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Chateau Ubuntu was a short-lived but notable communal living experiment in San Francisco. Operating from 2016 to 2017, it housed up to 38 residents in a historic mansion near Alamo Square. The community was known for its ambitious social structure, creative events, and eventual legal controversies that led to its closure.
Overview
Location
- Address: 860 Fell Street, San Francisco, CA 94117 [1]
Name and Philosophy
The name “Chateau Ubuntu” reflected the community’s ethos:
- “Ubuntu”: A Bantu term meaning “I am because we are,” emphasizing interconnectedness and shared humanity [2].
- “Chateau”: A nod to the mansion’s French Victorian architecture and ironic reference to aristocratic estates [1].
Physical Space
Building Features
The mansion was built in 1894 and included:
- Bedrooms: 10 rooms converted into shared spaces for 2–6 people each [1].
- Decor: Included 27 chandeliers and an “Aquarium Bathroom” with goldfish swimming in the toilet tank [2].
- Shared Kitchen: Served communal meals, including 192 eggs weekly [2].
Community Structure
Membership and Costs
Residents paid:
- Rent: $650 – $1,400 per month depending on room size [5].
- Monthly Fee: $350 covering utilities, farmer’s market food plans, and participation in “transformative experiences” [1].
Membership involved a rigorous application process:
- Application Requirements: A 35-question form and video submission [1].
Governance Principles
Residents adhered to the “P.A.C.T.S. + Gratitude” framework:
- Presence & Participation
- Awesomeness
- Collaboration
- Transformative Experiences
- Sustainability
- Gratitude as an overarching value [2].
Community life was highly interactive:
- Residents tracked hugs using a “Hug Tracker,” recording over 1,330 hugs weekly [1].
Events and Programming
Cultural Offerings
Chateau Ubuntu hosted various events:
- Groupmuse Concerts: Bi-monthly performances featuring classical music and modern reinterpretations (e.g., Britney Spears covers) [6].
- Collaborative Art Projects: Documented through YouTube videos showcasing resident creativity [3].
Legal Challenges
Planning Violations
The community faced significant zoning issues:
- October 2016: Initial complaints prompted inspections by the San Francisco Planning Department [4].
- January 2017: Chateau Ubuntu was ordered to reduce occupancy from 38 residents to ≤15 and reclassify as a three-family dwelling [5].
Financial Controversies
Criticism arose over discrepancies between advertised rents ($650/month) and actual charges ($1,000 – $1,400/month). The mansion’s gross revenue potential exceeded $23,900 per month [5].
Closure and Legacy
End of Operations
Chateau Ubuntu ceased operations in mid-2017 following legal disputes. The mansion was converted into traditional apartments shortly thereafter [4].
Cultural Impact
Despite its brief existence, Chateau Ubuntu influenced urban co-living debates:
- Highlighted tensions between communal housing models and zoning regulations [8].
- Inspired subsequent intentional communities like The Embassy Network [8].