• When will construction be complete?

    We moved into the first phase of residents moved into Weaving Water in the spring/summer of 2024. The second phase of homes are targeting completion in late 2025 .

    What amenities will Weaving Water have?

    In addition to the common house, we are also planning for ornamental gardens, vegetable gardens, and fruit trees. We will have a workshop and group storage spaces. Members are currently collaborating to determine more details around these.

    How is the construction being financed?

    We have a backing investor, but in order to finance the construction loan for the community, residents will be expected to contribute 10-35% of their home price. Contact us to get specific details on the financial contribution schedule. If you currently own a home and plan to use part or all of the down payment on your current home to finance your home at Weaving Water, please talk with our Finance & Legal committee about possible financing options. Our investor can help allow you to be part of Weaving Water’s development process.

    What’s the deal with the common house?

    It will include large entertainment spaces, a professional kitchen, activity spaces, coworking spaces, and guest rooms available for both community and personal use. It will be built in Phase 2 or shortly thereafter (projected in 2026). All households contribute to and own a portion of the common house.

    Where’s the site and how much land is there?

    We’re 10 minutes from downtown Durham and adjacent to Eno River State Park with access to trails for endless hours of exploration and communion with nature. Our total land area is 21 acres. By joining the community, you will be a joint owner of this land, and your investment in it will protect much of it as a natural site and against further development.

    How were the homes designed?

    We hired architects to design beautiful homes. Typically, developers haphazardly place a house plan on an available lot rather than designing a home for the specific location. Our architects designed with a focus on solar orientation, beautiful views, natural lighting, intentional community, and on making the homes’ interior spaces feel larger than their actual footprints.

    Will I be able to hear my neighbor?

    Although these units are duplexes, they are intentionally designed with several soundproofing measures in place. We interviewed members and tested similar setups at other cohousing communities and found that the vast majority of noises did not carry through to neighbors.

    How about accessibility?

    Weaving Water property, and our Common House, will be ADA compliant, and the first floor units can be converted to be ADA compliant if households choose. The parking and at least one walkway from every building to the parking and Common House will meet ADA regulations. The second floor units will not be ADA compliant as they will only be accessible via stairs.

    For the ADA-compliant first floor units, we would install any needed ramps to access the landing. Currently, without adjustments, the units' doorways to the entry and master bedroom and bath are 3'-0" and the master shower has a low threshold. Although the counters etc were not designed to be at wheelchair height they can be replaced with low counters.

    Additional ADA changes to units can be made to accommodate specific needs in the second phase of construction.

    What are the area schools?

    The zoned public schools for Weaving Water are:

    • Hillandale Elementary (Easley Elementary for year-round: must apply to lottery)

    • Brogden Middle (The School for Creative Studies for year-round: must apply to lottery)

    • Riverside High

    In addition, Durham has many magnet schools. Students must enter a lottery to attend them. There are also many outstanding private schools in the area.

  • What type of people live in cohousing communities?

    Cohousing residents tend to think outside the box and have a creative outlook. They also typically value environmental stewardship. Many are academics, scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, engineers, teachers and mental-health professionals. A recent national survey showed that 60% of cohousing residents have graduate degrees and about 75% are introverts.

    Are there local examples of cohousing communities in Durham?

    We are lucky to have several cohousing communities in the Durham area. Eno Commons, Durham Central Park Cohousing and Pacifica inspired Weaving Water in different ways. Solterra, Elderberry and Arcadia are also close by. Two other communities are currently developing in Durham. Village Hearth is an ages 55 plus community with rural/suburban feel. Bull City Commons will be a multi-generational condo community with an urban feel near the corner of Hillsborough Rd and Trent Dr.

    How does pricing work?

    People who consider co-housing are often discouraged by the home prices. While it is true that co-housing is often more expensive per square foot than the local real estate market, comparing a home in a cohousing community and a house on the common market is like comparing apples to oranges. First, new homes have a higher value than older homes since they are built to newer energy-efficiency and safety standards and haven’t aged. In addition, Weaving Water homes have special features beyond those of a typical new home. When looking at the purchase prices for Weaving Water, consider in your price the land, common house, architectural designs, and other shared resources.