A short-term rental community is under construction, but these aren’t just any homes.
Tiny homes are becoming big business for builder Zach Punnett, who is creating America’s first Boxabl Airbnb community in Stillwater, OK.
Boxabl, a Las Vegas–based technology company, specializes in factory-built, foldable modular housing.
Elon Musk made headlines in 2022 by revealing that he owns a Boxabl tiny home.
“Factory-built tiny homes like Boxabl apply automotive assembly-line logic to housing, producing units in hours rather than years at lower prices,” says Realtor.com® senior economic research analyst Hannah Jones.
“The foldable design solves the historic shipping problem of modular construction, allowing two units to fit on a single truck while arriving completely finished and built to resist weather, mold, and fire,” Jones continues.
“The model works across multiple use cases, including backyard ADUs, affordable housing communities, vertical duplexes, and short-term rentals, making it one practical and scalable response to the country’s shortage of over 4 million homes.”
The inspiration for the project
Punnett, who has been a builder for 20 years, tells Realtor.com, “About eight years ago, I started looking hard at the future of homebuilding—especially the growing skilled-labor shortage we’re all facing. In 2021, I came across Boxabl and was immediately impressed by their factory-built, unfolding technology. It just made perfect sense: complete quality control, incredible speed, and durability that traditional stick-built homes can’t match.”
His first Boxabl project consisted of 12 stacked Casita units built for a nonprofit organization in Oklahoma City in 2025.
And now he’s focusing on the development he calls “Pasadera”—a 12-unit Boxabl Casita Airbnb park on about 3 acres, roughly 11 minutes from the Oklahoma State University campus.
“It’s designed as a peaceful, resort-style retreat with fully furnished units perfect for OSU football weekends, parents visiting students, business travelers, and short- or mid-term stays,” he says.
Two years in the making
Punnett’s been developing this project since 2024. “Speed wasn’t necessarily our focus on this project since it’s a pilot project and we are the first to utilize the Boxabl Casitas in this way,” he says.
Why did he decide to go with Boxabl for this?
“Traditional construction is getting tougher every year with labor shortages and rising costs,” says Punnett. “Boxabl solves that by delivering homes that are already 95% finished from the factory. They’re fast, extremely durable against wind, water, mold, fire, and insects, and the unfolding system is a game-changer for multiunit projects like this.”
How a Boxabl home works
Punnett says the biggest advantages to buying a Boxabl home like this are speed, quality, and cost predictability. “Because they’re built in a controlled factory environment, you get consistent craftsmanship with no weather delays,” he explains. “They’re highly energy-efficient, extremely strong with steel-frame and panelized construction, and resistant to extreme Oklahoma weather.”
He says that for buyers or developers, you also get turnkey delivery—with minimal on-site labor and the ability to stack or place them on smaller lots. “Overall it’s a faster, more affordable, and higher-quality way to build,” he explains.
Once the site is prepped with foundation and utilities, Punnett says that a Boxabl Casita arrives folded in a box on a flatbed truck. On site, a crane or telehandler lifts the unit onto a preprepared concrete slab or foundation.
“Then the floor lowers and the walls and roof unfold in a smooth, engineered sequence—usually in less than an hour,” he says. “Once unfolded, the unit is bolted down to the foundation for stability and code compliance. Then we connect water, electric, sewer, and do any final exterior trim. It’s incredibly efficient and clean.”
According to Punnett, the total installation can be completed in about a week or two—”assuming you are not adding any additional features like a traditional roof structure or cladding to the units,” he says.
As for pricing, Punnett says the base Casita studio unit is around $60,000 from Boxabl. “With shipping, foundation, utility hookups, installation, and our site amenities, the all-in cost per unit lands around $125,000,” he says.
In contrast, the median listing price for a home in Stillwater is $327,500.
Airbnb community opening later this month
Punnett says that Pasadera is slated to open April 30, and that units will likely rent from $125 to $160 per night for short-term rentals.
“We also plan to have a few units dedicated to accommodate mid-term rentals up to three months,” he says.
The picturesque Pasadera grounds have a pond and a fountain for guests to enjoy.
“The pond looks amazing in the evening with the fountain installed, and we even plan to stock it with fish for a nice resort feel,” he says. “Those amenities are going to make Pasadera really special for guests.”
Next, Punnett will shift his focus to the event center that he is building at the front of the property. “The Pasadera Event Center will host weddings and corporate gatherings,” he says.
After having such a positive experience, Punnett firmly believes more and more people will start working with Boxabl in the future.
“The housing industry is facing a massive labor shortage, and factory-built homes like Boxabl are the smart, scalable solution,” he says. “As more people experience the quality, speed, and cost advantages, I think you’ll see Boxabl communities popping up all over—especially for affordable housing, ADUs, and hospitality projects like this one.”
