Office Envy: Yves Behar makes coworking sexy at Canopy in Jackson Square
The color palette at Canopy was inspired by neighborhood landmarks including City Lights Books. (Photography by Joe Fletcher)

Office Envy: Yves Behar makes coworking sexy at Canopy in Jackson Square

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Nobody wants to be stuck in a boring office. And with so many stylish coworking spaces—from the ladies-only Assembly to Roam, inside the historic Archbishop's Mansion—there's zero need to slog through dreary days in a cubicle or hole up at home on your couch.

The latest address to open up communal desk space in the city is the stuff of Pinterest dreams; a place for professional grown-ups not just to plug in but rather to settle in(to luxury furnishings) and get inspired, thanks to designer Yves Behar and Amir Mortazavi of M-Projects, and co-founder Steve Mohebi.


You may already know about Canopy, the Behar and Mortazavi–designed coworking space that opened in Pacific Heights in 2016. Well now a second location is luring laptop-toters to Jackson Square, where 13,000 square feet (that's five times the size of the Pac Heights spot) have everything a working gal or guy could want, from open computer stations to glass-enclosed private offices and conference rooms with custom-designed marble tables, to a comfy lounge, phone booths, and even a room designated for nursing mothers.

That's right: The place at the corner of Columbus Street and Pacific Avenue is luxe.

"We found ourselves surrounded by the very best of San Francisco's culinary, design, arts, and fashion scenes," says Mortazavi, pointing to such tony neighbors as restaurants Quince and Cotogna and the dapper Bix, and boutiques including Isabel Marant and Shinola. "This location in San Francisco's cultural heart was the primary inspiration for Canopy Jackson Square's contemporary design."


Design cues throughout were taken from the building's surrounds: "The pink and green color palette was inspired by the Sentinel building and City Lights Bookstore, historical spaces where zeitgeists transpired," Mortazavi told us, and the team even sourced the same marble found at Francis Ford Coppola's nearby Cafe Zoetrope. Bay Area craftspeople and artisans were also tapped for help: Canopy features ceramics from Year and Day and a plaster gradient wall by artist Victor Reyes. Other amenities exclusive to the Jackson Square locale include a 1,500-square-foot partially covered and heated deck, and a cafe stocking treats from Jane and Blue Bottle Coffee. Lush plants and plush textiles invite you to stay all day, while dedicated spaces encourage you to hit those deadlines.

Which reminds us, this is still an office space so there is, of course, office furniture. But only the best: Sit your derriere in contemporary Sayl chairs (designed by Behar for Herman Miller) at smart desks that raise and lower to your desired height; additional seating comes from the likes of Chadwick and Charles and Ray Eames. Artsy elements make their way into the fixtures such as floating copper shelves and vintage lights by Preben Dahl.

The overall effect is first class, with a sense of serenity and style permeating every corner. This is an office you'll be thrilled to go to in the morning—and it's stunning enough even to convince the migrant millennial to settle down.

// Membership starts at $100/month for a virtual membership or $275 for 60 in-office days. Amenities including 24-hour access, WiFi, security system, and desktop accessory store; 595 Pacific Ave., Floor 4 (FiDi), canopy.space/locations/jackson-square

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