Today we’d like to introduce you to Elvina Beck.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Elvina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
PodShare builds co-living spaces across Los Angeles to share for $50/night, $280/week or $1,000/month.
No security deposit, no furnishing costs, no utility costs, no buying toiletries.
DTLA Arts District + Los Feliz + Hollywood/Vine + Westwood (UCLA) + Venice/Abbot Kinney
Book a custom-built “pod” in one of our locations, and become a member of a social network of locations that allows you to co-live and co-work at any other PodShare for the duration of your access pass.
Kera Package and I design and build every pod! We figure out the most optimal floor plan, pickup the lumber, frame out all of the beds and stairways, face them with our small team of talented carpenters (who have a straighter cut than our’s), stain and seal, and install the floors, tension cables, and amenities (lights, outlets, hooks).
We enforce communitarian rules like “no tenting” and “don’t invite your friends, make new ones” that keep security as top priority.
Our team lives in pods across the city. We hang out with Podestrians, and co-work in our common areas. Our story is the PodShare life 365. We share our resources with those around us.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As we grow, our community does too. I was 27 with 1 location when I started PodShare and today I am 33 with 187 pods across 5 locations! You can imagine the logistical and managerial growing pains we’ve overcome. We are always looking for people to join our team, and landlords who support our cause.
We’ve hosted over 20,000 Podestrians, 18 of which got a tattoo of our logo because they have wanderlust or a desire to share their stories with strangers who become their friends. Podestrians stay anywhere from 1 night to multiple months.
We constantly collect input within our locations and online. After converting a former dispensary and an old church into our open floor plan pods, we recently began a new experiment catering more to those who want to stay a little longer term. We repurposed an old hotel as a co-living space. We opened Westwood to offer smaller occupancy rooms and opportunities to have a little more – but not too much – privacy. This new location provides flexible housing to anyone who needs to be on the West Side and can’t afford the W hotel next door.
PodShare – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The future of housing is mobile. By having access points across the city, state, country and the world, you become a global citizen. By sharing, you help break down walls. Everyone wants to afford housing, whether to survive or to enjoy other luxuries. Each neighborhood is special, and by having access to it we can buy and support local.
PodShare’s story is about creating more communities through affordable housing – whether short term or long term. The hybrid of transient and long term stays makes for more well-rounded roommates. Short term roommates love to eat out and explore the city, while our longer term roommates cook in to extend their budget.
Podestrians are either travelers (in town for leisure), transitioners (moving to the city of LA and apartment/job hunting) or temps (monthly visitors for internship or job). We host anyone 18+ from anywhere in the world.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
PodShare wants to provide housing for anyone who needs a place to stay for any duration of time.
A home can look like an apartment, hotel, dorm room, house, shipping container, boat, tent or a pod.
We try to build comfortable and affordable communities in our favorite parts of Los Angeles.
In an effort to incorporate people from all walks of life, PodShare is hoping to one day use its model to house the homeless, build pet friendly accommodations with accompanying “puppy pods” and offer a judgment free zone for marijuana users. We never want to create cliques and always invite everyone to participate, but we understand that certain lifestyles may require individualized attention or tribes so we are looking for partners who are passionate about housing specific demographics to adapt our model.
Pricing:
- $50/night
- $280/week
- $1,000/month
Contact Info:
- Address: 1623 Cosmo Street Hollywood, 90028
- Website: PodShare.com
- Phone: 213.973.7741
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/podshare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PodShare/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/podshare
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/podshare-los-angeles
- Other: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g32655-d3382253-Reviews-PodShare-Los_Angeles_California.html
Image Credit:
Ron Hall, Elvina Beck
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
