A new type of cottage community called “Posh Pockets” is coming to Clark County next year, allowing homeowners to experience a smaller high-quality home in a more tight-knit communal living development.
The future 24 homes will rise on a 2.37 acre strip of land at 5708 N.E. 119th St., in the Barberton area north of Vancouver, with a winding path through the center of the property. The development aims to be done in 18 months, and it broke ground last week.
Prices for the homes will be between $589,000 for a 900-square-foot home and $629,000 for a 1,300-square-foot home in the development called The Mana. Prices are changing with the real estate market in flux, but the general public will have access to the presales on June 13 at poshpocketsnw.com.
The idea came from partners Christy Buchanan and Nikki White, who have been in real estate for over 20 years in Vancouver.
“Over the years, we’ve heard people say they want something that they can downsize into but not give up quality; a communal feeling but not condominium,” White said.
Through about 10 years of research, the duo visited similar communities in Seattle, where the cottage homes have gained in popularity. In Seattle, the cottages that White and Buchanan saw were more beachy cottage, white picket fence homes, but the duo is bringing the idea to Vancouver with a contemporary-rustic look after listening to their customers.
“Our goal is to have a community feel,” White said. “But still have very private spaces, too.
The homes will be built with higher-than-average quality materials that have a modern look to them, according to White. Vertical cedar siding and floor-to-ceiling windows are some of the features of the homes.
The zoning falls under Clark County’s cottage housing, 40.260.073 in the county charter. The main idea is to “promote sustainable development practices through smaller, more efficient housing and effective use of residential land, according to the code.
SWB Real Estate Group at Knipe Realty ERA Powered, owned by White, Buchanan, and Chauntel Sullivan, is representing all the sales in the neighborhood.
White and Buchanan bought the property in 2019 for $440,000 through Posh Pockets NW LLC. Architect Laurie Simpson, designer Anjali Miller, and builder Stacy Self are also involved with the development, according to a news release about the development.
The duo plans to build more of the Posh Pocket neighborhoods as soon as the first ones are sold, White said.
“We don’t have another site, but our plan is to do more,” White said. “There is definitely a need for it.”
