Boomers From Around the Nation (and the World) Building Community in Oakland

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As the first senior cohousing community in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix Commons is attracting members from other parts of California, the United States, and even from overseas! Most of them are planning to relocate to the Bay Area in order to be closer to family; all of them are drawn to Phoenix Commons for its unique community culture, state-of-the-art design and convenient, walkable location.

Those of you who have been following Phoenix Commons know about our commitment to education and conscious aging. All community members complete the Aging Boldly in Community (ABC) workshop series presented by our nonprofit partner, Elders Village. Now, thanks to the marvels of modern technology, they can attend the workshops virtually via webcam!

Our first virtual ABC workshop was held yesterday and was a huge success. Participants joined in from Southern California, the Sierras, the East Coast, and even the Middle East! Much of the discussion focused on the demographics of our aging society and the changing nature of retirement. (For an excellent, 5-minute video exploring the implications of an aging society, check out Coming of Age in Aging America.)

It is so inspiring to see Baby Boomers embrace their “Third Age” and join together intentionally to create an environment that will support their independence and social connection in the coming years. The senior cohousing movement is still in its infancy in the United States, but it is growing rapidly and it’s exciting to be at the forefront!

Construction Update: April 17, 2015

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Describing a building under construction is a bit like the proverbial elephant and the blind men: what you describe varies greatly depending on your perspective! The inner courtyard, for example, currently the focus of much of the construction activity, reminds one of a jungle: loud, stimulating, and a bit hazardous! (Pic. 1). Walk downstairs to the ground floor common areas and you might feel as if you are in a spaceship, the steel supports joining forces with concrete walls to hold up the homes above (Pic. 2). Finally, look up from the waterfront patio and the scaffolding looks like a classic galley ship, sailing towards the promise of aging in community (Pic 3).

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Phoenix Commons in the News!

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It was a nice surprise to find Phoenix Commons mentioned in the Oakland Tribune last week, with an unsolicited mention in an article about an unrelated assisted living facility in Alameda:

The upcoming completion of Oakmont of Mariner Point comes as work is also underway on Phoenix Commons, a $21 million housing project by Elder Village Development near the Park Street Bridge on the Oakland side of the estuary.

The 41-condominium project at 340 29th Ave. is aimed at seniors who want the privacy of living in their own home and a co-housing lifestyle, such as through a communal kitchen and other shared amenities. The four-story building in Oakland’s Jingletown neighborhood will have one- and two-bedroom units at prices that are expected to range from $350,000 to $560,000. [Correction: the top end of the price range is $705,000. -KT]

Elder Village Development is a part of Alameda Elder Communities, which has been providing senior housing and skilled nursing facilities for more than 40 years in the Bay Area. Its facilities include the Elders Inn and the Waters Edge Lodge in Alameda. Phoenix Commons is being built on the former site of Tiki Tom’s, a waterfront restaurant and bar that burned down in October 2010.

Comparing a senior housing community like Phoenix Commons to assisted living is like comparing apples to oranges. Yet we’re grateful for the publicity, as well as the opportunity to educate more Boomers on the tremendous benefits of aging in an intentional community. Most folks end up in an expensive, institutional assisted living environment because they lack an effective support system at home. Our members will enjoy many years of independence in their new homes, precisely because they’ll be in a supportive and age-appropriate environment with compassionate neighbors/friends – and have a lot more fun in the process!

Construction Update: April 8, 2015

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A little bit of rain did not dampen the mood at the Phoenix Commons construction site, where crews are continuing to work on the wood framing and walkways (Pic. 1). The waterfront facade of the building towers over the estuary, creating an impressive presence (Pic. 2). The new walkways criss-cross the inner courtyard area, connecting the upper floors of the building (Pic. 3).

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Construction Update: March 31, 2015

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The modern and functional design of Phoenix Commons is readily apparent, even when covered by a layer of scaffolding  (Pic. 1). Community life will be centered around the ground floor and inner courtyard, where the walkways are coming along according to schedule (Pic. 2). Fourth floor units will enjoy breathtaking views of the estuary, San Francisco and Oakland (Pic. 3).

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Construction Update: March 24, 2015

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The fourth floor framing is coming along at a good pace, keeping the Gradall lift busy at all times (Pic. 1). The condo units and common patios facing Glascock Ave. will have front row seats to Jingletown’s many murals and unique artistic displays (Pic. 2). The inner courtyard, currently resembling a trapeze artist’s paradise, will soon be adorned with lovely wooden walkways (Pic. 3).

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Meet the Members: Robby

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The newest episode in our “Meet the Members” video series features one of our founding members, Robby K. Although she is retired and has family commitments, Robby leads a very active lifestyle by volunteering, engaging in ongoing education, and providing leadership on various nonprofit boards.

Watch Robby’s video on YouTube

Like all our members, Robby is a model of active, conscious aging and exemplifies the following quote by William Jennings Bryan:

“None so little enjoy themselves, and are such burdens to themselves, as those who have nothing to do. Only the active have the true relish of life.”

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(Photo: Phoenix Commons members in front of their new home, en route to neighboring art galleries participating in Oakland’s Second Friday Artwalk)

Construction Update: March 13, 2015

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The phoenix is truly rising, as crews are now framing the fourth floor condo units at the Phoenix Commons construction site (Pic. 1). The steel support columns have been pressed into service, holding up the wooden catwalks that will connect private homes on the third and fourth floors (Pic. 2). The fourth floor common patio will enjoy expansive views of the Oakland/Berkeley hills, as well as two gigantic palm trees! (Pic. 3).

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Construction Update: March 6, 2015

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With safety in mind, crews have been installing solid steel pillars to hold up wooden catwalks (Pic. 1). Being in a busy urban environment means that construction occasionally stops traffic, both vehicle and pedestrian; most folks are patient and even enjoy watching the work in progress (Pic. 2). Our corner on Glascock Ave. can be a bit hazardous with so much building materials and machinery temporarily calling it home, but as that pile goes down, our building goes up! (Pic. 3)

For more photos, you can follow us on Facebook and Google+!

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Construction Update: February 27, 2015

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It’s full steam ahead at the Phoenix Commons construction site, where the wood framing is almost complete for the third floor! (Pic. 1). The northwestern face of the building, which will enjoy beautiful summer sunsets over San Francisco, can be seen here hiding behind a wall of scaffolding (Pic. 2). Southwest-facing units will enjoy views of the tranquil estuary and neighboring Alameda (Pic. 3).

For more photos, you can follow us on Facebook and Google+!

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