About Us

Community in Living Room

We are a unique, small community, located on 2.5 acres of land, partly wooded, just outside Minneapolis. We value diversity, and have varying incomes. Our 15 households currently include ages 13 through 68, singles couples, both with and without children.

Occupations include computer programmers, artists, teachers, therapists, caregivers, scientists and more. We follow diverse spiritual and secular paths; among our traditions are driving each other to the airport and ER, parties and other social events which have included singalongs, games, house concerts, benefit auction, solstice celebration, etc.

Community meals and ‘co-chats’ (spontaneous conversations) are the glue that hold the community together. Community spaces in the Big House like the living room pictured at left are places both for official community meetings as well as casual or impromptu get-togethers. Our shared mail room and community bulletin board is a nexus of the community.  Maintaining our 1924 building (part Common House, part residences) also gives opportunities to work together.

Living in Community

The Big House in Winter

The community also has an abundance of interior common space in the 1924 Edwardian mansion (the Big House), with new kitchen, 3-season porch with a gas fireplace, elevator, 3 wood-burning fireplaces in the living room, community dining room, and library/media room. ,  a workshop, a laundry room, a children’s playroom, and an office.

Homes include eight retrofit coop apartments in the Big House which range from around 480 sq. feet to 1500 sq. feet  and seven newly constructed townhouses, connected by underground walkway, and range

Town Homes

from 400-1600 sq.feet. Central courtyard and play area are separated from the driveway and the parking areas and the large front lawn, which includes a community garden and picnic area.

The grounds near the homes feature a wooded hillside backed by a park, a central courtyard, a shared vegetable garden, and a large front yard. These “exterior rooms” are lovingly landscaped by members of the community. With this abundance of green spaces, we often see wildlife. (View grounds photos)

Our community grows from working together and shared experience.