SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- San Francisco could soon welcome its first gay bathhouse in decades after the city's Planning Commission approved permits for a new facility near Market Street.
The proposed business, called Sanctum Baths, is planned for a vacant storefront at the corner of 12th and Stevenson streets in the South of Market neighborhood.
Gay bathhouses have been absent from San Francisco since the 1980s, when the city shut them down amid concerns surrounding the AIDS crisis. Changes to city law in 2022 made them legal again.
Jonathan Ojinaga, owner of neighboring business Azucar Lounge and a member of the LGBTQ community, supports the project.
He said bathhouses historically served as more than just places for sex, providing spaces for people to socialize, connect and build community.
"They weren't just a place for sex. They were a community meeting space," Ojinaga said. "People would go and hang out and play pool and meet and congregate, and it was a safe place."
Project sponsor Kevin Born told commissioners the goal is to create a professionally managed facility focused on cleanliness, safety, privacy and accessibility.
"Our goal is to create a modern facility centered on cleanliness, safety, privacy, accessibility and responsible management," Born said.
The Planning Commission unanimously approved the permits in a 7-0 vote.
Commission President Amy Campbell said the project would provide a space that recognizes and supports San Francisco's LGBTQ community.
"I appreciate having venues that, as it was described in the package, really acknowledge our LGBTQ community and provide a space that's safe and identity affirming for our city," Campbell said.
Born said the business is considering operating 24 hours a day.
Ojinaga hopes the project will bring more activity to the South of Market neighborhood, which continues to recover from the pandemic.
"I love the neighborhood, I love the community, and I'm hopeful this is just one of many things that will fall into place and allow this neighborhood to become vibrant again," he said.
Renovations are still needed before the business can open. The current estimated opening timeline is late 2027.
