Have you heard of ADUs? Many Eastern Iowa homeowners are discovering that Accessory Dwelling Units, or ADUs, are a fantastic way to create positive home environments that support generational living and add resilient value to their properties.

While these types of dwellings have long been associated with coastal cities, Iowa is starting to embrace them in the typical Midwest-friendly way, prioritizing practicality, long-term planning, and community growth.

In our own work here at Twenty40, we’ve been helping Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Robins, and surrounding communities think about ADUs not as trends but as thoughtful, design-forward solutions that fit real family needs.

An ADU is a secondary housing unit located on the same lot as a primary residence. It can be attached or detached and is designed to function as an independent living space with its own entrance, kitchen, and bathroom. In Iowa, common ADU types you’ll see locally include:

• Basement apartments
• Above-garage suites
• Garage conversions
• Limited backyard cottages

There are several real-life housing challenges facing Iowa families. ADUs can help address a few of them by allowing you to plan for changing needs without moving, while protecting your long-term investment in your property.

Often designed as practical extensions of a home rather than a radical density shift, they are perfect for multi-generational living. ADUs solve housing issues by:

• Providing aging parents with their own private, accessible space with shared meals and hands-on support as needed.
• Encouraging adult children to return home when necessary, but still providing separate spaces to allow for autonomy
• Creating dedicated living spaces for grandparents, caregivers, or long-term guests that maintain privacy and independence for everyone in the household
• Generating additional income through short- and long-term rental opportunities
• Increasing home equity and property values
• Supporting flexible housing solutions for large and growing families, without requiring a messy or expensive move

Zoning rules for ADUs can vary widely by city and by neighborhood, so understanding local policies is essential before you begin design or construction. In Iowa, a combination of state adaptability and city-specific rules shapes what’s possible.

Recent statewide legislation has broadened ADU feasibility in many communities, but exact details, such as size, occupancy rate, and parking requirements, are determined at the city level.

Here are the common Iowa zoning rules and regulations for ADUs:

• Cedar Rapids: ADU approvals in Cedar Rapids are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, depending on the zoning district, lot size, and parking availability. Basement and internal ADUs are more commonly approved than detached backyard units.
• Marion: Marion, Iowa, allows certain accessory living arrangements as long as they comply with owner-occupancy requirements, size limits, and neighborhood compatibility. 
• Hiawatha & Robins: These areas tend to be more restrictive, often favoring internal conversions such as converted basements or other attached spaces. Detached ADUs may require variances or may not be permitted in some neighborhoods.

Even when city zoning allows ADUs, homeowner associations may prohibit them or impose additional rules. Before starting your project, it’s important to verify your HOA requirements. 

Navigating the complexities of HOAs and other local regulations can be incredibly challenging and frustrating. Working with a professional, like the team at Twenty40, can help you properly plan to avoid surprises and ensure your plan clears all regulations, while keeping design and construction practical.

Dows Farm in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a prime example of strategic, long-term thinking in housing. In this specially designed neighborhood, you can build your primary home with an ADU planned from day one.

This allows you to avoid the red tape of adding one later, while also offering financing benefits such as a streamlined budget, a single mortgage, favorable terms, and options to reduce upfront costs. A 10-year tax abatement on improvements provides real breathing room while you settle in and start building equity or collecting rental income.

Beyond making financial sense, Dows Farm also makes sense from a sustainability and community standpoint. This intentional agri-community has trails, gardens, orchards, and open space designed around how people live, not just how many rooftops fit on a map. It’s housing with a long-term plan in a community that looks and feels thoughtfully designed.

A successful ADU project starts with thoughtful planning rather than quick execution. Here are practical steps to get you from idea to occupancy while respecting local zoning rules for ADUs and meeting your family’s needs.

