Castellas
property details
for a Hub House co-operative coliving project
#155 🥇89% CANDIDATE • €180k • historic • village • 1600m² hub • 24👤30👥 • impressive tennement building
GOOD 🔨 effort
GOOD 🚌 transport
GOOD ✈️ access
GOOD 🛒 shops
OKAY 🏙 towns
GOOD 🧗 activities
GOOD ☀️ climate
GOOD ⛰️ nature
GREAT 🌷 garden
GREAT 🏠 building
OKAY ⛲️ hood
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Besseges, Cévennes — near Ales, (Nimes)
☃️2–10–18°☀️10☁️10 • 🍂13–24°☀️10☁️10
☃️2–10–18°☀️10☁️10 • 🍂13–24°☀️10☁️10
Compare all properties
Environment ✧ hills amongst windy rocky river valleys, scrubland and woods; hikes on doorstep
Services ✧ supermarket, shops, bars/resto; nicer village 10mins drive/bus; town 40mins drive (train)
Access ✧ bus at door, station 10mins walk; Nimes 1h15, airport +30mins shuttle; train ~5h Paris/Barcelona (2 changes)
Dedicated units for full-time residence and/or renting.
Notes ✧
✦ Worth comparing to #314 Hotel Family in the Pyrenees (not as dry) at €25k more, 35% smaller with only a small garden, but is in a good town, has a mainline station, and is 30mins from an airport plus two great towns.
✦ a quick train/bus/10min drive/30min bike to a much nicer village with several weekly markets (including organic), good cafes/retos, plus riding and easy kayak; and another village at 25mins thus 3 villages for nearby outings
✦ whilst the river through the village is ugly, river and swimming spots are closeby both up and down river; a stunning spot 30mins drive for hiking and splashing
✦ the Ardeche river with gorges and other other locations down the Ceze are also 30mins, notably Les Vans, with good gorges and more kayaking/riding, to 45mins (for the famous Pont d'Arc)
✦ better mountain landscapes and two very nice small towns (Uzès, Andouze), the Pont du Gard and the peak of Mont Lozere at 1h for occasional daytrips (and winter nordic skiing)
the main town (Alès) is not bad thanks to ongoing improvements including a new market hall in progress, and will be 40mins by train (5-times daily 1€) or car, versus 1h bus currently (last 6pm)
✦ the lovely city of Nimes will be 1h20 which makes it plausible for a daytrip (and often also just 1€)
✦ access is good; Nimes airport is train then shuttle bus with year round service to Stansted, Brussels, plus seasonal to Luton, Dublin and Morocco; many more options including Lisbon from Montpellier and Marseille
several hiking circuits are possible on the hills either side of the river starting 15mins along lanes and climbing 450m; the GR44B passes the door and leads to an impressive chateau (1h biking); the nearest moderate peak (1300m) is 30mins drive, however can reach a 1000m summit in 2h30 biking entirely offroad climbining gradually with downhill all the way back ;) similarly there's a 2h route to the small town with return by train or along the road
✦ tennis 15mins walk
village is good size but uninteresting, has a few eateries, a weekly marjet, and promotes streetart
✦ minor wood pallet factory, and pile of old factory buildings, one now housing a bric-a-brac community repurposing space, and a micro-brewery(!)
coast is 2h drive/train but out of range for daytrips, yet still possible for those who really want it
Decent winter climate and at the door — a station, shops, villages, nice countryside, plus a multitude of varied attractions close by, in a well developed country having good infrastructure. The main disadvantage is that the village is uninteresting at the end of the rail line with a change to reach the mainline (reopening 2028, decent bus until).
The strongest candidate thus far, not least since it had originally been conceived of as a cohousing project, albeit without adequate support and an unsustainable approach. Acquisition would proceed if we had 10× co-owners at around €15–20k each (e.g. 6 months fractional studio or a dedicated studio without fitout) representing around half the capital and 2/3 unit floorspace.
If this seems interesting and you'd potentially be up to be involved, please contact me and we can arrange a call to discuss what route forward might best work for everyone. jacob@hub.house · Whatsapp
✦ Worth comparing to #314 Hotel Family in the Pyrenees (not as dry) at €25k more, 35% smaller with only a small garden, but is in a good town, has a mainline station, and is 30mins from an airport plus two great towns.
