Local contractor Kevin Born is set to capitalize on a newly passed law in San Francisco that permits the establishment of adult bathhouses. He has plans to create a luxury version of a bathhouse named Maze SF in a two-story building located at 40 12th Street in SoMa.
Born, who also owns and operates Ashbury General Contracting & Engineering and has a stake in the Midway nightclub, envisions Maze SF as an upscale, 24-hour venue that will be “unapologetically queer.” According to Born in an interview with the SF Business Times, he wants to provide an experience akin to that of a high-end spa, stating, “This isn’t your daddy’s old bathhouse with plywood walls painted black. You’ll feel like you stepped into the Four Seasons Spa.”
The journey to open a bathhouse in San Francisco follows a significant legislative shift. It was just five years ago when openly gay supervisor Rafael Mandelman proposed rolling back an ordinance that had outlawed gay bathhouses in the city since 1984. This law was enacted during the AIDS epidemic by then-Mayor Dianne Feinstein for both political and public health reasons.
The local ordinance allowing bathhouses was finally passed in November 2024, paving the way for new projects, including Maze SF, Castro Baths, and New Bathhouse. Mandelman noted that advancements in treatment for HIV, such as PrEP, have transformed the public health landscape, asserting that it is time to reevaluate these regulations.
Currently, the options for queer bathhouses in San Francisco are limited, as there are no establishments that meet the definition of proper queer bathhouses, which includes rentable rooms with locks, showers, and spa facilities. Eros, a pseudo bathhouse and sex club in the Tenderloin, and Archimedes Banya, a traditional and non-sexual bathhouse, are the only nearby alternatives. The closest functioning queer bathhouse remains Steamworks in Berkeley.
Born, who identifies as straight but has many gay friends and recognizes a business opportunity in this niche market, aims to address this void. Once construction is complete, he plans to bring on a full-time operator to manage Maze SF.
In the planning stages, the design for Maze SF is described as maze-like, featuring lounge areas upstairs and multiple rooms for patrons to engage in or observe sexual activities. Born has also conducted market research by observing foot traffic at Steamworks, estimating that 250 to 350 people visit the Berkeley location daily. He believes there is substantial demand for a bathhouse in San Francisco, particularly among gay men who may hesitate to travel to Berkeley for such experiences.
As it stands, the timeline for Maze SF’s opening remains unclear, as the project awaits city approvals. The forthcoming establishment signifies a notable shift in the San Francisco landscape for LGBTQ spaces and services, highlighting evolving social norms and the potential for revitalizing community hubs.
image source from：https://sfist.com/2025/06/09/co-owner-of-midway-to-open-the-four-seasons-of-gay-bathhouses-in-soma/
