What is a Streng Halfplex?
A Streng Bros Halfplex has two owners under one roof sharing a common wall.
The Streng Bros built thousands of homes in the Sacramento and Davis area. A large portion of these are halfplexes. What is a halfplex? What makes the Streng Bros versions unique?
A halfplex consists of two units with separate owners under one roof. They share a common wall which divides the two properties. This is not a duplex which usually has one owner with two separate units under one roof, often in a two story building with a unit on each floor.
In most Streng developments the halfplexes are mixed in with single family detached homes. Two of the Streng developments in Sacramento are primarily halfplexes. River City Commons in South Natomas and River College Square near American River College consist almost entirely of halfplexes with a few single family homes mixed in. Each has a homeowners association (HOA) with common area parks, pools and sports courts. Evergreen Commons has primarily single family homes but there are two streets with halfplexes. Evergreen Commons also has an HOA with swimming pools, a basketball court and large private park. HOA fees in these developments currently run between $70 and $95 per month.
Many Streng Bros halfplexes have atriums.
The smaller development of Scranton Circle in Carmichael has many halfplexes. There are several halfplexes in Williamson Ranch in Elk Grove, almost all on the corners where two streets meet. Davis and Woodland have many halfplexes as well.
Streng Bros halfplexes consist of two units side-by-side under one roof with a shared wall between them. There are generally two types of Streng halfplexes. Three bedroom with two baths and two bedroom with two baths. Square footage commonly varies from 1200 to 1400 square feet. Units usually have one covered space for parking, either a garage or a carport. While the garages can make a place more valuable, I have found them narrow and rarely used for parking, rather people use them as storage.
In general the front of the house is narrow toward the street with the garage or carport and the primary bedroom suite in the front. Entry is from a narrow sidewalk along the side of the unit about a third to halfway to the back. When you walk into the halfplex, and turn toward the front you proceed to the primary suite with a bedroom and a small bath with a shower. In the three bedroom models you see a laundry room, two bedrooms and another bathroom that is larger with a full bathtub. In the back of the house is the living room dining and kitchen area forming a great room. This great room has lots of light with sliding doors leading to the back yard. Many have a vaulted ceiling with large triangular clear story windows and light pouring in.
Vaulted ceilings and clerestory windows bring lots of light into this Streng Brothers halfplex.
With the two bedroom models you enter farther back on the side. Often into the great room with a large skylight atrium entry with plant-filled planters. (Read our article about atrium homes.) These halfplexes have a larger common area space with the living room and kitchen. This great room also opens to the back yard. The primary suite is in the front of the house. A second bedroom, laundry room and bedroom are along the hallway leading to the primary in the front.
Back yards are generally small, but private. I have seen some great back yard spaces. Streng halfplexes have the same indoor/outdoor vibe we all love about Streng homes.
Halfplexes generally are much less expensive than single family homes in the same area. This can be very appealing to first time home buyers. If you want to get an mcm home for less money, consider a Streng Halfplex. I would be glad to tell you more and show you halfplexes currently on the market. Please email me or give me a call.
The back yards in Streng halfplexes are not shared and can be a private sanctuary. Many are spacious and homey.
