GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — To help address the affordable housing shortage, Construct has recently acquired The Windflower Inn, a 20-bedroom, 17-bath multi-building property, just minutes from downtown Great Barrington. 

 

The historic 10.5 acres property, built in 1850, at 684 South Egremont Road, will help local businesses find housing for their staff.

 

The property will also add moderate-income rental units which will generate immediate revenue. 

 

"This is truly a community-based project envisioned by Josh Irwin, funded with local support and private foundation funds from Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust, ARPA funds from Great Barrington, individual donors and sustainable financing from Greylock

Federal Credit Union," said Jane Ralph, Construct Executive Director.

 

Construct plans to offer The Windflower Inn as co-living space, opening the doors to new occupants by January 2023. 

 

According to a press release, Co-living, or intentional living, is a sustainable residential living concept that brings people together to live in community, sharing space, chores and resources. The communal living model will allow workers to stay in the Southern Berkshires and help our businesses to thrive. 

 

The 20-room property, including two (separate 3 and 4 bedroom) cottages, can house up to 35 people. Most are fully furnished ensuite rooms with their own bedroom and private bath, while sharing common rooms, such as the kitchen, 2 spacious living rooms, wraparound porch, gardens and pond. 

 

Five of the inn's units are reserved for those whose income meets a 65 percent or less Area Median Income (AMI). The only other requirement for all new occupants is that they must want to live intentionally with others, in a communal living environment. 

 

Other future plans include offering the property's cottages to families needing affordable homes close to jobs and schools; repurposing the commercial kitchen into a culinary classroom, business development incubator, and commissary kitchen for restaurants and small producers; and exploring possible hospitality management training partnerships with fellow nonprofits.