Over 10 years ago, soaring housing prices in Seattle made it difficult for many young families to afford spacious homes. Witnessing his friends gradually move away, Chad Dale, a real estate developer, began searching for a solution. "They wanted to stay, but Seattle was too expensive", Dale stated.

To maintain their bond, Dale invited his friends to pool money and purchase a vacation home on Whidbey Island. However, five families with young children sharing a home with 4 bedrooms and one bathroom quickly led to inconveniences. "This was only ideal in theory; it wasn't sustainable in practice", Dale recounted.

From that experience, Dale explored the co-housing model, where residents own private homes but share amenities. Dale and his wife then invited 13 friends to invest in building the Shared Roof project in Seattle's Phinney Ridge neighborhood.

An overview of the 5-story apartment building. Photo: Fastcompany

The building features 5 stories and 35 apartments, ranging from 46 to 185 square meters. Each family selected their own size and layout, ensuring no two units are identical. A unique aspect of the project is that residents are also shareholders in the company owning the building. Initial investments ranged from 50,000 USD to millions of USD. Currently, 9 investors reside there, with the remaining units available for rent, including 20% designated for middle-income individuals.

From the outset, the founding group agreed to create spaces that encourage daily interaction among residents. The building includes a dining area and a rooftop greenhouse, a soundproof room for children's music lessons, a library, a gym, and a large lawn. Residents also share many assets, such as repair tools and electric bicycles, and plan to collectively purchase a pickup truck.

John Ware, one of the first residents, shared that he previously lived in a 90-unit apartment complex but only knew one-third of his neighbors. Here, he knows everyone by sight. "Every long trip ends, and I just want to come back home", Ware said.

The rooftop garden of the friends' apartment building in Seattle. Photo: BI

For Dale, the greatest value lies in the multi-generational environment. His son can play with peers and interact with older neighbors living in the same building. "The kids get home, drop their bags, and run off because all their friends are right here", he recounted.

Mary Jo Wagner, a resident who moved in through the program for middle-income individuals, stated that while her private living space is small, she has access to all common amenities and a place to host guests. "It feels like I'm living in a large family", she commented.

Chad Dale and his wife. Photo: BI

Dale noted that many still prioritize owning detached homes, but apartment living, when properly designed, can ensure comfort. "If you want to socialize, there's always someone around. If something breaks, there's a manager. This is one of the best ways of living I have ever experienced", Dale said.

By Bao Nhien (According to Fastcompany, BI)