The 30,000 square foot red brick building features exposed brick, wooden beams, support columns, and arched trusses, as well as a vibrant, collaborative interior with roll up doors opening right up to Park at the Park.  Sorry folks – it’s already taken!

Showley Candy Factory building at Petco Park
Bumble Bee Foods moved into the renovated Showley Brothers Candy Factory building at Petco Park last month.

To see more photos of Pinterest’s Headquarters, visit Refinery29. Or check out this post from Co.Design.

Star Hughes-Gorup is executive vice president and director at Hughes Marino, a global corporate real estate advisory firm that exclusively represents tenants and buyers. Star is a key member of Hughes Marino’s brokerage team, where she specializes in tenant representation and building purchases. Star also makes frequent media appearances to speak on business issues from a millennial perspective, and regularly writes for Hughes Marino’s “Spaces We Love” blog. Contact Star at 1-844-662-6635, or star@hughesmarino.com.



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