• Verify zoning and HOA restrictions early: Check with Cedar Rapids, Marion, or your local city planning department, and review HOA covenants if applicable. This upfront step prevents redesigns and delays later.
• Define the intended use and occupancy: Clarify whether the ADU will serve aging parents, adult children, long-term guests, or rental income. This helps determine size, layout, accessibility features, and parking considerations.
• Align design with neighborhood character: Prioritize curb appeal and continuity with the existing home and streetscape to improve approval odds and community acceptance.
• Plan utilities and parking: Ensure efficient utility connections and consider parking solutions that satisfy city requirements and HOA conditions.
• Collaborate with a local design-build partner: A local expert can translate goals into a compliant, durable design that anticipates maintenance needs and long-term value.

Whether you want to expand your options for multi-generational living or add rental income, Twenty40 is here to help you explore all of your ADU options. We can help you navigate tricky Iowa zoning rules and regulations to design something beautiful, functional, and simply incredible.

Reach out to have a conversation with our team today!

Revitalizing communities is not something that happens by chance. It takes long‑range planning rooted in sustainability, livability, and economic resilience. With the right vision and teamwork, we can create communities and neighborhoods people will love to call home.

Here at Twenty40, we know how important it is to bring everyone’s needs together to form communities that feel safe, connected, and full of opportunity. We work hard to bring together the needs of everyone, from empty nesters to recent college grads, to create strategic developments that support both people and the land.

At the heart of every Twenty40 project is a simple idea: community revitalization must be intentional. This idea only works when every community is planned with care and built with a long‑range vision. We focus on three basic pillars: sustainability, livability, and economic resilience.

Strategic development means looking at the big picture. Instead of building one project at a time, we think about how land use, housing, agriculture, commerce, and public spaces can work together. When these pieces connect, they create a community that feels whole. People can walk to parks, shop at local stores, enjoy green spaces, and live in homes that fit their needs.

This approach doesn’t just make the most of the land. It also creates a higher quality of living and long‑term value for the broader region. When a community is well planned, it becomes a place people want to stay and invest in – for decades to come.

One of the best examples of our philosophy in action is the Dows Farm AgriCommunity. This project is located in Linn County and offers a fresh approach to how people live with the land. The AgriCommunity blends modern housing with active farmland. It protects open space while creating a vibrant neighborhood where people can enjoy nature every day.

Dows Farm AgriCommunity is designed to support both the people and the land. The community members enjoy multiple agri-components spread over 88 acres of conserved land, including raised planter beds, compost center, vineyards, apple orchard, perennial flower production, honeybees, tool sharing, pumpkin patch, and more.

With the land as the community’s centerpiece, Dows Farm residents enjoy a strong connection to the surrounding natural environment. With plenty of trails to explore, garden projects to work on, and green spaces to relax in, there are plenty of opportunities to form a true community.

The design also focuses on sustainability. Conservation‑minded planning helps manage stormwater and protect natural resources, enabling residents and the land to live in harmony. Homes and community spaces are designed to encourage walking, biking, and outdoor engagement, making the neighborhood feel open, healthy, and connected.

The design of Dows Farm Agricommunity is rooted in Linn County’s strong agricultural history without giving up the modern conveniences of a walkable community. The neighborhood feels both rural and urban, offering the best of both worlds. 

With a diverse mix of home styles, sizes, and price points, Dows Farm Argicommunity is home to families, young professionals, retirees, recent college grads, and first-time homebuyers. People who live here enjoy a slower, more intentional way of life. The strategic design makes it more than just a place to live. It has created a sought-after community, attracting people of all demographics who value nature, health, and community.

While Dows Farm focuses on rural‑urban harmony, Twenty40 is also deeply involved in existing community revitalization, especially Cedar Rapids. Our work here is focused on strengthening the city’s future and ensuring people call it home for many years to come.

Downtown areas are the heart of a city – and the Cedar Rapids downtown district is no exception. Like many downtowns across the country, our city has struggled with underused buildings or empty lots. Through strategic development, Twenty40 is helping to rewrite that story in Cedar Rapids.

