See BehindKink for more extensive coverage of Kink.com
18/Dec/2007 | As of Monday, Kink Can Officially Call its Castle 'Home' 
It was almost one year ago to the day that Peter Acworth purchased the historic San Francisco Armory to use as a production studio for his growing adult empire, Kink.com. The 93-year-old building, abandoned for the last 30 years, naturally required a LOT of work before the thriving internet company could move its offices there. But with an all-star team like Lisset, Rich, Gaw and Daniel heading up the massive project, there was no obstacle too large to stop Kink.com from moving into their new home 6 months ahead of schedule. With Founder and CEO Peter Acworth unfortunately sick in bed, the rest of the employees gathered together to celebrate the huge accomplishment in his honor. While there is still plenty left to do, everyone is thrilled to be able to begin 2008 in their spacious new home in the Mission. While it might appear to just be a change of location, the move to the Armory represents much more than just physical space; it signifies the dawn of a whole new era for Kink.com in which the possibilities are literally endless.
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16/Nov/2007 | SF Armory Window Restoration Project In Full Swing 
While the San Francisco Armory window restoration project got underway over a month ago, this week, Kink.com's crew was finally able to see some clear progress. After spending weeks tearing down endless boarded-up windows, removing 30 years of debris and decay, and repairing and replacing the rotting window frames, the brand new windowpanes themselves finally arrived. But before they could be installed, they first had to be carefully stained and sealed, in keeping with the Armory's historic aesthetic. As soon as the windows were ready, the team wasted no time seeing what they looked like in action. This week alone, the restoration crew was able to install 12 brand new windows, the effect of which has already caught the eye of several neighbors. With the entire first floor scheduled to be completed within 2 weeks, it won't be long until the whole building seems a whole lot brighter.
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31/Oct/2007 | Peter Explores Rumors that SF Armory May Be Haunted 
Last December, when Kink.com purchased the SF Armory, a building that had been abandoned for 30 years, they knew it would be dirty and rundown. But haunted? That they weren't expecting. The employees started to hear rumors about ghosts in the Armory and some even heard noises while working late. With so many boarded-up rooms and sealed-off areas, Kink.com Founder and CEO, Peter Acworth became curious what could possibly be hiding behind them. Peter was especially fascinated with the Armory's mysterious basement swimming pool that had been completely filled in with cement. After making a small hole to see what was inside, he decided to bring Kink.com's Directors with him to investigate further. They had absolutely no idea what they were in store for. Though we may never know for sure what opening up the sealed swimming pool could have stirred up, one thing is certain—while Halloween might only happen once a year, from now on, every day at the Armory could potentially be the scariest day of your life.
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18/Oct/2007 | SF Armory Window Restoration Project Gets Underway 
For over 30 years, the SF Armory lay vacant and dilapidated, a foreboding monolith that both intrigued and terrified passersby. With its boarded up and broken windows, the Armory almost took on the mystique of a haunted castle. And while October might be the perfect time of year to indulge in that fantasy, this Halloween the SF Armory might not seem so eerie. Kink.com has officially started one of the building's most significant renovations: the restoration of all 371 windows. While the Landmark Preservation Board approved this project over 5 months ago, permitting technicalities prevented Kink.com from getting started until now. Before the new windows can be installed a great deal of work has to be done to the damaged frames. For years the windows have been broken, cracked and vandalized, and the majority of them are completely covered up. The next few weeks will be spent removing debris and decay, repairing and replacing the rotting window frames, sanding, painting, and finally installing the new windowpanes. The SF Armory window restoration project will no doubt have a lasting effect on the neighboring community and bring some light to the once dark and ominous street corner.
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19/Jun/2007 | Kink Gets Ready to Participate in SF Gay Pride Celebration 
Every June, people from all over the world gather in San Francisco to celebrate Gay Pride. Kink.com founder and CEO, Peter Acworth, decided that he wanted to participate as much as possible in this year's pride events to show the company's support and involvement with the gay community. His first matter of business was raising 2 enormous Gay Pride flags from the Armory's newly functional flagpoles. Two of Kink.com's favorite Webmasters, Tomcat of Fuckingmachines.com and Princess Donna of Wiredpussy.com, jumped at the opportunity to be a part of the historic act of raising a Gay Pride flag over a building formerly used for military training. Kink.com also plans to participate in Sunday's parade by driving their western saloon float down Market Street. Peter has even offered the Armory's Drill Court to other parade participants to use to store their floats the night before the parade. Everyone at Kink.com is looking forward to this weekend to celebrate San Francisco's legendary diversity and its tolerance of all types of lifestyles.
