Priced out of a front-attached garage home? A condo apartment too small for your needs? The duplex may be the answer.

Edmonton’s homebuilders have different names for the duplex. Some call it a side-by-side home, a semi-detached (or semi-attached) home, or even a paired home. No matter what it is called, its flexibility, functionality, and perhaps most importantly, its affordability has made it a perennial best-seller.

A duplex is a single structure featuring two residences, each with its own private entrance and one shared wall (there is a gap between the adjoining walls of the homes to lessen sound transfer). Each home is individually owned, and unlike townhomes, have no condo fees. It’s twice the nice at half the price.

“A duplex home offers a balance between privacy, potential income (basement suite opportunities) and affordability while enjoying a spacious home that’s your own,” says Lindsey Wachowicz, Brookfield Residential Senior Marketing Manager, Edmonton.

“This type of home is typically more affordable than a laned or front garage home making it a great option for first-time buyers or those looking to enter the real estate market,” she adds. “Certain costs, such as maintenance, roofing, or landscaping, can also be shared with the owner of the other side, reducing the financial responsibility. There are also no condo fees.”

Dalayce Keen, Sales Manager, Jayman BUILT Edmonton, agrees. “Semi-attached homes offer an affordable option to help you enter the housing market. These home types are also a great investment opportunity with optional legal suites.”

Besides its inherent affordability, the flexibility duplex homes offer homebuyers is just as integral to its appeal. There have been instances where families buy both units so the parents can live in one household and the kids in the next.

Duplexes continue to be a best-seller for homebuilders as they are seen as an attractive alternative to condos or townhomes, and many are readily available in Edmonton’s best communities. We spoke with a couple of homebuilders to find out just exactly what the attraction is to this home.

Brookfield Residential

When purchasing a Brookfield Residential duplex home, Wachowicz says buyers can expect open-concept living that offers plenty of personal space and perfect for entertaining.

“Our duplex homes include premium upgrades built in such as quartz countertops, nine-foot ceiling on the main floor, Luxury Vinyl Plank & Luxury Vinyl Tile flooring. Not to mention, every home is Built Green certified including energy efficient features such as triple pane windows, HRV, and Low-VOC materials ensuring with every home, you can count on lasting value, greater comfort, and peace of mind.”

Currently in Edmonton, Brookfield Residential has four available models ranging from 1,424- to 1,769-square-feet. “They all have 3 bedrooms with 2.5 baths; however, a basement development or basement suite provides the opportunity for an additional bedroom and bathroom. Two models come included with a single attached garage, while the other two models feature a double attached garage,” she says.

The Mackay duplex is their best-selling mode, currently. It is a showhome in The Orchards and has been in high demand since it opened in April 2024, Wachowicz says. “This 1,728 sq. ft. home features a double front attached garage, an upper bonus room, central kitchen, walk through mudroom to pantry, and upper floor laundry.”

Brookfield Residential currently offers duplexes in Chappelle Gardens, The Orchards, and Edgemont. “Our duplexes are on conventional lots,” she adds.

“Because of the flexibility of the floorplans and space for a growing family, we are seeing a variety of family structures purchasing duplexes. Because of their affordability, majority of our demographic are first time homebuyers.” Duplex homes start from the $450s, she adds.

Find out more at brookfieldresidential.com.

Jayman BUILT

Jayman BUILT is one of Alberta’s most awarded homebuilders, with several Builder of the Year awards to its name, and their line of duplex homes follows their tried-and-true formula of uncompromising quality.

Their models stand out in other ways too. “Jayman offers an exclusive semi-attached product type, with optional detached rear garages, which are rare for this built form,” Keen says. “An excellent choice if you are a snowbird or looking to downsize or for young families, with up to 3 bedrooms and developed basement options!”

Jayman’s semi-attached homes come standard with smart home technology system including smart locks, cameras, doorbell, lights and more. Their Core Performance specifications outfit the home with 10 solar panels, tankless hot water heater, triple pane windows, high efficiency furnace with ultraviolet air purification, active heat recovery ventilator and more.

Jayman BUILT currently offers their semi-attached homes in Marquis West, and the pioneer pricing package they have here adds to the appeal. “It’s one of the best prices in the Edmonton marketplace, which ensures buyers that the home’s equity will grow with the community,” she adds.

They have five semi-attached models available, ranging from 1,038- to 1,441 square-feet. Available are two- and three-bedroom models. One has a flex room on main floor with a bonus room upstairs. They can come with either 1 ½ bath or 2 ½ baths, and an option to have a single or double detached rear garage.

An additional feature of their semi-attached homes is the unique party wall design. “We build a party wall which is essentially two walls side by side which are insulated, with gypsum board which is a fireproof non-combustible drywall and tin at the floor and ceiling to prevent the spread of noise, fire, or smoke,” Keen says.

Getting popular is the Juniper model, which features a flex room at the back of the home, with a bonus room upstairs. It is 1,441 square-feet and can accommodate a two-bedroom legal suite in the basement.

She says that the range of buyers for their semi-attached homes ranges from first-time homebuyers to downsizers. “Buyers are either 20-30 with no kids or small kids not yet in school, or 40-50 downsizing with kids moved out or have independent kids who still live at home but leaving soon.”

Prices start below $400,000 including GST, on zero-lot lines in Marquis West. For more information, go tojayman.com.