Cohousing Directory - Community View

Formed:
1990
Established:
1992
Doyle Street
Emeryville
,
California
,
United States
Contact:
Doyle Street
5514 Doyle St
Emeryville, California 94608 United States
Address Status:
Good as of 8/21/2008
adamevelyn [at] sbcglobal [dot] net

Doyle Street is a small urban cohousing community, with 12 units plus a common house. All units (condominiums) are currently owner-occupied. Units recently sold at $435,000 - $560,000.

The group formed in 1990. Project completed and first occupied in spring 1992. It was designed and (until a few years ago) occupied by architects Chuck Durrett and Katie McCamant, founders of the cohousing movement in the United States; this was the second cohousing development built in the U.S.

The complex consists of two buildings. Six units and a common house are retrofitted into a brick industrial building, while three townhouse units make up an all-new building. Together they form an "L"-shape around the parking lot and courtyard, which includes a garden, children's play area, and facilities for dining outside when it's warm. A large iron gates in the courtyard can be swung out into the parking area creating a larger enclosed play or party area; this is often done on weekends.

As of August 2009, no units are for sale or rent, but please see http://www.cohousing.org/ for the most current notice of when a unit is available.

Community Affiliations:
Network Affiliations:
Coho/US
Last Updated:
8/19/2009
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process:
Visit us by signing up for a tour through the Cohousing Association of the United States: http://www.cohousing.org/. If this is not workable, contact Adam at adamevelyn@sbcglobal.net to try to work out an alternative.
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Completed
Year Completed:
1992
Area:
0.3 acres (0.1 hectares)
Number of Units:
12
Population
Members:
19
Non-Member Residents:
Open to new members:
Yes
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
No
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Labor Contribution:
Expected (12 hours of work days per year)
Join Fee:
No
Regular Fees:
Yes (Regular condo fees, plus occasional special assessments for unanticipated expenses like roof repairs.)
Land and Buildings
Community:
Urban
Land Owners:
The community
No. of Residences:
2 (12 units total in two adjoining buildings)
Food, Etc.
% Food Grown:
1-5% (some herbs grown in garden used for community meals; some families belong to community gardens in neighborhood and grow food for their own use there.)
Shared Meals:
2-5 times/week (Three to be precise; Tuesdays, Sundays and alternating Thursdays and Fridays)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous (Cooks of common meals can cook what they wish so meat and fish are often on the menu, but usually a vegetarian and/or vegan option is offered. We generally avoid trans-fats and often use organic ingredients. In sum, the food is pretty yummy here because the communal meals are one of the most important factors that bond us.)
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally (The wine club is popular. Cost of wine consumed at meals is reconciled quarterly.)
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used (smoking is not permitted in common areas by local ordinance)
Social Factors
Common Spiritual Practices:
No
Which Spiritual Traditions:
Other
Educational Style(s):
Private school off the property (Some kids attend private schools including the tri-lingual grade school across the street. Others attend our local public schools and one resident is on the school board. A high quality city run child development center has been well utilized and is nearby. A bunch of kids attend gymnastics, martial arts and music lessons, all available in the neighborhood.)
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Current Editor(s): cohousing, doylestreet
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