(Bloomberg Businessweek) -- Last year, Joan Bailey, now 86, had a stroke and was sent to a rehabilitation facility. “All I could think was, if I just get back to co-housing, I’ll be fine,” she says. For the past 21 years, Bailey has lived in a multigenerational community in Portland, Ore. “It’s why I’m still alive. I find it to be very stimulating and interesting to have all the different ages around.”
A 2018 Columbia University study found that healthy adults who reside in multigenerational housing live longer. And a Pew Research Center analysis last year found that Americans are increasingly residing multigenerationally—20% of Americans live in a home that includes adults from two or more generations, up from 12% in 1980. Developers have taken note. “Multigenerational housing is becoming more common, though it’s still essentially in a startup phase,” says Andrew Carle, adjunct faculty for Georgetown’s program in senior living administration. “It’s because baby boomers all want the same three things: active, intellectually stimulating, and intergenerational.”
University-Based
Mirabella at Arizona State University | Tempe; scheduled to open in 2020
Residence in this 20-story glass tower comes with an ID card for class and library access, plus the chance to engage with a 50,000-strong student body. The development, a nonprofit set up by ASU and an operator of retirement communities, was built on university land. Its swift success—90% of the units have already sold—has stirred much discussion and led to copycats at colleges and universities throughout the country.Features● 304 apartments● 4 restaurants● Suites for future private nursing, assisted living, and memory careRequirements● 62+● Healthy, independentPrice● $350,000 to $1 million● $4,000 to $5,500 for monthly maintenance● $1,000 to be put on waitlist
Mixed-Use
Kampung Admiralty | Singapore
Public elderly housing in a complex that includes a 220-child day-care center, dining hall, supermarket, and health center. The setup encourages intergenerational activities and bustle. Seven government agencies are behind the development, including Singapore’s housing, health, parks, and transportation departments.Features● 100 small units (380 to 480 sq. ft.)● Winner, 2018 World Architecture Festival’s building of the year● 500-unit bike-share hub● Roof gardens, which expand the already extensive green space of the propertyRequirements● 55+Price● $90,000 to $115,000
Co-Housing
Trillium Hollow | Portland, Ore.
Set on 4 acres just outside the city limits, this community has residents ranging in age from 3 to 87. With no management company, members run the homeowners association, facilities, gardens, and meal program. All decisions are by consensus.Features● 29 private condos (studios to 4-bedrooms)● 3-story common house, creek, community gardenRequirements● 6 hours a month of community workPrice● $175,000 to $368,000
To contact the author of this story: Arianne Cohen in New York at arianne@gmail.com
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Dimitra Kessenides at dkessenides1@bloomberg.net, Eric Gelman
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