✦ a quick train/bus/10min drive/30min bike to a much nicer village with several weekly markets (including organic), good cafes/retos, plus riding and easy kayak; and another village at 25mins thus 3 villages for nearby outings
✦ whilst the river through the village is ugly, river and swimming spots are closeby both up and down river; a stunning spot 30mins drive for hiking and splashing
✦ the Ardeche river with gorges and other other locations down the Ceze are also 30mins, notably Les Vans, with good gorges and more kayaking/riding, to 45mins (for the famous Pont d'Arc)
✦ better mountain landscapes and two very nice small towns (Uzès, Andouze), the Pont du Gard and the peak of Mont Lozere at 1h for occasional daytrips (and winter nordic skiing)
the main town (Alès) is not bad thanks to ongoing improvements including a new market hall in progress, and will be 40mins by train (5-times daily 1€) or car, versus 1h bus currently (last 6pm)
✦ the lovely city of Nimes will be 1h20 which makes it plausible for a daytrip (and often also just 1€)
✦ access is good; Nimes airport is train then shuttle bus with year round service to Stansted, Brussels, plus seasonal to Luton, Dublin and Morocco; many more options including Lisbon from Montpellier and Marseille
several hiking circuits are possible on the hills either side of the river starting 15mins along lanes and climbing 450m; the GR44B passes the door and leads to an impressive chateau (1h biking); the nearest moderate peak (1300m) is 30mins drive, however can reach a 1000m summit in 2h30 biking entirely offroad climbining gradually with downhill all the way back ;) similarly there's a 2h route to the small town with return by train or along the road
✦ tennis 15mins walk
village is good size but uninteresting, has a few eateries, a weekly marjet, and promotes streetart
✦ minor wood pallet factory, and pile of old factory buildings, one now housing a bric-a-brac community repurposing space, and a micro-brewery(!)
coast is 2h drive/train but out of range for daytrips, yet still possible for those who really want it
Property ✧ quite comparable to the Covilha (Portugal) property, somewhat smaller and much less expensive on final cost due to no significant works, not such an appealing setting, yet better nature and towns
see below on this advertisment page for a bunch of photos
would easily support an outdoor auditorium with firepit, orangerie, sauna and plunge pool, indoor auditorium/cinema, multiple workspaces and lounges, storage and possibly a music room/studio
1000m2 south facing patio garden with a dozen plane trees 1000m2 rear raised veg garden (2nd floor with walkways across for access), backs directly up onto hill which is village land and has view across valley
200m2 of rear passageways
✦ the 1st floor has rear passageway access along the west half blocking light to the ground floor, but this could probably be removed
✦ as the ground floor only has rear windows on the east, it's use is limited, good for cinema/auditorium at west, central kitchen, dining/casual workspace would be at the open east end thus better lit
building is at least 500m2 each on three floors, likely used as
✦ 1st floor: 10 cohousing flats at ~45m2 each (2 windows across, full depth to back), with terrace access and a property cost of €15k (€20–25k with common fitout, plus private fitout)
✦ 2nd floor: 14 coliving rooms a generous ~20m2 ensuite (some could have juliet balconies) and property cost of just €500/month (~€1500 with fitout, €18k dedicated); plus some pods
✦ 1:3/33% private–public ratio with a lounge on the 2nd floor having access to the back garden, and a library on the 1st
the shell is mainly clear and ready for refitting with only load bearing walls thus easy to fitout in sections delivering usability progressively, roof in acceptable condition
9.5m deep 60m long
✦ 24 windows/doors on each side along its 60m length (for 72 in total on the front but likely less at the rear), many are functional and only bedrooms and primary living spaces would actually need priority replacement
✦ 100m2 garages could be partly converted to orangerie
✦ 20m2 cottage
the original plan included some nice details such as a climbing wall on one end of the building, but was overspecified in others, including a lift, partly for multigenerational accessibility but not required with simplex units on the 1st floor accessed by ramp up (instead of steps)
the veg garden is a nice feature, however some of its land would be very desireable as an additional (probably quiet) outdoor space, with the veg garden reduced to a kitchen garden; for those wishing to maintain organic gardens (at least some of the cohousing residents) it would be preferable for them to acquire a larger and thus more productive dedicated plot nearby which visitors could better participate in, though personally I think it better to have a partner programme with a local farmer
whilst ultimately the roof may need relaying especially for solar panels, the building is structurally sound, and despite its significant scope for replacing windows, if not as much for fitout, could easily be undertaken in sections to reduce funding requirements
is slightly above the village next to a middle school thus could have some noise intrusion at break time, has both a roadway below the school (excellent spot for street art), and steps down past the church directly into the centre
