The Cottages at Hickory Crossing

Learn more about The Cottages.

Positioned at the gateway to downtown Dallas, The Cottages at Hickory Crossing will provide an innovative union of permanent housing and support services for the fifty most chronic cases of homelessness in Dallas. The integration of thoughtful design and robust services become a comprehensive approach to address the many challenges faced by residents. To best understand the needs of future residents and service providers, the pre-design process included a combination of research, focus group charrettes, and comprehensive engagement of stakeholders in the decision-making process.

The Cottages at Hickory Crossing design re-imagines traditional models by abandoning compartmentalized forms for a composition of separate but linked structures. Design components include:

  • Common green and a series of courtyards: provide flexible space for activities and neighbor interaction. 
  • Fifty, 430- square-foot cottage residences: encourage stronger personal identity; locally pre-fabricated.
  • 4,000-square-foot support-services building: a series of small buildings under one “porch” roof, encouraging frequent resident use and reducing operational costs by centralizing resources.

The project serves as a model for sustainable urban living by maximizing open space, incorporating on-site solar energy technologies, and integrating rainwater collection. While also producing a durable return on investment, these green strategies and activities create a supportive, healthy, and inviting environment. Preliminary modeling anticipates a LEED Platinum rating.

Project partners include: CitySquare, Central Dallas Community Development Corporation, Metrocare Services, Metro Dallas Homeless Alliance, Dallas County Criminal Justice System, UT Southwestern Medical Center, and initial funding provided by the W.W. Caruth Jr. Foundation at Communities Foundation of Texas.

For information on funding or other opportunities, please contact Shawn Wills, Chief Development Officer at CitySquare.

In September 2012, the Dallas Chapter of the American Institute of Architects honored the project with an Unbuilt Design Award.