Lucasfilm (Original Computer Division) in San Anselmo - Celebrity Points Of Interest

As George Lucas was creating Empire Strikes Back, he moved a handful of computer scientists into an old laundromat he had purchased, and set it up for them to do some research into computers and filmmaking. Led by Ed Catmull, this was the original “computer division” of Lucasfilm, a group that went on to become Pixar.

From “Droidmaker”:

“Lucasfilm had been remodeling its other commercial property for them in downtown San Anselmo, a short walk from the little apartment. An old laundromat, it was located on Tunstead Avenue, across Sir Francis Drake Blvd., behind the ever-popular Ludwig’s Liquor & Smoke Shop. The space needed a fair amount of renovation to turn it into offices…

“As the cool snap of fall descended on Marin, the computer guys were ready to move into their own place at Tunstead. Walls had been inserted into the laundromat to make offices, and Lucasfilm installed beautiful worn oak desks (acquired from the public school district) topped with brass desk lamps (of hunter green glass); everything was beginning to be purchased in quantity. Still, they had but one typewriter and, oddly enough, no computers.
Although the space had been customized for the growing computer team, it was still an interim solution. It wasn’t nearly big enough, and it was poorly laid out. For instance, Ralph had to walk through Alvy’s office to get to his own space. The bathroom was nestled between Ralph’s space and Andy Moorer’s, and had two doors. “You had to hold both doors shut when you were in there,” said Moorer, “and you couldn’t leave some offices if the bathroom was occupied.”
According to Susan Anderson, “It was a maze. Honestly.”

(from “Droidmaker” by Michael Rubin; pg 198)