Austin-based builders Kindred Uncommon to create new pocket community for those 55 and up in downtown Buda

Austin-based builders Kindred Uncommon, formerly known as Cantina, are set to build a new, modern community tailored for those 55 and up on 6.5 acres of land across the street from Buda City Hall at 767 Main St., Buda.

The purpose of a pocket neighborhood is to encourage residents to interact with their neighbors through centralized common areas and are usually on the smaller scale of single family residences, according to the Buda Unified Development Code.

The community will be tailored to older adults that are looking to down-size or are maybe in a transitional phase in their life, Viola said.

"It's almost like an anti-retirement community in some ways [for] people who don't ascribe to that notion of living on a golf course in Florida," Viola said.

The existing 2,500 square foot home on the property will be renovated and converted into a large, shared space called Great House for the residents with a kitchen, cafe, indoor and outdoor dining, pool and more.

There will be 76 one- and two-bedroom units across the property ranging from 520-1130 square feet.

"Buda was so great because we wanted something that was within striking distance of Austin," Viola said about selecting Buda for the new community. "They have walked this line of being flexible with change because they know they're growing very quickly. They've invested in a lot of infrastructure and making everything look really great and modern but they've maintained their historic charm—and that's really hard to do."

The Kindred Uncommon team aims to have all the necessary permits and site plans ready to go in May with a potential ground breaking in June, officials said. Viola estimates having the first move-ins either spring or summer 2023.

"There's an intention behind this that is so much more than just creating a modern looking community. We really are trying to create something that we don't feel like exists, really at all, let alone for older adults; a community that you can move to and feel like it's going to be a place where you will know other people who live there," Viola said.