Our downtown projects, like Fulton Lofts, focus on two things:

• Adaptive Reuse: breathing new life into older buildings
• Infill Development: building on empty or underused land to make the area more complete

By turning unused spaces into modern homes and businesses, we can infuse new energy and excitement into the city. Our strategies for creating mixed-use districts help make the Cedar Rapids downtown a more exciting and welcoming place.

Creating more liveable spaces in downtown areas also helps to drive economic growth. Thriving local shops, restaurants, and service providers all work together to make a vibrant downtown space. In turn, those thriving commercial spaces attract entrepreneurs, employers, and creative thinkers who want to be part of a growing city.

People want to live near the places they visit every day, making walkability a key part of strategic development. Twenty40’s downtown projects focus on pedestrian‑friendly design that makes it easy for residents to enjoy their city without needing a car. 

When homes are close to shops, parks, entertainment, and cultural spaces, it creates a walkable downtown that also encourages community connection. This lively, friendly atmosphere is where people meet neighbors by patronizing local businesses and companies in Cedar Rapids. It also attracts visitors and tourists who want to experience the excitement and connection.

People want to live near the places they visit every day, making walkability a key part of strategic development. Twenty40’s downtown projects focus on pedestrian‑friendly design that makes it easy for residents to enjoy their city without needing a car. 

When homes are close to shops, parks, entertainment, and cultural spaces, it creates a walkable downtown that also encourages community connection. This lively, friendly atmosphere is where people meet neighbors by patronizing local businesses and companies in Cedar Rapids. It also attracts visitors and tourists who want to experience the excitement and connection.

Long-term sustainability is a big part of strategic development. Every Twenty40 project is designed with a 20‑ to 40‑year horizon to ensure that our developments stay useful, adaptable, and beneficial for decades. We want our work to support not only today’s residents but also future generations.

Collaboration is a key part of our process. We work closely with local governments, planners, and community members. Their input helps shape projects that reflect real needs and local values. When people feel heard, they feel more connected to the final result.

Our goal is to set a regional standard for responsible growth. We want to show that development can be innovative, sustainable, and community‑focused. Whether we are working on existing community revitalization or building brand-new neighborhoods, we aim to create places that inspire pride and support long‑term success.

Interested in learning more about how Twenty40 is helping revitalize communities and shape the future of the Cedar Rapids downtown district and beyond? Contact us today to discuss our latest and upcoming projects!

When it comes to housing options, the choices seem almost as diverse as the people seeking them. Two popular options in Iowa for those looking for low-maintenance living are zero lots and condos. These housing styles offer a different approach to homeownership, each with its own set of pros and cons. In this article, we’ll explore the differences between zero lots and condos to help you make an informed decision about which one might be the best fit for you.

With a zero lot line, one or more portions of the structure sits on or near the edge of a property line-meaning “zero” lot or land is to be had. The front or back of the property may sit close to the street. Often, a zero lot line implies there is a shared central wall between units. Duplexes, townhouses, and condos all have the potential to fall into this category which is why they are often confused. We’ve detailed some key components of zero lot homes below.

Individual Ownership:

One of the key distinctions of a zero lot is individual ownership. When you purchase a zero-lot property, you own both the house and the land it’s built on. However, the key feature of a zero lot is that the house is built very close to one side of the property line, maximizing the use of space.

Outdoor Space:

Zero lots typically have a small yard or outdoor area, but it’s often limited in size due to the layout. The idea here is to minimize the maintenance required for landscaping and outdoor upkeep.

Privacy:

Zero lots usually provide more privacy compared to condos, as you have your own space with fewer shared walls and common areas.

Maintenance:

While you are responsible for the maintenance of your individual property, you won’t have to worry about common area maintenance like you would in a condo complex.

