Ten thousand miles into our exploratory tiny house road trip, we found ourselves in the infamous Sin City. Along with the dancing neon lights and innumerable casinos, downtown Vegas hosts many bustling small businesses, especially at the magnificent Container Park, countless brightly colored murals and seen strolling down streets are locals and tourists alike, even families. The splendid picture of downtown revitalization. Not that long ago this area of Vegas was practically a wasteland.
Christian and I were busy taking in the sights when we caught a glimpse of something truly out of the ordinary, a tiny house community!
Llamalopolis – as some people refer to it – is a tiny house on wheels and Airstream village in the Fremont East District, in the heart of downtown Las Vegas. Lovingly referred to as the “Airstream Park” by its residents. In the fall of 2014 it was just another vacant, run-down lot. Long ago it had been an RV park and still retained some of its infrastructure like hook-ups, though in disrepair.
Along came a visionary by the name of Tony Hsieh, the CEO of Zappos and founder of The Downtown Project. He was looking for a new place to call home, and just so happened he owned a combined total of 33 Tumbleweeds and Airstreams. An idea came to him to park all of these at the old RV park to conduct a community experiment.
In the fall of 2014, Tony invited 30 friends to stay at the lot for two weeks to explore ideas on how to create a functioning, sustainable community. This was a simple community setup on what was just an empty paved lot, but it was soon brought to life by this group of creative thinkers. During their stay, they would all gather around the fire to cook, share ideas and listen to music. They explored design concepts for the optimal community layout, what amenities were most needed, and enjoyed each other’s company. Tony and several others were loving this simple, connected lifestyle. After a couple of nights, they knew that they wanted to stay for good. For Tony, an extraordinarily successful man, this would become his full-time residence.
A vibrant and definitely unique urban tiny house community model has since organically evolved to best meet the needs of its residents. While the structure of the community has deliberately been molded to foster daily spontaneous social encounters. Tony calls these collisions.
We entered Llamalopolis through a llama decorated gate. Immediately we found ourselves in an enchanting semi-covered tunnel covered with twinkling lights and lined with trees. Later we learned this recycled element came from a local Christmas display. We could just make out the tiny homes in the background, and could clearly smell the nearby alpaca pin. The tunnel opens up to the “living room”; an outdoor shared common space centered around two fire pits and a stage.
Christian and I certainly didn’t know what to expect when we came for a visit. We were delightfully surprised by how to down-to-earth the residents are. They come from varied professional and socioeconomic backgrounds, including both full-time and part-time residents. Many of the residents are working downtown professionals, and a few are digital nomads that work from home or travel heavily for work.
It was wonderful to have neighbors. They proved to be fun, kind, and fascinating folks. Cue a few tiny house, house parties and much storytelling around the fire.
The community itself felt like a big, warm family including a wide assortment of animals (chickens, alpacas, dogs and cats).
Regarding the structure of the community, the shared common areas act as an extension of living space for each resident and their respective sleek Airstream or cozy Tumbleweed tiny house, which all face toward these spaces. Each tiny home has power, water (city water) and sewer hook-ups. The “living room” includes shared “green” space (artificial turf) with chairs, tables, a giant bed swing, fire pits and a stage. The stage features a projector with Apple TV with a community iPad attached for playing music or outdoor movies. A large Airstream bus with rooftop deck sits in the back, offering a chill hangout spot and great views of downtown, the community stage and neighboring bar/music venue, The Bunkhouse. Two large, mobile canopies serve to provide shade or rain cover above the seating areas.
The entire community is enclosed by five foot high concrete wall. This helps maintain a sense of safety; especially important because it’s home to the most famous local Vegas celebrity, Tony. We found the wall also helps foster a connected community feel.
The shared community facilities include a kitchen, laundry room, and indoor office/lounge space. This indoor space they found is key for encouraging social interaction during the scorching summer heat.
The entire park is WiFi enabled; perfect for working outdoors. Use of all these shared facilities is included with the cost of rent along with utilities, though there is a community “piggy bank” for beer money contributions.
All residents and guests come through one main entrance (the trippy covered tunnel); this strengthens the community vibe by increasing the number of spontaneous social collisions. Parking is in a nearby satellite lot. There is a exit gate that can be unlocked for cars, trucks or tiny homes to enter as needed.
Several empty Airstreams and tiny houses are considered “crash pads” and are available to guests of residents as short term rentals. Potential residents must be recommended via word-of-mouth by current residents. There is a one week trial period for new residents. This is to determine fit by both parties, current residents and potential newcomer.
Llamalopolis has a point person, the “park ranger” or community manager. He manages the park, handles scheduling, fields requests from residents, oversees maintenance, troubleshoots interpersonal or technical issues, and more. The park ranger and residents communicate within one another through Slack, a messaging app for teams or groups. For example, someone made dumplings to share, he or she messages an open invite to the group. There is a security, maintenance and cleaning staff that keep the park operational and in tip-top shape. Residents help keep things clean and orderly as well.
