Premier Event Space Near Moscone Center for Game Developers Conference

by Something Incorporated August 28, 2025

Ready to give your Game Developers Conference (GDC) guests a change of scenery without dragging them halfway across town?

Say hello to The Box SF, the three-story historic building that sits only two easy blocks from Moscone Center and packs six very different rooms under one roof.

If you’re looking for a venue to host your GDC-adjacent event, here’s what you need to know about The Box SF.

Why Go Off-Site During GDC 2026

GDC 2026 is going to run from March 9-13 and is set to welcome close to 30,000 game makers, artists, and publishers. With so many folks swarming the convention floor, a private spot nearby will be essential for organizations. You may want:

a press lounge where interviews can happen without fan noise
a place to woo investors over craft coffee
a stage for a hands-on preview that needs solid Wi-Fi and a bit of secrecy
a calm after-party zone that lets people chat without shouting

The Box SF covers every one of those needs and lets you keep the crowd close to Moscone for quick returns to the expo hall.

A Building with True Character

Our address at 1069 Howard Street belongs to a restored 1920s printing plant. Wood beams and original floors bring warmth and history you just won’t get in a hotel ballroom. The vibe feels lived-in, creative, and proudly San Francisco. And that’s just the beginning.

Six Spaces, Endless Mixes

Need the whole building? Great. Only want one breakout room? Hey, that’s great too. Here’s a quick pass through each space so you can know what’s available.

The Top Floor & Gate Room

Capacity: 80 seated / 125-150 standing The crown jewel is our Gate Room. Its 340-year-old Chinese village gate table seats 32 (the room seats 50), and doubles as the coolest demo station you’ll ever book. A pull-down screen, projectors, flat screen gaming stations, hookup, gig-speed Wi-Fi, and furniture are part of the deal, and there are no food-and-drink minimums.

Webster Suite

Capacity: up to 16 Perfect for media junkets, board meetings, or a writers’ room. You get hours-based rental, a pull-down screen, fast internet, and comfy vintage furniture that is totally private.

Willy Suite

Capacity: up to 10

Small but mighty. Picture a design sprint or contract signing far from the GDC roar. Same tech perks as the Webster, plus quick catering add-ons.

Buddy Suite (Classroom)

Capacity: up to 45

Need a spot for hands-on training? This room brings a flat-screen monitor, projection screen, Wi-Fi, and space to spread out laptops or dev kits. In 2024 we had the Dune Awakenings press launch in this Suite!

The Pressroom & Mercantile

Capacity: 50 standing

Downstairs you’ll find over 150 antique cabinets loaded with more than 15 million pieces of printed ephemera dating back to 1600, plus antique letterpresses from as old as 1838. It’s a museum, store, and event center set all in one spectacular venue. Great for product-launch cocktails or influencer shoots that need visual flair.

The Sipping Room (Hidden Speakeasy)

Capacity: 8

Tucked behind two moving fireplaces, this basement gem makes VIP tastings or VIP meetings unforgettable. It’s an easy add-on to any upper-floor booking.

Tech When & Where You Need It

Every floor runs on gig-speed Wi-Fi and comes with screens or monitors, plus a full A/V build-out is on call. Your dev build will download in a snap, and livestreams won’t choke. Finally, freight elevator service means heavy gear rolls straight in with no un-navigatable hallways.

Food and Drink: The Easy Way

We partner with local caterers and can even bring in a full bar if you like. If you’d rather keep it light, snack baskets and coffee service can be arranged.

Two-Block Stroll from Moscone

Time is always tight during GDC. Walking from Moscone West to our front door takes about seven minutes, even less if you’re a fast walker. That means guests can duck out for a demo, press talk, or party, then head right back to sessions. No shuttles or surge-priced Ubers necessary.

Transit and Parking

Civic Center BART sits a short walk away, linking you to the East Bay and SFO. Interstate 80 and 280 ramps sit nearby for quick drop-offs, and paid garages dot the block. Your out-of-town crew will definitely thank you.

Service with Real Human Touch

Every booking includes a venue manager who handles load-in, tech checks, and vendor communications. You can focus on running your event while we get the job done behind the scenes.

Build-Your-Own GDC Schedule

Because our rooms rent by the hour or by the day, you can:

hold a morning press breakfast in the Gate Room
break for lunch in the area.
shift to afternoon one-on-ones in the Webster Suite
wrap with a speakeasy toast after the show floor closes

Need a late load-out or multi-day hold? We’ll make it work.

Extra Perks for GDC

This unique conference brings its own unique needs, and we’ve got you covered.

Filming friendly. High ceilings and concrete walls create ready-made backdrops for trailer shoots or dev-diary interviews.
Total privacy. Book a full buy-out and you control the door list, perfect for NDA demos.
Creative spark. That antique press collection and displays has inspired more than one art director to adjust key art on the spot.

FAQ

Have more questions? We’ve got answers.

Can we brand the space? Yes. Building branding on the entire ground floor or the front of the building is offered, project logos, swap table signage, standees or pop up signage is common here, along with projected logos and uplighting...

Is there gear storage overnight? Yes. Secure rooms keep rigs safe between days.

Do you handle tickets? If you need RSVP tracking or door staff, let us know. We work with trusted partners.

Ready to lock in your slot?

GDC week fills early, so reach out as soon as your sessions go live. Tell us your headcount, time frame, and any special tech or menu needs. We’ll send a quote and floor plan within one business day.

Skip the basic ballroom and give your guests a taste of real San Francisco history without losing sight of Moscone.

We look forward to hosting your next big GDC moment at The Box SF! Contact us today.