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12/Jun/2007 | Kink.com Raises 2nd Flag Atop Armory Roof 
Peter Acworth's recent triumph of climbing the Armory's rickety flagpole to hang the San Francisco City flag was only bittersweet, as one more bare flagpole lay nearby, begging to be adorned. But Peter retired early from his career as a death-defying stuntman and sought out a brave employee to raise the second flag in his stead. While more safety precautions, manpower, and time were dedicated to the task, the fears and risks are still the same the second time around. Despite some hurdles, Kink.com's fearless Prop Master, the Korean Owl, managed to install and raise the California State flag on the Armory's second flagpole. Seeing both city and state flags flying high above the Mission neighborhood make Peter want to erect 2 additional flagpoles so that a variety of flags may be flown. He hopes to use the Armory's flagpoles to show the neighborhood that Kink.com celebrates the many different communities and lifestyles that make San Francisco such a wonderfully diverse place to live.
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7/Jun/2007 | Peter Stares Death in the Face While Hanging Armory Flag 
In addition to plans to fix the Armory's windows, light it up, and landscape the surrounding areas, Peter Acworth, founder and CEO of Kink.com and Armory Studios, decided that he wanted to let the neighborhood know that the Armory is no longer vacant by raising the city flag. Having a reputation as a do-it-yourself kind of CEO, Peter was not about to sit back and hire someone to rethread a 93 year-old flagpole; he insisted on climbing up the ladder himself. Despite Peter's executive team pleading with him not to risk his life hanging a flag, nothing would stop him from attempting the perilous journey up the ladder over 100 feet above rush-hour traffic.
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16/May/2007 | Planning Commission OKs Restoration of Armory Windows 
The San Francisco Landmark Preservation Advisory Board met this afternoon to discuss Kink.com's request for a Certificate of Appropriateness for the rehabilitation, restoration, and replacement of the historic wood windows of the San Francisco Armory. This request marks the first step in renovating the SF Armory to its original splendor and readying the building for large-scale productions. Peter Acworth was delighted when the Certificate of Appropriateness was granted unanimously. "I think that it's going to be quite a moving experience when we let light into the rooms that have been dark for 30 years, not to mention the positive effect it will have on our relationship with the neighborhood," said Acworth to his employees after the meeting. As soon as a building permit is obtained, Kink.com's Facilities and Art Departments are ready and waiting to restore all 371 of the Armory's windows.
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13/Mar/2007 | Planning Commission Holds Hearing About SF Armory 
In response to community opposition to Kink.com’s use of the Armory, the SF Planning Commission decided to hold an informational hearing to address concerns and to answer the public’s questions. The meeting was so well attended that an overflow room needed to be used in order to accommodate all of the spectators. The debate was heated, but in the end, the Commissioners confirmed that everything regarding Kink’s use of the Armory was in order and that there was little to nothing its opponents could do to derail Kink.com’s plans.
View video: WMV | Real Media | Ipod Check out the entire hearing at the SFGTV website. |
8/Mar/2007 | Planning Department Hearing About the Armory In response to today's meeting at the San Francisco Planning Commission, kink.com owner Peter Acworth had this to say: "As a long-time San Francisco business owner, I welcome any and all dialogue with our neighbors. For the last decade, we have been a good community member and neighbor to our fellow residents and businesses at our current Mission Street location. We look forward to proving our commitment to our new neighbors at the San Francisco Armory. We thank the San Francisco Planning Commission for its time, and we especially thank all the community members who came to express their opinions, concerns and support." |
1/Mar/2007 | Kink.com Unveils The First Official Shoot at the Armory 
Immediately after Kink.com bought the armory, executive producer Lisset
Barcellos went right to work planning for the first official shoot at the
armory. Many hours were spent by the facilities, art and production
departments in order to paint walls, repair plumbing, set up the PA’s
cleaning room, and prepare a comfortable warm space for the models.
James Mogul’s site Men in Pain was the guinea pig and Claire Adams and Wild
Bill the lucky models. Watch as the team at kink.com works through unique
challenges and hustles to make their production deadline.
Check out this exciting shoot at meninpain.com
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28/Feb/2007 | Armory Opens its Doors for Kink.com Happy Hour 
Complimentary Happy Hours are a long-standing Friday night tradition at Kink.com’s Porn Palace. Employees and friends look forward to unwinding and socializing at the end of each week. This Friday, however, Kink.com hosted the party at its new stomping ground, the SF Armory. Over 400 employees, guests and friends poured into the Armory’s Drill Court for drinks, tours, and good times.