The style and vibe of the community is reminiscent of Burning Man. This festival, known for its emphasis on community, art, self-expression, and self-reliance, made a lasting impression on Tony and a handful of residents. The air at Llamalopolis is often filled with music and smoke from the fire pits that are always burning once the sun goes down. Spontaneous conversations and impromptu potlucks are common organic community building occurrences.
The night we arrived an unplanned potluck feast came together. Daniel & Ranielle (@biglifetinyhouse) had planned to make lettuce wraps to share, while Tony had a craving for chicken and ordered extra to share, and on her way home and unaware of the other food happenings, Jess ordered pizzas to share. Residents all wandered to the living room for food and conversation. Leftovers were put in the community kitchen to be shared with any residents who missed out. Thoughtful and kind, as usual.
We learned that there’s an emphasis on residents making contributions to the community. These contributions are based around each individual’s natural gifts, abilities and interests, not on a traditional chore list. For instance, resident Daniel Park is a professional musician, and often contributes music for the enjoyment of his neighbors. Daniel also organizes the bi-monthly Open Air Sessions. Friends of residents, Zappos and The Downtown Project come out to enjoy a lively open mic night in the Llamalopolis living room. You never know who will stop by for a surprise jam session, like the lead singer of Imagine Dragons.
As we got to know our temporary neighbors, we were intrigued to learn that many of them are introverts. Resident Krissee remarked that she loved people, but left to her our own introverted tendencies, she wouldn’t go out of her way interact with others. The spontaneous daily collisions between Krissee and her neighbors help her maintain a healthy sense of well-being. Living at Llamalopolis is a perfect opportunity for her to enjoy her neighbors’ company, while always having the option to retreat to her private, cozy tiny home.
For Tony, living here isn’t about living small at all. In fact, he said this is the biggest home he has ever lived in. Tony’s life is outside of his tiny home, or his “bedroom”. His community life is essential to feeling part of something more meaningful, a more alive way of life.
We ended up staying for two weeks and couldn’t have felt more welcomed or more at home. I never expected to feel that way in downtown Vegas, of all places.
Llamalopolis is continually evolving and now has the goal of achieving net zero energy.
Can this community model be replicated? You bet! Abandoned or dilapidated urban RV parks can be transformed into vibrant intentional communities. What’s needed, besides quality tiny homes? Start-up capital, creative thinkers and engaged community members.
Would you want to live in this kind of community? Share your thoughts below.
by Alexis Stephens
All Photos Copyright Tiny House Expedition
I would love to live in this type of community. They obviously work well together, they take care of each other yet give everyone their own privacy and space. This is exactly the type of community I am looking for to park my tiny home.
Thanks for sharing Syndi! I truly feel that this kind of community could be created from existing RV parks around the country. Transforming a traditional RV park into an intentional community. Gathering a group of invested community members is definitely key. My dream is to help create a community like this at some point. 🙂
If you are interested in a tiny/small home community in a more temperate climate than Las Vegas, check out Village of Wildflowers in Flat Rock, North Carolina. They are creating a tiny/small house, inter-generational community in an old RV park. It’s a fabulous location, just outside Hendersonville and about 15 minutes from Asheville and the airport. I was just there for 2 weeks to try out that size space. I’m sold on the concept AND the Village of Wildflowers.
Thanks for sharing Dale! We are happy to hear that the Village is under new management, because of the wonderful potential and current residents.
I live in Vegas and would love to see more tiny house communities appear. I don’t need a large home being that I am single and live with my beautiful cat Grace. The movement makes total sense to me.
Me too, Sharon! I have begun my downsizing, but am having difficulty finding a Tiny House friendly location. I’m beginning to put together a petition to the council for zoning and/or ordinance revisions. Please let me know if you’re interested.
Are you starting this petition in Las Vegas??
I have been planning on building a tiny home for so long now, and I am in the process of looking up all the zoning and building codes and boy is it difficult! I would love to start a community.
Spent a weekend there last October in one of the guest Airstreams. Met some delightful and creative, out-of-the box thinkers. Had a great time!
Right on Sharon! So happy to hear of your positive experience. The people there are huge part of what makes it so extraordinary.
I would like to be to see this type of community near Grand Rapids, MI. I want to build my own tiny house, but would love to live in a community with like-minded people. Hopefully this kind of community gains traction!
Hi,
Would love to be part of a community like this, What a great idea, Would love to see something like this in canada on the east or west coast.Love it
I have 38 acres of land between Savannah and Macon Georgia. It doesn’t have any hookups, but I wonder if there would be interest if I invested that kind of money in it??
Yes, I’d bet there would be interest if you can jump start it Vickey!~}
People all over the country are looking of tiny house parking and to be part of a community, so I’m sure there would be interest. 🙂 Is that area close to a town or more rural? I would first look into the zoning of your property.
Vickey: I’m very interested in any and all tiny house communities in the south. I’d love to be kept in the loop of your developments. However, price is a major consideration so if it’s going to be another one of those exclusive $300,000+ tiny home communities, count me out. Thanks, Neva
Wish I could find a place like this to live !
What a fantastic community! I am planning to go tiny soon and would live to find a tiny house community in northwest Oregon. Getting a tiny house is the easy part. Finding a place to put a tiny house is the hard part. I’m still searching.
