City Requiring Permits for Twitter’s Dystopian Office Bedrooms

After a Forbes article revealed dozens of makeshift sleeping areas in Twitter’s downtown San Francisco offices, the city is asking the company to file for permits if they want to keep them.

1 minute read

February 5, 2023, 11:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Twitter office building in downtown San Francisco

JHVEPhoto / Twitter headquarters

“Earlier this week San Francisco building inspectors told Twitter’s construction company that it had two weeks to submit a building permit that allows for the existing conference room sleepers,” writes Audrey Wachs in The Architect’s Newspaper. Whether people should be encouraged to sleep at work is another question.

The makeshift bedrooms first appeared on social media in December, when employees posted photos of them. After Forbes published an article validating what at first seemed like a bad joke, city inspectors descended on the company. “In order to get the newly-required permits, Twitter’s contractor has to send over revised floor plans that depict the new bedrooms.”

According to Wachs, “The December pictures revealed a sleeping quarter with a queen bed, a nightstand, and two armchairs atop bright orange carpets.” According to one employee, the sleeping quarters are “[not a good look. It’s yet another unspoken sign of disrespect. There is no discussion. Just like, beds showed up.”

Friday, February 3, 2023 in The Architect's Newspaper

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Historic homes in St. Augustine, Florida.

Florida Considers Legalizing ADUs

Current state law allows — but doesn’t require — cities to permit accessory dwelling units in single-family residential neighborhoods.

March 18, 2025 - Newsweek

Aerial view of suburban housing near Las Vegas, Nevada.

HUD Announces Plan to Build Housing on Public Lands

The agency will identify federally owned parcels appropriate for housing development and streamline the regulatory process to lease or transfer land to housing authorities and nonprofit developers.

March 17, 2025 - The Wall Street Journal

Close-up of traffic congestion from behind cars on a freeway in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Conservatives’ Decongestion Pricing Flip-Flop

When it comes to solving traffic problems, the current federal administration is on track for failure, waste, and hypocrisy.

March 17, 2025 - Todd Litman

Close-up on 45 mph speed limit sign with part of Golden Gate Bridge visible in background, San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Turns On California’s First Speed Cameras

The city is the first in the state to use automated traffic enforcement to reduce speeding and traffic deaths.

6 hours ago - KQED

Downtown Los Angeles skyline viewed from the northwest on a sunny day with scattered clouds.

Shaping LA’s Future: Public Voting Opens for LA2050 Grants

The LA2050 Grants Challenge invites Angelenos to vote on the top issues facing Los Angeles, helping direct $3 million in funding to organizations working to build a more connected and resilient region.

7 hours ago - MyNewsLA.com

White CTA bus and elevated train against sunset sky in downtown Chicago, Illinois.

Chicago Transit Agencies on Brink of Major Crisis

Without additional funding, regional transit agencies will be forced to cut services by 40 percent.

March 25 - Mass Transit