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23/Feb/2007 | Broad Support for Kink.com's Armory move The San Francisco Business Times recently ran a poll which asked the question “Do you a porn movie set is the best use for San Francisco's old Armory”. Despite the obviously poor wording of this question, the results speak for themselves.Additionally, according to Eve Batey, the Blogging and Interactive Editor of the San Francisco Chronicle “Violet Blue's column netted 32 email responses for Kink/armory, and 5 against.”. “This is reflective of my own experience having put myself out there and invited comments and feedback” said kink.com founder Peter Acworth. “Since the start of this whole thing, the picture I am getting is of substantial majority support. There is a small body of people who feel strongly against our move, and this has caused many people to support us privately rather than publicly.” |
22/Feb/2007 | Peter Bonds with the Armory Boiler 
Peter is always willing to get dirty for the cameras. Watch as he ventures into the Armory’s ancient Boiler for a priceless photo op.
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15/Feb/2007 | Kink.com Employees Respond to Protesters' Criticism 
The Mission Armory Community Collective staged a protest last Thursday
carrying signs that claimed that Kink.com offered "dead-end" jobs that "no
decent person would want." In response, the employees of Kink.com share
their personal paths through the company.
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10/Feb/2007 | Tom Ammiano Discusses Armory  District 9 Supervisor Tom Ammiano talks about the armory purchase.View video: WMV | Real Media | Ipod |
9/Feb/2007 | Community Collective Protests Kink.com 
On February 8, 2007 the Mission Armory Community Collective, an
organization of Mission District nonprofits, businesses and concerned
residents, organized a protest against the sale of the SF armory to
Kink.com. An estimated group of 50 protestors with anti-Kink.com picket
signs and chants to “shut them down” shared the message that they are not
morally against pornography, but against kink.com moving into their
family-based neighborhood.
View video: WMV | Real Media | Ipod Other reports on this story can be found here: ABC7 |
5/Feb/2007 | Dan Savage and Carol Queen give their opinion Famous columnists Dan Savage and Carol Queen offer positive commentary on Kink's armory purchase. Read Dan's here and Carol's here |
2/Feb/2007 | Kink.com meets with supervisor Dufty  The kink.com crew met today with Bevan Dufty, the supervisor for a district bordering the Armory."I found Bevan very thoughtful and I really appreciated him having taken the time to meet with us. I want to thank him for his time and his positive comments regarding our move to the Armory.” said Kink.com founder Peter Acworth. View video: WMV | Real Media | Ipod |
30/Jan/2007 | The Press on Kink.com Kink.com has been the subject of many news stories. Here is a selection: SF Chronicle, XBiz, AVN online, KNTV, Asian Week, The Examiner, Metblogs, The Chronicle |
19/Jan/2007 | Peter seeks Mission community support  Kink.com founder, Peter Acworth, and Executive Producer, Lisset Barcellos, met with the Mission Merchants Association on the 16th of January to discuss the controversial purchase of San Francisco's historic Armory building. Nestled in a residential working-class neighborhood rich with cultural heritage, Acworth was met with both criticism and support regarding the impact Kink.com could have on the surrounding community. Check out the Examiner article covering this meeting.
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18/Jan/2007 | Peter Acworth Buys the San Francisco Armory 
On a recent tour of the historic San Francisco Armory, fetish pornography entrepreneur Peter Acworth explored the possibilities of purchasing this historic landmark to house Kink.com. Built in 1914 to house over 700 soldiers, the SF Armory was abandoned by the National Guard in 1976. Before making such a monumental decision to buy the SF Armory, Peter consults his trusted employees and debates the many risks of this controversial purchase. For the full length video, visit Behind Kink.
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10/Jan/2007 | CBS5 reports on kink.com purchase of armory  Check out the video of CBS5's evening news coverage here. |
9/Jan/2007 | NBC11 Video of Kink.com's Armory Purchase  NBC11's evening news reports on Kink.com's purchase of the Armory. Check it out here. |
2/Jan/2007 | Kink.com Aquires San Francisco Armory  Kink.com has acquired The State Armory and Arsenal (Landmark #78000758, 1800 Mission St at 14th). KINK.COM closed on the Armory as of Friday, December 29th, 2006.This 200,000 square foot reproduction Moorish Castle was completed in 1914 and was used as a National Guard facility until 1976. It is full of period detail including cavernous dungeon-like basements, stone staircases, sweeping corridors, and a gigantic drill court spanning almost an acre. During rioting in San Francisco in 1934, it served as both a barricade and safety point for officers. “I have been excited about the Armory ever since I first toured it 18 months ago,” says Peter Acworth, CEO and Founder of Kink.com. “It is a historic monument with amazing character and I believe it has wonderful potential as a movie production studio. The building has not been used in 30 years and I look forward to an exciting restoration project and helping revive San Francisco’s movie industry.” For the full story, click here. |
