# SF startup founders live in Academy of Art University dorms

> SF startup founders now live in former Academy of Art University dorms.
- Title: SF startup founders live in Academy of Art University dorms
- Summary: SF startup founders now live in former Academy of Art University dorms. SF startup founders are using former Academy of Art University dorms as short-term…
- Keywords: academy of art university, the residency, startup founders, residency program, co-working space, tech unicorns, news, local, startup, founders, live, Academy
- Source: The San Francisco Standard — https://sfstandard.com/2026/10/09/academy-art-university-the-residency
- Published: 2026-10-09T13:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: academy of art university, the residency, sf, startup founders, residency program, ai, co-working space, tech unicorns, news, local
## Former dorms now host startup founders
Academy of Art University's Octavia Street building now houses 20 startup founders for three-month residencies.
## 20% of founders are women
The residency program has 20% women, above the startup industry average.
## Academy of Art University leased three buildings
The university leased three buildings to The Residency for AI-focused founder residencies.
## 2016 lawsuit over housing conversion
The city sued the university in 2016 for illegally converting affordable housing to dorms.
## Residency program costs $2,000/month
Residents pay $2,000 per month or equity in their companies for the program.
## Superhero Hotel rebranded for founders
The Commodore Hotel was sold in 2025 and rebranded as the Superhero Hotel for startup founders.
## Key takeaway

SF startup founders are using former Academy of Art University dorms as short-term residencies to build tech companies.