Texas’ first cohousing residential community breaks ground in East End Houston

A new residential community concept will break ground in East End Houston on Jan. 21, 2022. The multimillion-dollar cohousing project is the first of its kind in Texas and will serve as an interactive livable space for neighbors in a sustainable environment.

A cohousing community is intended to provide its residents unique benefits such as fostering a sense of belonging by sharing a common purpose. Isolation is minimized through a physical and social design that naturally facilitates community interactions. Residents may also share the cost of everyday living expenses such as transportation, groceries, and internet usage.

The residential community will be built in a 1.5-acre lot and comprise 33 one, two-, three-, and four-bedroom units. The units will have street-facing entrances and porches to integrate with the existing sidewalks and streets in the area.

Other cohousing aspects will include community gardens, workshops, outdoor dining areas, and a 4,000+-sf Common House where residents can gather for for community dinners, meetings, celebrations, and other happenings that build relationships. The design will also include sustainability elements such as geothermal heat exchange, solar readiness, and healthy building materials.

Development Partners include:

• Kathleen English, Architect, English and Associates. Houston-based architecture firm specializing in municipal and civic projects focused on sustainability.
• David Kelley, Partner, Troon Development. Houston-based developer with experience in diverse industries, including multi-family. 
• Kathryn McCamant, President, CoHousing Solutions. Architect and cohousing consultant, coauthor of the authoritative book on cohousing, Cohousing: A Contemporary Approach to Housing Ourselves, introduced this housing model to North America.
• Bryan Bowen, Architect, Caddis PC. Boulder-based architecture firm with an extensive background in building cohousing communities.