Wellbank Modern A Duplex Design from Clover Homes Australia
As Chilliwack grows, we often focus on the large-scale projects—big apartment buildings or townhouse complexes. While these developments are important, they’re not the only solution to our housing challenges. To truly meet the demand for housing and keep it affordable, we need to consider all options, and that includes smaller, flexible choices like duplexes.
Building a mid-rise or massive townhouse complex takes time, resources, and significant planning. But urban infill, especially in existing neighbourhoods, can be handled more efficiently with smaller projects like duplexes. They’re faster to build, easier to finance, and still provide the much-needed housing that Chilliwack requires.
It’s easy to talk about how duplexes could help Chilliwack meet its housing needs, but the real question is: are we actually building them?
The numbers over the past decade paint a clear picture—not many duplexes are being built. In 2014, Chilliwack saw its highest number of duplexes with 30, equaling 60 housing units. But by 2018, that number dropped significantly to just 4 duplexes, and in 2024, only 2 duplex permits have been issued as of August.
So, what’s happening instead? Single-family subdivisions, townhouse complexes, and apartment buildings are taking priority. These larger developments tend to be more profitable, and single-family homes are still the preferred option for many homebuyers.
Duplexes, meanwhile, get stuck in the middle—not as profitable as bigger projects and often overlooked. But as we’ll explore in the next section, duplexes also carry a certain stigma that has held them back from becoming a more widely accepted solution.
Duplexes have had a bit of an image problem. People think they’re less desirable than a traditional single-family home, but if we’re being honest, most of us already share walls in some way—whether it’s condos, townhouses, or other forms of multi-family living. It’s time to see duplexes for what they really are: a smart housing solution.
And with the stunning duplex designs out there today, the old stereotypes just don’t hold up. Architects have created beautiful, modern duplexes that feel like anything but a compromise. In fact, we’re including a gallery in this post showing off some of these designs—you won’t believe they’re duplexes.
So, you own a property with a single-family home in Chilliwack and you’re looking to maximize its potential. You could sell your property as part of a land assembly for a big development, but let’s be real—that process takes years. Developers need time to gather properties, handle financing, and work through endless permits and rezoning.
Or maybe you’ve considered subdividing your lot to build two single-family homes. That’s an option, but it’s an expensive one. You’ll need separate utility hookups, and after all that, zoning setbacks often mean you end up with houses squeezed onto the lot, leaving little room for personality. A duplex can give you the same amount of living space without that cramped, cookie-cutter feel.
Here’s another advantage: duplexes don’t come with strata fees like townhouses do. If you’ve ever lived in a townhouse, you know those fees—sometimes in the hundreds of dollars per month—are meant to cover things like maintenance, garbage, landscaping, and snow removal. While that convenience is nice, it’s also a recurring cost that can add up fast.
With a duplex, you still have the opportunity to share costs with the other owner, but you also have more control. You get to decide how and when to maintain your property—want to mow your own lawn or handle snow removal yourself? Go for it. This kind of setup keeps ownership costs lower compared to townhouses, while still giving you flexibility to share expenses where it makes sense.
It’s also worth noting that building a duplex can be more affordable than constructing two separate single-family homes. You can skip the hassle of subdividing the land and simplify things with just one foundation and one roof, creating two separate living spaces with fewer obstacles along the way.
Plus, there’s no need for the extensive site preparation, parking, and landscaping that comes with building a townhouse complex. All these factors combined make a duplex less expensive to build, while still giving you plenty of living space.
In short, a duplex offers a win-win: lower building costs upfront and fewer ongoing expenses once it’s built.
If you own property in Chilliwack Proper and have laneway access, you’ve got an incredible opportunity on your hands. Laneways are perfect for duplexes because they offer flexible parking options—keeping cars off the street and maintaining that all-important curb appeal. Laneway access also opens up creative design options, like garage suites or back-lane homes, while still leaving plenty of space for outdoor living.
In neighbourhoods like Chilliwack Proper, duplexes can blend right in with the surrounding homes. These areas are already well-established, so adding a duplex with modern design not only fits the character of the neighbourhood, but also enhances it by introducing new, thoughtful housing solutions.
Sardis Park is full of larger residential lots—we’re talking anywhere from a fifth to a quarter of an acre. These lots offer tons of flexibility for duplexes. You could add a second unit at the back of the lot while keeping the original home, or even reconfigure the entire property to maximize both the living space and outdoor areas. The key here is that these lots have enough space to create something special—duplexes that feel like two separate homes while still maintaining plenty of privacy and outdoor room to breathe.
With so many lot configurations possible, duplexes in Sardis Park can give you the density boost while maintaining the suburban feel that families love. It’s a great way to bring more housing into established neighbourhoods without sacrificing charm or space.
And let’s not forget corner lots. These spaces are a unique opportunity to create something that stands out in the neighbourhood. Corner lots often have tricky designs—they don’t always know which way to face. But with a duplex, you can approach the problem differently. Corner lots could act as natural bookends, framing a mixture of densities within a neighbourhood and offering a fresh take on how homes interact with the street.
Modern duplex designs can work wonders on these odd-shaped lots, allowing for clever entrances and giving each unit its own identity. By doing so, duplexes can actually elevate the look and feel of a corner lot, rather than letting it be an awkward afterthought.
You’re an empty nester. You’ve lived in your home for years, you love your neighbourhood, and you’re not ready to leave it behind. Maybe you’re thinking about downsizing but aren’t keen on moving to a townhouse or condo. A reset on your property could give you a fresh, modern living space while letting you stay where you’re comfortable. Plus, building a duplex could bring in rental income or even allow you to sell the other half as part of a small strata—the best of both worlds.
You’re a family looking for flexibility. The kids are growing up, and you’re thinking about how to make better use of your property. A duplex lets you keep that family home feeling while adding more space—or even a second unit for extended family or rental income. It’s a smart move that can help with your mortgage while maintaining your lifestyle.
You’re a property owner who wants more density without the hassle. Rezoning? Subdividing? That’s a lot of work. Building a duplex is a quicker, simpler way to add more housing without jumping through hoops. You get to add value to your property without the lengthy process of rezoning or subdivision.
So why don’t we see more duplexes around Chilliwack? The answer is pretty simple: profit. Developers can often make more money off single-family homes, so that’s where their focus tends to be. There’s also still some stigma around duplexes—the old-fashioned idea that they’re somehow lower quality results in lower demand.
But as housing becomes less affordable, and as people realize how great modern duplexes can look, that’s beginning to change. Duplexes are a smart, stylish, and flexible option for Chilliwack’s future housing needs.
If you’re sitting on a property with laneway access in Chilliwack Proper or a large lot in Sardis Park, now might be the perfect time to consider building a duplex. Whether it’s adding a rental unit, creating a family compound, or investing in a smarter way, duplexes offer a world of possibilities.
