OpenAI and Elon Musk called this S.F. building home, now Exa moves in

August 18, 2026 - 09:04

The Mission District building with a heavy Silicon Valley pedigree has a new tenant. Exa, a startup focused on AI-powered search, has moved into the full structure, a space that previously served as the home base for both OpenAI and, at different times, Elon Musk's ventures.

The building, located in the heart of San Francisco's Mission District, has seen its share of tech history. OpenAI operated there in its early days, and Musk's companies also used the space for various projects. Now, Exa is taking over the entire footprint, marking a significant expansion for the young company. The move gives Exa room to grow its team and scale its operations, which aim to build a new kind of internet search index designed specifically for AI models.

For Exa, the location is more than just office space. It is a statement about staying grounded in the city's dense tech ecosystem. The company says it plans to use the extra room to host community events and collaborate with other AI researchers. The building's past occupants set a high bar for innovation, and Exa appears ready to write its own chapter in that same space. The lease was finalized last week, and employees are already settling into the new offices.