ADU in Alameda HOA Adds Flexible Space for the Family

Back in 2009, a young family walked by an Alameda home that was on the market. They were enamored by its location in the family-friendly neighborhood and its proximity to the San Francisco Bay – but also that the property featured a large front yard. They immediately spotted an opportunity for an ADU. They purchased the home, hoping to build an ADU from the get-go. But because of legislative restrictions, doing so was prohibitively challenging.

Fast forward to 2021. California had recently passed statewide legislation removing restrictions on ADUs, making it significantly easier for homeowners to build a backyard home. The Alameda family hadn’t lost sight of their hope for an ADU in their front yard. After finding Cottage online, they were excited by our custom design process, and that we would support the project from start to finish. Cottage felt like the right team to take on the family’s ADU.

With two teenage sons, the family saw numerous possible use cases for their ADU. They envisioned their sons using the extra space to study and potentially live in down the line. The ADU would also serve as the perfect place to house visiting family and friends, and could also be rented out.

The ability to design a custom ADU was particularly important for this project. The property is located in an HOA – and as the neighborhood’s first ADU project, the family was entering into unknown territory when it came to navigating the process with the association. The Cottage team worked with the homeowner and the HOA through the entire process, ensuring the ADU design and specifications aligned with the requirements of the HOA. From the color of the ADU exterior to the design of the front entryway, Cottage’s designers made sure both the family and the HOA were happy with all aspects of the ADU.

The final product blends seamlessly with the architectural design of the neighborhood. Inside, the ADU is incredibly space efficient, and tastefully furnished by the family to make for a comfortable living and hangout space.

Building their ADU was easier than the family ever could have imagined when they first saw their house back in 2009. They were thrilled that Cottage was able to support them on every step of the process. On the other side of their ADU journey, the family couldn’t be happier with the final product and the additional space it provides them.

At Cottage, we believe in providing homeowners the best ADU experience possible. From feasibility, to design, permitting, and construction, we're here to guide you through each step of the journey.

Interested in building a similar attached or detached ADU, or converting an existing garage space? Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation & estimate for your ADU vision with one of our ADU experts!