being sold by an association managing it since 2008, purchased in 2013 to transform as a cohousing project, and most recently a brief attempt to transform as a (somewhat grandiose and wishfully state funded) community hub supporting an eco-village on the surrounding hill but no progress was made by the sole founder/custodian
taxes will push the monthly contributions up a bit, but can be mitigated and is still likely to be easily considered excellent value given the location
whilst the size of a hub and would have a full spread of facilities, it would only operate as a minihub as the village is the last before the mountains and there'd be low demand for public access coworking, nontheless good opportunity for infrequent events
the property has been declared insalubrious possibly with a prohibtion of habitation likely only due to a lack of effective plumbing, unsealed doors and windows, and lack of heating; all of which can be rectified without undue effort (at least in part), however the specific details need confirming, nonetheless part use is unlikely to be an issue during works once the basics are in place
(for those interested in grander projects, 6ha of adjoining land can be purchased, partly buildable, but €200k)
see below on this advertisment page for a bunch of photos
would easily support an outdoor auditorium with firepit, orangerie, sauna and plunge pool, indoor auditorium/cinema, multiple workspaces and lounges, storage and possibly a music room/studio
1000m2 south facing patio garden with a dozen plane trees 1000m2 rear raised veg garden (2nd floor with walkways across for access), backs directly up onto hill which is village land and has view across valley
200m2 of rear passageways
✦ the 1st floor has rear passageway access along the west half blocking light to the ground floor, but this could probably be removed
✦ as the ground floor only has rear windows on the east, it's use is limited, good for cinema/auditorium at west, central kitchen, dining/casual workspace would be at the open east end thus better lit
building is at least 500m2 each on three floors, likely used as
✦ 1st floor: 10 cohousing flats at ~45m2 each (2 windows across, full depth to back), with terrace access and a property cost of €15k (€20–25k with common fitout, plus private fitout)
✦ 2nd floor: 14 coliving rooms a generous ~20m2 ensuite (some could have juliet balconies) and property cost of just €500/month (~€1500 with fitout, €18k dedicated); plus some pods
✦ 1:3/33% private–public ratio with a lounge on the 2nd floor having access to the back garden, and a library on the 1st
the shell is mainly clear and ready for refitting with only load bearing walls thus easy to fitout in sections delivering usability progressively, roof in acceptable condition
9.5m deep 60m long
✦ 24 windows/doors on each side along its 60m length (for 72 in total on the front but likely less at the rear), many are functional and only bedrooms and primary living spaces would actually need priority replacement
✦ 100m2 garages could be partly converted to orangerie
✦ 20m2 cottage
the original plan included some nice details such as a climbing wall on one end of the building, but was overspecified in others, including a lift, partly for multigenerational accessibility but not required with simplex units on the 1st floor accessed by ramp up (instead of steps)
the veg garden is a nice feature, however some of its land would be very desireable as an additional (probably quiet) outdoor space, with the veg garden reduced to a kitchen garden; for those wishing to maintain organic gardens (at least some of the cohousing residents) it would be preferable for them to acquire a larger and thus more productive dedicated plot nearby which visitors could better participate in, though personally I think it better to have a partner programme with a local farmer
whilst ultimately the roof may need relaying especially for solar panels, the building is structurally sound, and despite its significant scope for replacing windows, if not as much for fitout, could easily be undertaken in sections to reduce funding requirements
is slightly above the village next to a middle school thus could have some noise intrusion at break time, has both a roadway below the school (excellent spot for street art), and steps down past the church directly into the centre
being sold by an association managing it since 2008, purchased in 2013 to transform as a cohousing project, and most recently a brief attempt to transform as a (somewhat grandiose and wishfully state funded) community hub supporting an eco-village on the surrounding hill but no progress was made by the sole founder/custodian
taxes will push the monthly contributions up a bit, but can be mitigated and is still likely to be easily considered excellent value given the location
whilst the size of a hub and would have a full spread of facilities, it would only operate as a minihub as the village is the last before the mountains and there'd be low demand for public access coworking, nontheless good opportunity for infrequent events
the property has been declared insalubrious possibly with a prohibtion of habitation likely only due to a lack of effective plumbing, unsealed doors and windows, and lack of heating; all of which can be rectified without undue effort (at least in part), however the specific details need confirming, nonetheless part use is unlikely to be an issue during works once the basics are in place
(for those interested in grander projects, 6ha of adjoining land can be purchased, partly buildable, but €200k)
…towards ownership and use in any property. Email jacob@hub.house, Whatsapp, or join the Facebook group. Refer your circle for discounted shares.