Before purchasing a zero lot line property, carefully assess your needs, lifestyle, and preferences. Consider factors like privacy, maintenance responsibilities, and community amenities to determine if this housing option aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

With condos, it’s important to know that certain parts are individually owned and operated by each individual homeowner while others are jointly owned or shared such as a lobby, fitness room, or other spaces. This means there will always be a homeowners association. Since this association will likely handle more than that of a zero lot or townhouse, you’ll want to be really sure you feel good about their management. How well do they maintain common areas? What rules are in place? How are decisions made? What level of participation is required by you and the other homeowners? You are committing to the homeowners association just as much as you are the condo itself. Here are some factors to consider when purchasing a condo:

Ownership Structure:

When you buy a condo, you’re purchasing a unit within a larger building or complex. You own your individual unit but share ownership of common areas and amenities with other condo residents.

Outdoor Space:

Condos typically come with limited or shared outdoor spaces like courtyards, pools, or rooftop gardens. You’ll have less individual outdoor space than in a zero lot.

Amenities:

Condos often offer a range of amenities, such as fitness centers, community rooms, and security features. These shared amenities can enhance your living experience but come with monthly condo association fees.

Maintenance:

Condo living usually involves less maintenance responsibility for individual units. The condo association takes care of maintenance for common areas, exterior upkeep, and sometimes even utilities.

Community:

Living in a condo complex often fosters a strong sense of community, as you’ll be in close proximity to your neighbors and may participate in association meetings and events.

Financial considerations:

When deciding between a zero lot and a condo, it’s also crucial to consider the financial aspects.

Cost:

Zero lots might have a higher initial purchase price due to individual ownership of land. Condos might be more affordable upfront, but monthly association fees can add up.

Resale Value:

Resale values for both zero lots and condos can vary widely based on location, demand, and market conditions.

Taxes and Insurance:

Your property tax and homeowner’s insurance obligations may differ between the two housing types.

In the end, the choice between a zero lot and a condo boils down to your lifestyle, preferences, and financial considerations. Zero lots offer more privacy and individual outdoor space, while condos often provide a sense of community and shared amenities. Assess your priorities, consult with a real estate expert like the ones here at Twenty40, and weigh the pros and cons carefully to make the right decision for your next home. Remember, the ideal choice is the one that aligns with your unique needs and lifestyle.

You may have heard this one time or another in conversations with a neighbor, friend or family member, “Affordable housing and mixed-use developments bring down property values.”  This is a myth, and we are here to bust it. While we talk the talk, at Twenty40 we walk the walk.

The talk – The truth is that with proper planning, design and execution, affordable housing coexists harmoniously with other types of housing without negatively impacting property values. The walk – Our current project, Rookwood Estates, is becoming one of the most diverse new construction developments in the Cedar Rapids Area. Not only does it offer several price points, styles, and layouts, but it also features affordable townhomes for lease. Our next project, The Dows AgriCommunity, will be a one-of-a-kind mixed-use development that also integrates affordable housing.

Mixed-use housing are developments or buildings that combine residential units with other types of uses, such as commercial, retail, or office spaces. The concept behind mixed-use housing is to create vibrant and integrated communities that offer a variety of amenities within walking distance. This reduces the need for long commutes and promotes a more sustainable and walkable lifestyle. Therefore, mixed-use developments are designed to provide a range of benefits for both residents and the surrounding area.

1. Convenience and Access

   Mixed-use developments provide residents with easy access to various amenities like shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and offices. This proximity enhances convenience.

2. Increased Property Values

   The diverse range of amenities and services available within the development creates a desirable living environment. This attracts potential buyers or renters which increases demand. As a result, property values in mixed-use areas may appreciate over time.

3. Vibrant and Active Communities

   By integrating residential, commercial, and other uses, mixed-use developments foster a sense of community and promote social interaction. Including retail spaces, parks, or community centers within the development contributes to a vibrant atmosphere, making it an attractive place to live.

