ADUs might be the acronym of our time. In cities nationwide, they’re popping up as functional yet stylish answers to the affordable housing crisis—and in our area they're especially popular with design-forward homeowners and urban visionaries. Sometimes called backyard cottages, in-law suites or garage apartments, these 250–1,300-square-foot self-contained spaces are built on the same lot as a main home. Think of them as a modern-day carriage house: compact, versatile and brimming with potential.
For Calin Noonan, founder of CASK Construction, what started as an experimental house hack became a blueprint for something bigger. After purchasing a home in St. Pete with an existing ADU, he discovered that renting out the small unit covered his mortgage and bills—giving him the confidence to launch his own company. CASK is now one of several local builders helping ADUs come to life throughout the region.
“First- and second-time homebuyers are facing serious affordability issues,” Noonan says. “But if a home can bring in $20,000–$30,000 per year in rental income, suddenly it becomes financially attainable to buy in the neighborhood they love.”
Meanwhile, for older homeowners, ADUs offer flexibility without sacrificing connection.
“We just completed a project where the parents, in their late 70s, moved into the ADU while their son took over the main house,” he shares. “For many families, it’s about figuring out now where Mom and Dad want to be five years from now.”
Other local builders are encountering similar situations. Suzanne Van Selow, president of Van Selow Design, says the goal is often to bring loved ones close—without crowding anyone’s independence.
“We’re doing high-end ADU builds where the primary purpose is giving a family member a private space,” she offers.
For instance, a recent project involved two sisters in Seminole, one of whom is caring for the other. Despite a tight lot with an easement, pool and generator, Van Selow fit a 630-square-foot ADU with a shared courtyard on the property—giving both sisters comfort and privacy.
Another notable project was designed for a young man with paralysis.. The 1,400-square-foot ADU, behind his parents’ home, includes two bathrooms, a kitchenette, a custom bed with lift access, space for an assistant and a ramp to an enclosed patio.
“It’s his space, but he’s close to the people who care for him,” Van Selow explains. “That’s what ADUs can do. It’s about keeping the family together.”For creative homeowners, ADUs also offer a design playground. Julia Howard, Senior Art Director at the Dali Museum, and her husband, Stephen Thomas, VP of Social Impact at the Tampa Bay Rays, saw a lot
of potential behind their Historic Kenwood bungalow.
“We live in a neighborhood with garages in the back,” Howard notes. “CASK Construction helped us see how cool it would be to have a storage space on the bottom and a livable unit on top that could serve more people.”
The couple originally used their ADU to host family and friends after the birth of their daughter.
“Our front house is a 2/1, so it was great to have space for guests that wasn’t right next to a crying baby,” she adds.
At 1,000 square feet, the two-bedroom, one-bathroom ADU is full of warm, airy energy—cohesively grounded by deliberate attention to furniture scale, generously proportioned windows and a minimalist layout.
“I wanted a full Japandi-style space with built-ins and storage tucked into everything,” Howard shares. “Building an ADU is all about compromise and communication. I had to let go of my 10-foot ceilings, but we still accomplished a smart design.”
Many of the finishing touches—including curated vintage art sourced from neighborhood sales, help the space reflect the soul of Kenwood itself.
“Part of the fun is solving the puzzle,” CASK’s Jeff Azcona says. “How do we lay this out on the property? How do we maximize the footprint so it doesn’t feel cramped? Even in our 350-square-foot units, the way the kitchen, living room and bedroom flow together feels open and livable.”
“Working with microspaces teaches you quickly that things like a hallway can kill a plan,” Noonan adds. “Vaulted ceilings, pocket doors, and even just 30 extra square feet can make a space feel bigger. The way stairs enter, how doors swing, how the kitchen is arranged—these details matter.”
ADUs aren’t limited to guest suites and apartments—CASK has built gyms, home offices, recording studios and pottery workshops for their clients.
Howard’s advice for anyone dreaming of building an ADU?
“Hold on to your vision,” she asserts. “There will be adjustments, but if you stay focused, you’ll see it through. And find a contractor you feel good communicating with—because when it’s time to problem solve, that relationship really matters.”
Across our community, backyard living has become a future-forward lifestyle upgrade—with ADUs, studios and flexible outdoor structures transforming underused lots into valuable extensions of the home. No longer just bonus space, these thoughtfully designed additions are creating opportunities for multi-generational living, rental income, creative work and a way to grow in place.
