WE ARE MOVED IN! After many delays, we are now happily ensconced in our building outside Malden Square. Community is more important now than ever, and we remain a strong source of support for each other in these trying times. Although all 30 units are currently occupied, we encourage those interested in us to reach out, join our interested persons email list, and get involved now. These people will be first to know when a unit becomes available for purchase.
Watch this space for news of our May open house.
What is Bay State Cohousing?
We are residents of Greater Boston and beyond who gathered together as a cohousing community. Working as our own developer, we hired architects French/2D and Neshamkin French to design a three-story building with 30 studio-to-three bedroom units near the center of Malden at 368 Pleasant Street.
Most of us didn’t know each other initially, but as we worked together through the development process, we built relationships before construction and move-in.
As families, couples, and singles, we represent four generations. We have a wide variety of interests, which include cooking, gardening, making music, and just spending time together. Some of us work, some are in school, and some are retired.
We value neighborliness, good communication, and thoughtfulness. It is important to us to have the support of our neighbors when the need arises and to have the opportunity to age in place. We are becoming part of the greater Malden community.
In addition to private units, our property has 5,000 square feet of expanded common spaces, including a meeting rooms, coworking space, entertainment room, woodshop, yoga/workout studio, kids’ playroom, arts room, music room, social room/pub, great room and large common kitchen and dining area for occasional shared meals. There are outdoor decks on each floor and a courtyard with green space for gardening and other outdoor activities.
What is Cohousing?
Cohousing is a method of designing new neighborhoods that began in Scandinavia in the 1970s. There are now about 130 communities in the United States and another 100 under construction. We are organized as a condominium with private living spaces and multiple common spaces designed to encourage interaction. Like other cohousing communities, we have expanded common spaces to include shared music and art rooms, children’s indoor and outdoor play areas, a workshop and exercise room, and a “great room.” The great room is a community gathering place for meetings, social events, and hanging out. In addition, it will include a large kitchen so we can cook and eat together for occasional brunches, pot lucks, and dinners.
To learn more about cohousing see our FAQ and this Infographic.