You are absolutely right; parking is the primary challenge. If you haven’t already check out available parking on TinyHouseCommunity.com and the Tiny House Hosting Facebook group. A few tiny housers have success creating flyers about themselves and their parking needs, and posting around town and online, including CraigsList. Plus don’t forget your local tiny house Meetup group. We are releasing part of 1 of our 3 part educational documentary, Living Tiny Legally, this August. This provides case studies about how a handful of cities have created legal avenues for tiny house placement. Learn more: http://www.tinyhouseexpedition.com/livingtinylegally
Would love to live in a tiny home community like this.
Looks like a wonderful community. What a great idea. I hope others are inspired to do the same in other states and countries.
I live Las Vegas and want to build/buy a tiny home and would love to be there, but how would I go about trying to see if there is a spot for my home there. How do I get more information?
Great question. Potential residents must be recommended via word-of-mouth by current residents.
If you’re not a member already, check out the Las Vegas Tiny House Meetup group. They might be able to help with a build site and future parking. It’s a very active group led by DIY tiny housers, Jeff & Megan of Room to Spare Tiny House.
Oh my gosh, this is our dream community! We live in Vegas and have housemates. We want to build our tiny house and move to a community like this.
I hope we can get more tiny home community’s in Vegas, because I am ready to go tiny! Just need the spot, I wish I knew someone who could help.
I’d love it. The monthly rent is a bit above my budget, though. If utilities are included that’d be helpful, but not quite enough for me to afford.
Now, if they have spaces available for me to bring a trailer in, for far less per month… yeah!
I would love to live in such a community HOWEVER, sitting side by side as these are….no! I would love to look out my window without looking in on my neighbor.
Good idea and wish I had a Tiny House!
Its a business property, not really a residential area. For Las Vegas residents, zoning laws require your home be it tiny or other, to be on a lot of a minimum of 2700-3799 square feet, deepening on community guidelines. (lots size need to be 75 in depth and 36-50 feet wide). Which when your looking at the high pricing for lots here in Vegas, your price for the lot (before building your tiny home), depending on location in the valley would start at around $100k and up. (which kinda of defeats the purpose of a tiny house to get away from a high mortgage). Right now Tiny Homes are a bust here in Vegas. (especially since brand new entry level homes start in the high $100’s, which would cost the same as a Tiny Home/Lot). But theres always an hour away drive to Pahrump if you must have a tiny home.
We live in Miami Fl and have been looking at Tiny Houses for sometime. My wife is a consultant and there is a possibility that she will be offered a 3-6 month position in Vegas. Do you rent out any of the Tiny Houses. Thanks
Will be moving to Vegas with my husband and interested in renting out a tiny home or airstream.. How do we find out information on on if this is possible?
This is a private community, and unfortunately,you must be recommended by a past or current resident to become a resident.
My friend and I are both interested in the tiny home movement. We would like to visit and check things out. Is that possible? Do we need an appointment?
Please advise.
Thank you,
P. Meszarfos
I would love to live in this tiny house community, how can I do so, very serious about this.
I have been interested in the tiny house realisation for over 10 years. I have never wanted more than I need and I love 2 help others. I am a full blown animal LOVER! I live in Ohio and I have always heard going west calling my name. I live on very little. I have disabilities, but I push myself as far as my body will go. Some days it goes far. Somedays it halts. I’m 61 on March 30th. My spirit is much younger. I would like 2 check out this community! Money always seems to be an issue. If I could make it out there would I have a place to lay my head? Pls respond and mark it important! Thanks very much. With a Touch of my Spirit, Eydie Cain. No website, but My FACEBOOK page will tell U about me!
i’m moving to Vegas early July 2017 and would love information on the tiny house airstream community are their monthly rentals what are the cost I’m single with a cat
Potential residents must be recommended via word-of-mouth by current residents.
Check out the Las Vegas Tiny House Meetup group. They might be able to help you find parking.
I would love too see this in Napa CA .I have wanted a tiny house for a while now the problem is California is not the place, really hard to find a place to put a tiny house ! Any investors out there looking to set something up like this in the Bay area ? It would be great up here in wine country ! or anyone out there leasing land let me know I’m ready !
I am a young at heart but in challenged body – I would love a place like this!! I’ve been looking into Airstream fulltiming once my daughter os off to college. I am often isolated and crave community. What a beautiful way to live!! I’m formerly super social. But due to life circumstances have become introverted. I rarely comment online to stories I read. This spoke to me!! What a groovy idea. Reminds me of the mindset of the Lil hippie village I grew up in.. maybe one day… Florida could use ideas like this. Many are being pushed out of affording even the basic of housing. Everyone must drive so far for anything and tourism is valued over residents. It feels this way if not wealthy anyway..
love this community living helping being model.. in awe!
I have always wished to live in a tiny house and a conscious community. I love this. Tony started something and I hope this idea grows.
Please email me when a long term space is available. Want to place a tiny house in your community.
Thank you
I would love to receive email updates!
I would like to live in a community like this forever. I have health issues
This is pretty cool. I’d love to live tiny and simple. Looks like a good community to spend time in.
Where can I go to set up my tiny homes , the I need a space in Las Vegas.