4. Walkability and Reduced Dependence on Cars

   Mixed-use developments prioritize walkability by providing pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, such as sidewalks, bike lanes, and trails. This design encourages residents to walk or bike to nearby amenities which reduces reliance on cars while promoting a healthier lifestyle.

5. Economic Benefits

   The integration of commercial and retail spaces in mixed-use developments has economic benefits for both residents and the local community. The presence of local businesses within the development creates job opportunities and stimulates local economic activity. This enhances the overall vitality of the area.

It’s important to note that the impact of mixed-use developments on property values depends on various factors, including location, quality of design and construction, market conditions, and the mix of uses within the development. Additionally, while mixed-use developments can generally have a positive influence on property values, there are specific factors that can produce negative impacts, such as poor planning, lack of property management, or excessive noise or congestion.

Affordable housing refers to residential properties that are reasonably priced within financial reach for individuals or families with modest incomes. The price range for affordable housing can vary depending on the location, available programs, and the income levels of the individuals or families being served. Please note that the availability and pricing of affordable housing can change over time due to market conditions, government policies, and local initiatives. Affordable housing initiatives play a crucial role in addressing housing inequality and promoting stable and thriving communities, while increasing access to housing.

The relationship between affordable housing and property values is a complex and often debated topic. While some argue that the presence of affordable housing brings down property values, this is not a universal truth. In fact, with proper planning, management and community engagement, affordable housing has been associated with mostly positive impacts. Positive impacts include revitalizing neighborhoods, increasing economic activity and enhancing community diversity. At Twenty40, we consider these nuances and engage in comprehensive urban planning to strike a balance that benefits both affordable housing seekers and property owners.

An agricommunity, short for agricultural community, is a development concept that combines residential living with agricultural elements. It’s a community where people live and work on or near agricultural land, often participating in farming, gardening, or other agricultural endeavors as part of their daily lives.

Agricommunities can vary widely in scale and scope. Some may be small, rural communities where residents grow their own food or engage in small-scale farming practices. Others may be larger developments or planned communities where agriculture is integrated into the design and infrastructure, with communal gardens, farms, or orchards providing food for residents.

There are several reasons why agricommunities are important:

Food Security

Agricommunities promote local food production, reducing dependence on long-distance food transportation and enhancing food security for residents. By growing food locally, agricommunities can ensure a steady supply of fresh, nutritious produce for residents, even in times of global food shortages or disruptions.

Sustainability

Agricommunities often prioritize sustainable agricultural practices, such as organic farming, permaculture, or regenerative agriculture. By minimizing chemical inputs, conserving water and soil resources, and promoting biodiversity, agricommunities can minimize their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable food system.

Community Building

At Twenty40 we’re all about community building. Agricommunities foster a strong sense of community among residents who share a common interest in agriculture and sustainable living. Working together on farming or gardening projects can strengthen social connections, promote collaboration, and create opportunities for learning and skill-sharing.

Health and Well-being

Engaging in agricultural activities can have numerous health benefits, both physical and mental. Gardening and farming provide opportunities for physical activity, outdoor recreation, and connection with nature, which can improve overall health and well-being for residents.

Economic Development

Agricommunities can stimulate economic development by creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, job creation, and local economic activity related to agriculture. By supporting local farmers, producers, and businesses, agricommunities can help bolster the local economy and create a more resilient community.

In conclusion, agricommunities offer a holistic approach to sustainable living, integrating agriculture, community, and environmental stewardship to create vibrant, resilient, and healthy communities.

Our latest project, The Dows Farm and AgriCommunity in Linn County, Iowa is just that. This 485 Acre development had been designated an Urban Revitalization project, and an exciting one at that. Not only will this one-of-a-kind community feature a working farm that provides crops to its residents, but it will also feature 88 acres of conservation land, trails, nearly 400 dwelling units, over 40,000sf of commercial space including a farm-to-table style restaurant and event center, and so much more.

To learn more and to sign up for project updates visit the Twenty40 Building Concepts website.