Peter Talks with ABC About Public Tours of the Armory
21 April 2011
18 Comments
"The windows were all boarded up, there was graffiti on the outside and it was basically left to decay on the interior," Kink.com owner Peter Acworth said.
Acworth is king of the castle now and owner of Kink.com, a video production company that specializes in X-rated fetish films.
"I think it was the character of this building that brought me to it; it's a historic landmark in its own right and it has enormous amount of character and we didn't have to do a great deal to the interior to make it suitable for our productions," Acworth said.
Despite opposition from some people in the neighborhood, Kink.com bought the building in 2007 for $14.5 million and immediately started cleaning-up the outside of the building.
"The building has been a place for homeless and criminal activity and very unsanitary for many years so, I think Peter has done a good job cleaning up the building," David Klein said. Klein was the broker for the building for 15 years.
Klein says that clean up, 24-hour security and the comings and goings of the more than 100 people employed there has lead to a turnaround in the neighborhood.
Two to three times a week, employees lead a tour of the building. It includes visits to the elaborate sets and shows visitors a long forgotten creek that runs directly under the building. But it is the kinky side of Kink.com that has visitors raving about a chance to what happens inside the building.
"It's been amazing, it's five levels of just hedonism and interesting architecture and we got to see a live film shoot which is just amazing," tourist Ramona Tumber said.
"I think it's great that something that is controversial and typically viewed negatively by society is helping preserve this building and being open with the community and providing a resource and I think that's great," Acworth said.
Tours are restricted to visitors 18 and older.
Incorrect. The Armory was not placed there to prevent enemy attack. No National Guard facility is meant for that. It was simply a place to provide training for the Guard.
historic preservation is critical for a Society to recall what occurred in the past, it’s very roots. it inspires a new generation of artists, mathematicians, architects, craftsman, engineers, soldiers, etc, etc.
in short, it FEELS good & evokes a sense of pride!
the elusive moving target has always been how to find new uses for old architecture & how to PAY for upgrades & preservation. too often it becomes a non revenue producing albatross hung around the necks of taxpayers.
Peter has always been a visionary, that’s how he’s built fetish’s 800 lb gorilla in the industry. private ownership usually means “private property. keep out!!” it becomes forever lost to public access.
the armory is an icon in the community.
i already hear fresh pride in neighbor’s voices & “look wot I did!” from polititians.
it’s great to see that better has substance & character. he already helps many people pay their bills through employment. nobody could have expected more of him.
what he’s doing for the image of sex workers & adult-product performers as far as breaking down stereotypes, is incalculable.
these are our neighbors, daughters, girl-next-door, mom’s, dad’s & fellow shoppers at the grocery store.
some of us are carpenters, some of us are entertainers.
one can only wonder which one is having more fun!!!
takes care…firmangel
What a bad news; kink.com does not belong anymore to the 144.000. (Who are on the earth, but not so earthly) May be (surely) some of them!.
Wishing you all
the best.
Still off your meds, Stefan? Please call your doctor.
firmangel the inaccuracies in your post simply astound me.
wow I cant wait to vacation in SF now.
“Waaaaahmbulance” … Kink. com is just a referrence; a model and the container. This what the container takes in -are in the meaning of some of them-.
Some does not determine the quantity of. Could be
10 – 20 – or 60.
May be you are one of them!.
On the other hand, it had to be respected the whole of them. The whole of them is in the meaning of Kink.com.
Of course the armory was built to protect the community and state from attack, do you think its a coincidence that National Guard armories built in the 20′s were designed like castles. They may not serve the same purpose today, but back then the threat of invasion was real. I’m glad Kink has made it their home, hell thats what soldiers fight for! The right for people in this country to say and do what they want, and for all those that would protest the most basic of our american freedoms, I say this. Don’t let the door hit you in the ass on your way to another country where prudes rule the world.
well mr.peter you should think of expanding your business by introducing indians to your kink castle.Come up to india once pick up a handful of gals and guys take them there and give them employment as models i bet you’ll hit hard on the market.U may contact me at +919031739093.
Thank you for using and transforming a building that was already there. gives a wonderful feel to all the shoots I have viewed.
Having worked in the Armory NO it was not there to protect San Fran from attack. A Castle was the easiest way to control temperature inside the building. The Armory was simply a training facility.
one claim about the armorys built around that time was that they were intented to put down riots by the masses i can not remember where i saw the article but the placment design and arms installed in them seem to lend credence to it true or not.and those were very wild times in the cities.still and all badass building want to go out and take a tour some day.
I had no idea how to approach this beforeÂnow IÂm lcoekd and loaded.
One or two to reembmer, that is.
Superbly illuminating data here, thakns!
I an a life long Transvestite who would be thrilled to visit and tour the Armory. What arrangements need to be made? Can I dress there and take part in a video shoot including me? Thanks for your interest. Could the shoot be on the Upper Floor and feature shemales?