For Appointments:

How many units are there?

Washington Village will have 38 units total, 36 residential and 2 commercial.  Currently, 20 units have been transferred to owners, with four more scheduled to close by the Fall of 2016. 

What types of units are still available?

Currently, all of our "ready-to-move-in" homes are sold.  Only 5 of 12 flats remain available in the Broadway building, which is expected to break ground the Summer of 2016 for a projected completion in late 2017.  The available residential units range in size from 1100 sq. ft. to 1480 sq. ft.  Each unit has a main-floor master bedroom and a private kitchen, dining, and living room, with an assigned space in the underground parking structure.  This building will also include 2 commercial units (1250 sq. ft. and 1350 sq. ft.) that are zoned for light business. 

For more information on availability, you can email Barb Silverman or call (303)886-5329. 

What are the common amenities?

Washington Village currently offers:

• beautifully landscaped grounds throughout the 3-acre property

• a guest suite with private bath

• a conversational sitting area around a central fireplace

• a fully-equipped woodshop/bike repair shop

• a creative arts studio

• a library

• a meditation/contemplative space

• a flexible meeting space/gallery with a TV for movie nights

• one shared laundry room

When the project is finished, the Broadway building will have additional amenities including:

• a large, group kitchen and dining room with the capacity for community meals and meetings

• a large patio area with outdoor cooking space

• another family-sized guest suite with private bath

• 2 more conversational/sitting areas, one with a fireplace

• a multi-purpose room for exercise classes or childcare

• another shared laundry room

In addition to having these spaces available for community use, members have been discussing ideas for using these spaces to engage the larger Old North Boulder community in art activities, seminars and community pot-luck dinners.  

How is Washington Village different from a typical condominium association?

In many ways, Washington Village will function just like any other condominium development.  It has a homeowner's association, shared grounds and common facilities.  But unlike typical condominium associations, members buy into the association with a strong interest in building a sense of community among fellow residents.  By giving careful consideration to the placement of common space and facilities within the development, Washington Village is designed to maximize opportunities for neighbors to cross paths throughout the day, which makes it easier to keep in touch and make plans for getting together.  Also, rather than handing over all operational responsibility to a single Board of Directors, Washington Village residents have more involvement in running the community, either by serving on one of the management teams, or by assuming responsibility for a job, such as coordinating bus passes.  Governance is coordinated through a Steering Team, which is composed of representatives from other teams.  

What are the benefits of cohousing?

Cohousing communities, like Washington Village, are structured (physically and socially) in a way that makes it easy to build meaningful relationships with your neighbors, which explains why cohousing communities typically have a low turnover rate.

In today's busy world, connecting with friends always seems to start with the challenge of finding a mutually available calendar date, which is often weeks in the future.  Cohousing residents connect with each other regularly at community meals, or whenever they're sitting around the common fireplace, or working in the woodshop, art room, or community garden.  Residents might encounter each other on a garden pathway and decide to walk downtown for some fun.  In cohousing, connecting with neighbors doesn't have to be scheduled.  It just happens.

Cohousing relationships are also strengthened when people work together.  Washington Village residents will work together on planning social activities, and making decisions about how we want to run the community, and how funds are spent to maintain and improve the property.  Some might decide to work together on special projects, like cultivating a community garden, or building a play structure. 

How is Washington Village different from other cohousing communities?

Washington Village does not require the level of commitment to physical labor that is often required by many cohousing communities.  Because of our prime real estate location, the market value of Washington Village units are significantly higher than most cohousing developments.  At this price point, unit owners are reluctant to have property maintenance depend on volunteer labor.  Therefore, our budget includes funds for a property manager and contracting essential maintenance services, such as landscaping, snow removal, and regular common house cleaning.

Also, the Washington Village Participation Agreement allows for more flexibility in participation expectations than is typically associated with cohousing communities.  Community members can contribute to the community as a member of a team, or by assuming responsibility for an individual role within the community, depending on what suits their ability, interest and scheduled.  

What does LEED certified mean?

LEED is an acronym for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ certification.  It designates environmentally responsible - sometimes referred to as "green" or "sustainable" - buildings designed, built and operated to optimally use the building location, minimize non-renewable energy use, reduce water consumption, while offering healthy settings in which to work and live.  Washington Village is proud to have achieved LEED Silver Certification, which recognizes the environmentally sound building practices in use, but also the advantages of being in a location that makes it easy to walk, bike, or take public transportation to get to local businesses and services.