If you’ve ever been to a densely populated urban area like New York City or San Francisco, you’ve likely come across a group of tall, narrow homes with similar or identical exterior architectural features, all attached by shared walls. Think of the brownstones that dot historic Brooklyn neighborhoods or Manhattan’s Upper West Side, Philadelphia’s Trinity homes, or the Queen Anne–style buildings found across Washington, D.C., and Chicago. All these properties are known as “row homes,” a home style that originated in Europe centuries ago. Though row homes are far from a new concept, they are experiencing a renaissance amongst current buyers who are prioritizing affordability, sustainability, urban living, and community lifestyles in their home search. Read on to learn the key features and benefits of purchasing a row home, and peek inside some of the move-in-ready properties City Homes is building in the Twin Cities.
What is a row home?
A row home is a type of single-family dwelling that sits in a continuous line and shares at least one wall, and sometimes a roof, with neighboring homes. Row homestypically have their own entrances and outdoor spaces, and some may have private garages or driveways. Designed to fit a couple of units on one plot of land, row homes often feature two or three stories to optimize vertical space rather than width. Row homes are a category of home style City Homes refers to as the “missing middle”—properties that bridge the gap between single-family homes and large apartment buildings. These homes play an important role in their communities by not only serving diverse populations with a mix of housing options but also encouraging social interaction, supporting local businesses, promoting sustainability, and enhancing the overall livability of cities.
What are the benefits of row homes?
Row homes can be a great option for empty-nesters ready to downsize, young professionals looking for their own space, and anyone who values thoughtful, well-designed, sustainable living. Some benefits of row homes include:
- Affordability: Between shared construction materials and land, row homes are often less expensive than detached single-family homes.
- Energy efficiency: The shared side walls with neighboring units means less heat escapes, making row homes easier to heat in the winter and cool in the summer. This can lead to lower energy bills.
- Sense of community: In row homes, neighbors live in close proximity to each other, fostering community and connection.
- Location: Row homes are often built for urban living in areas that feature greater walkability and access to amenities like shops, restaurants, parks, and libraries.
- Less maintenance: A smaller outdoor area translates to less maintenance when it comes to tasks like mowing and shoveling.
- Space efficiency: Row homes may have a smaller horizontal footprint, but every square foot of vertical space is maximized and designed with purpose. (1)
What should you consider before purchasing a row home?
While row homes offer many benefits, they may not fit every lifestyle. Before purchasing a row home, consider these points:
- Less privacy: While having a built-in community of neighbors that live right next door is appealing to some, others may prefer more privacy and less noise offered by traditional detached homes.
- Less customization: Row homes’ exteriors are intentionally designed to look identical, leaving less room for homeowners to choose materials like siding, paint color, and window trim.
- Smaller outdoor space: Since two or more homeowners share the land, outdoor space is often divided into smaller front lawns, backyards, and, sometimes, rooftop terraces.
- Limited expansion opportunities: While remodeling or expanding a row home is not impossible, the shared walls and smaller lot footprint make construction more difficult, so careful planning is key. (1)
What row home options are offered by City Homes?
City Homes strives to fill the “missing middle” housing category with its new collection of modern row homes. These move-in-ready homes in Minneapolis and Edina highlight the best of urban living, combining contemporary style and luxury finishes. City Homes has three row home properties:
- ROW at Upton: Steps from Lake Harriet in Minneapolis, ROW at Upton blends modern elegance with everyday comfort in its 2,347-square-foot twin row homes. Light-filled interiors, functional layouts, and premium finishes define the three-bedroom, three-bathroom layouts.
- ROW at Valley View: High-end finishes, top-tier appliances, and luxury fixtures are some of the features you’ll find inside these three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bathroom row homes, each sitting between 2,700 to 3,100 square feet, in Edina.
- ROW at 50th: With 50th and France just down the road, ROW at 50th in Edina embraces refined city living. Four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms make up the 2,590-square-foot floorplans, complete with chef’s kitchens, spa-inspired primary suites, and dedicated office spaces.
Though each City Homes row home property has its own distinct style, all units have the same foundational features, such as private owner’s levels, open-concept main floors for gathering, and lower levels for entertaining. Further elevating the spaces are thoughtful design details and amenities which includes wet bars, rooftop decks, ample windows that allow for natural light, and even optional elevators that ensure these homes can evolve with the owners and be enjoyed for years to come. (1) https://plan7architect.com/row-house-definition-pros-cons-features-and-key-differences-ai1/?v=0b3b97fa6688
