The concept of condominium ownership, where individuals own their unit within a larger building or complex while sharing ownership of common areas, dates back further than one might expect. While the term "condominium" itself has Latin roots, the earliest documented instances of this form of ownership can be traced to ancient civilizations.

Scholars have found evidence of condominium-like arrangements in first-century Babylon, where documents describe the sale of individual dwellings within a multi-story structure. Ancient Rome also saw the development of similar housing structures, with laws allowing for individual ownership of units within multi-family buildings.

In more recent history, the modern concept of condominiums emerged in the mid-20th century, with the first condominium law passed in Puerto Rico in 1958. The first condominium in the continental United States was built in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 1960.

While pinpointing the exact origin of the first condominium project remains a topic of debate among scholars, the historical evidence suggests that this form of ownership has a long and rich history, spanning ancient civilizations and evolving into the modern concept we know today.