Multi-tenant dwelling

Abstract

In one aspect of the invention, a multi-tenant dwelling creates the illusion of a single tenant dwelling when viewed from an associated thoroughfare. In one embodiment, the dwelling includes a generally T-shaped structure with three discrete units, each having a separate exterior walk-through entrance. Preferably, only one of these entrances is in the front facade and fully exposed to the thoroughfare (or rather, two of the entrances are obscured), which thus gives the appearance of a single tenant structure when in fact the dwelling is adapted for simultaneously housing three different tenants. In addition to a subdivision comprised of many such dwellings, plans, instructions, methods, and kits for forming such a dwelling are also disclosed, as is a dwelling in which two generally perpendicular upstanding interior walls together separate three discrete living units.

1 . A multi-tenant dwelling, comprising: 
 a first unit having a first exterior walk-through entrance;    a second unit having a second exterior walk-through entrance;    a third unit having a third exterior walk-through entrance;    wherein the strategic positioning of the first, second, and third exterior entrances creates a visual illusion of a single-tenant dwelling.    
   
   
       2 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , wherein only one entrance is visible from a vantage point taken along a generally horizontal straight line touching or intersecting all three units.  
   
   
       3 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , wherein a first generally vertical wall is common to the first, second, and third units.  
   
   
       4 . The dwelling of  claim 3 , wherein a second generally vertical wall is common to the second and third units.  
   
   
       5 . The dwelling of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second common walls are generally perpendicular.  
   
   
       6 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , wherein the first, second, and third units form a T-shaped structure.  
   
   
       7 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first, second, and third units includes an interior area selected from the group consisting of a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom, and a garage.  
   
   
       8 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , further including a porch touching the ground associated with each of the first, second, and third entrances, wherein each porch is obscured from the other.  
   
   
       9 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , wherein the first unit includes means for creating the illusion of the single-tenant dwelling.  
   
   
       10 . The dwelling of  claim 1 , wherein the second and third units are mirror images of each other.  
   
   
       11 . A subdivision including a plurality of dwellings of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       12 . A method of providing living quarters for human occupants, comprising the step of constructing the dwelling of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       13 . A kit including instructions or plans for constructing the dwelling of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       14 . A multi-tenant dwelling adjacent a thoroughfare, comprising: 
 a first unit having a first exterior walk-through entrance;    a second unit connected to the first unit and having a second exterior walk-though entrance; and    a third unit connected to either the first or second unit and having a third exterior walk-through entrance;    wherein only one of the entrances is formed in a front facade of the dwelling adjacent the thoroughfare.    
   
   
       15 . The dwelling of  claim 14 , wherein only the first entrance is visible from a vantage point along or between first and second rays extending toward the thoroughfare, said rays being generally parallel each other and the ground.  
   
   
       16 . The dwelling of  claim 15 , wherein the first unit includes a garage at least partially visible from the vantage point, said garage having a door and an associated driveway connected to the thoroughfare.  
   
   
       17 . A multi-tenant dwelling including two generally perpendicular upstanding interior walls that together define three separate living units, each living unit having a corresponding exterior walk-through entrance formed in an outer wall of the dwelling.  
   
   
       18 . The dwelling according to  claim 17 , wherein each living unit includes a bathroom.  
   
   
       19 . The dwelling of  claim 17 , wherein only one of the entrances is formed in a front facade of the dwelling.  
   
   
       20 . The dwelling of  claim 17 , wherein each entrance includes a hinged door.  
   
   
       21 . The dwelling of  claim 17 , wherein each entrance faces a different direction.  
   
   
       22 . The dwelling of  claim 17 , wherein a first of the upstanding interior walls is generally parallel to a front facade of the dwelling.  
   
   
       23 . The dwelling of  claim 17 , wherein a first upstanding interior wall contacts first and second outer walls of the dwelling and a second upstanding interior wall contacts the first interior wall and a third outer wall of the dwelling.