At Lucasfilm’s San Francisco HQ, there is a hidden door that leads to something no visitor expects. Tucked behind a giant Imperial propaganda poster is the Rebel Hideout, a Star Wars-themed employee lounge made by and for the people who bring the galaxy to life.
It is a real place where Lucasfilm and ILM staff can take a break, grab a snack, or meet up, right in the heart of a fictional universe they helped build.
The Rebel Hideout is a fully immersive, detailed, and alive experience. It feels like a Rebel safe house inside an Imperial base because that is exactly how it was designed.
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With Pablo Hidalgo helping craft the backstory, the lounge lives in-universe as a secret Rebel outpost buried inside the Empire’s Logistics, Deployment, and Allotment Center on the planet Yerbana.
Inside, the mood shifts. It is dimly lit, packed with Star Wars props, and buzzing with energy. The furniture and equipment appear to have been pulled straight off a set. Some actually were. There is a tech station from Lando’s version of the Millennium Falcon. A command chair from a Hammerhead Corvette. Even Babu Frik’s messy little workbench. Every piece feels lived-in and layered with history.
Where Did the Idea Come From?
The idea started small. Back in 2013, employees like Mike Jutan and Michael DiComo floated the idea of a Mos Eisley Cantina-style break room. But between office space issues, busy schedules, and eventually a pandemic, the idea kept getting shelved. Still, they didn’t drop it.
@figurebrain / Instagram / The magic starts at the entrance. A massive Imperial poster swings open like a hidden door, revealing the hideout.
A decade later, when a room opened up during office renovations, they pitched a new concept: a hidden Rebel base disguised inside an Imperial facility. This time, it stuck.
That is when things took a serious turn. The Lucasfilm archivist offered the team access to real props and set pieces from productions like “Rogue One,” “Solo,” “The Rise of Skywalker,” and “Andor.” Suddenly, this wasn’t just a fun lounge. It was a living archive, built with pieces of Star Wars history. The Hideout became a mash-up of story, fandom, and legit film production.
A lot of places might have stopped at a cool theme and a few posters. Not this crew. The team handled everything - from concept to build. Lighting, carpentry, tech setup, and even writing in-universe signs and labels. They poured their own time and creativity into the space. It is full of Easter eggs and tiny details that only true fans would notice.
The Rebel Hideout Is Functional
@figurebrain / Instagram / One of the best things about the Rebel Hideout is that it is not for show. It is functional. Employees use it to eat lunch, hold casual meetings, or listen to records on the retro stereo system.
It is more of a place to recharge, connect, and just be. It feels both grounded and otherworldly. That balance is tough to pull off, but they nailed it.
The build wasn’t just about props and paint. It was about culture. Michael DiComo summed it up best: “The fact that this is employee-created is the most joyous part of the entire thing.” There was no corporate checklist or design firm running the show. It was ILM and Lucasfilm folks asking, “What do you need me to do?” and just doing it. That spirit shaped every inch of the space.
Former Lucasfilm GM Lynwen Brennan told the team to “dream big.” That support made it possible to push further, think bigger, and create something that feels completely original, even in a company full of world-class creatives.
