Co-living startup Common expands its NYC footprint with first Queens residence

Against all odds, the co-living trend seems to have gained some traction in New York City, with a number of brands—including WeLive, the residential arm of WeWork, and Ollie, which promises “all-inclusive” living—opening the dorm-like residences throughout the city.

But the one that’s expanded the fastest is Common, which has opened seven residences in Brooklyn since debuting at the end of 2015. (It’s also taken its show on the road, with developments in Chicago, San Francisco, and Washington D.C.)

Now, the brand is prepping for its push into another borough: Common will open two new houses this month, with one of those—Common Cornelia—marking the brand’s first expansion into Queens. Located in Ridgewood, the house will have six “suites,” each of which has three private bedrooms along with a shared bathroom, kitchen, and living room. The house also has a private backyard, a rooftop common area, and other shared spaces for residents.

Common

Inside one of the suites at Common Cornelia, the brand’s first Queens house.

Of course, the cost is more than you’d likely pay in a shared Ridgewood apartment; a bedroom at Common Cornelia rents for $1,700/month. (In contrast, the average price of a two-bedroom in Ridgewood is currently $2,206/month, according to MNS.) But Common argues that the relatively higher cost is offset by what the company provides residents—namely, a “community, convenience and flexibility.”

As with with Common’s other residences, there’ll be events designed to bring members together, and set-up of each house—which have their own Slack channels, and on-site community managers who function as a hybrid resident advisor/superintendent—is intended to foster a genial, let’s-hang-out vibe.

Plus, essentials like electricity and internet access are baked into the cost of renting a room, and there’s free on-site laundry and a weekly cleaning service. (And hey, it could be worse; a room at one of Common’s San Francisco residences starts at $2,450/month.)

Common is also launching another Brooklyn property, this one in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens; Common Lincoln, as it’s known, will have 17 bedrooms spread across two adjoining buildings, with similar amenities and a $1,400/month starting price. Residents have already started moving into the Lincoln property.

In a press release, the company notes that it “consistently receives 500-700 new member applications every week”—it currently has just over 300 rooms in across its myriad properties—so expect to see more of its houses popping up around the city.

• Common [Official]
• Co-living startup Common launches two more Brooklyn developments [Curbed]
• Common, NYC's Latest Co-Living Start-Up, Expands Its Brooklyn Footprint [Curbed NY]
• Co-living start-up Common expands in Brooklyn with market-rate rentals [Curbed NY]