PodShare is an American real estate and hospitality company specializing in coliving spaces and related services, headquartered in Hollywood, California. It builds and operates compact shared accommodation in neighborhoods whose rental prices are typically unaffordable to those seeking temporary, flexible-let lodging. PodShare's signature accommodation is its custom-built bunk bed, which the company terms a "pod", set in an open floor plan that excludes privacy and encourages interactions between residents. PodShare was founded by Elvina Beck and her father in 2012 to address a deficit of affordable temporary accommodation for freelancers, travelers, and those between homes or jobs.
History
2012: The founding of PodShare
In 2012, 27-year-old Beck, then a Hollywood-based model and actress who had transitioned to freelance videography, saw a shortage of affordable, flexible-let accommodation in dynamic neighborhoods of Los Angeles. Beck and her father Antony, a real-estate developer, spent three months designing 10 hand-built bunk beds in a 1200 sq ft ground-floor unit in Central Hollywood. Beck designed the bunk beds to face each other and added no doors to the space, believing that the transparency and accountability this layout forced on residents would encourage interaction and cultivate trust. This flagship location, now known as PodShare Hollywood, prototyped the layout, amenities and residential principles that were rolled out to all subsequent locations:
Each bunk bed, or "pod", comes equipped with flat screen TV, personal outlets and night light.
All other areas of the building, such as kitchen, bathrooms and living room or yard, are shared.
Guests, known as "Podestrians" by the company, may rent a pod by the night, week or month, for any length of time, with no security deposit required.
Guests must be over 18. Any behavior disruptive to the communal environment is not allowed.
Guests become "members" of the PodShare community, with various benefits.
2015-2018: Expansion across Los Angeles
Between 2015 and 2018, PodShare opened locations in Los Feliz, Arts District, Venice Beach and Westwood. With the rollout of multiple locations, PodShare launched its "Live Anywhere Plan", through which guests may transfer their residence from one PodShare location to another for a fixed price per night, week or month.. Each location also serves as co-working and shared space for roommates staying at any PodShare to utilize as a "social network" with physical addresses.
From the outset, PodShare has been female-led, with founder Beck and COO Rebecca Nashleanas designing, building and operating all of the company's locations.
All company staff — C-Suite officers and RAs alike — live at PodShare. The sharing of all spaces and experiences such as meals by staff and guests is a social design Beck intended to dissolve hierarchies.
Environment
Each of PodShare's locations is built using upcycled materials, such as wood pallets and junkyard items. Beck builds each location with a small team and materials from local lumber yards. Interior designer Kate Gong, as well as street artists Christina Angelina and Braga Last1, are among those artists who have contributed design and wall art to PodShare's locations. PodShare regularly hosts performances from Sofar Sounds, as well as comedy nights, tech community gatherings, and community meals for PodShare members at Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Since 2014, Beck has been an active member of her Central Hollywood Neighborhood Council. Beck was elected President in 2015 and was re-elected to another 4 year term in 2019.
Awards
In 2020, Beck was awarded the Impact Makers Award, given to those individuals who are making positive impacts on their communities. She received the award on January 29, 2020 in the Council Chambers at Los Angeles City Hall.
Conversations around affordability
Since July 2019, international news coverage on PodShare has prompted commentary on the lack of affordable housing in the United States, and particularly in California. Some commentators have decried the market need for PodShare. Others have lauded its model of "bridge housing" for those who would otherwise be shut out of employment and cultural hotspots, or made homeless, by high rent.
