Swan's Market Cohousing :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1995 Established: 2000

This page last updated:2/10/2012

Swan's Market Cohousing

Oakland, California,

United States

(Old Oakland neighborhood, downtown)

North America’s 50th Cohousing Community is preserved in the 1917 Swan's Market building in the historic Old Oakland neighborhood. We are the most urban cohousing community in North America; two blocks from a major subway hub; 12 minutes from downtown San Francisco.

Swan's Market is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is an award-winning innovative mixed-used historic-preservation project, restoring an abandoned old market building. In addition to our cohousing community, Swan's Market includes affordable rental apartments, retail stores, restaurants, professional offices, and the Museum of Children’s Art.

The building is restored with the original glazed brick/ceramic tile exterior preserved and steel beams exposed.

Website: http://www.swansway.com/

Contact:

Swan's Market Cohousing
Oakland, California United States
Phone: Joani Blank (510.834.7399)

View Map of Locations
for this Community

Former/Other Names: Old Oakland Cohousing.

This page last updated:2/10/2012

Visitors Accepted

(by prearrangement)

Visitor Process: If you are interested in a tour of our community, we would be glad to show you around and tell you about this unique project. You are also welcome to join us for one of our community dinners which are every Tuesday and Thursday and on alternating Sundays and Mondays. We have a small guest room in our common house which we reserve for our friends and family, and for residents of other cohousing communities. Guests are asked for a small donation. ----- Please click the "Email This Community" button above to communicate with us and one of our hosts will get help coordinate your visit.

Network Affiliations:

Coho/US

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 32 Open to new members: Yes (through resale and very occasional rental)	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (common meal preparation, regular work days, ongoing maintenance tasks and and committee meetings.) Join Fee: No (unit purchase prices $300k and up; rarely available) Regular Fees: Yes (Homeowners dues $240-$370/mo.)
Land and Buildings Urban (the most urban cohousing community in America; a block from major subway hub; 12 minutes from downtown SF) Area: 0.3 acres (0.1 hectares) (mostly air rights in historic market) Land Owned By: The community (condomium structure) Number of Residences: 20 (units and common house within existing historic structure) Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: none Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual (All meals include vegetarian option.) Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Tobacco Use: Seldom used (No smoking in public areas of property, including outdoors, because of proximity to unit windows.)	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No Educational Style(s): Public schooled

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Completed

Year Completed:

2000

Number of Units:

Square Feet in Common House:

3458

(includes dining room, kitchen, sitting area, kid's room, guestroom, bathrooms, workshop, laundry room, exercise room, storage, central heating and hot water systems.)

Architect:

Michael Pyatok & Assoc., Peter Waller

Developer:

East Bay Asian Local Development Co. (EBALDC) (nonprofit)

Commercial Lender:

Wells Fargo among six lenders on the overall project

Click an image to see it full size.

Become an Editor Current editor(s): cohousing, neil, joani

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