Standard Pacific Homes Expands Hacienda Offices

By Scott Eldredge, Hacienda Network Staff Writer

Community Involvement Grows as Company's Projects Increase in Number

Standard Pacific Homes has literally expanded through the ceiling of its Hacienda office at 3825 Hopyard Road. In its 18 years at this location, the company had grown to occupy an entire wing of the building. But while playing a leading role in the thriving California housing market, the Pleasanton office found itself in a situation like the cobbler with no time to fix his own shoes. Busy building homes for its customers, it had grown to the walls in its own house.

When an additional 11,000 square feet on the floor above became available, Standard Pacific took it, aided by the owner's willingness to work with them by adding a new internal staircase. However, their new 25,000 square foot office is not likely to serve them for another 18 years. The company is in a active growth phase.

"When I joined the company five years ago," says Jim Berson, vice president of Sales and Marketing, "there were 60 people in the office. By 2004 there were 98, and now we have 150. There's already talk of needing more space."

The East Bay division covers a region roughly bounded by Pleasanton, Oakland, Santa Rosa, Vacaville, Oakley, and Tracy. Standard Pacific currently has 9 actively selling communities and 12 under construction in this area.

Standard Pacific prides itself on the design and quality of its homes, which it offers in a broad price range and with many design features to suit the demographics of an area.

"We encourage buyers to customize their homes to best fit their lifestyle," Berson explains. "A buyer may want a room suited to a particular hobby, for example, painting, and want a bedroom configured as a loft for better light. We don't build custom homes, but for each development, we do try to offer a range of options that allows buyers to create homes that really reflect their needs."

Standard Pacific Homes takes an active part in the communities in which it builds. Any discussion of company growth includes the four-decade involvement of the corporation and its employees with organizations such as the American Cancer Society and Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. As a homebuilder, it contributes to HomeAid and Habitat for Humanity and numerous shelter programs for victims of circumstance, abuse, and disaster.

Standard Pacific was one of only a few local builders invited to participate in the holiday fundraising for Habitat for Humanity. Employees built a playhouse that was auctioned at Blackhawk Plaza, raising $15,000. Last year the company created what it calls StanPac Scholars - high school seniors who receive $1000 scholarships to continue their education. The awards are given in each of the 25 Northern California communities in which Standard Pacific builds.

"There are different facets to our growth," Berson summarizes. "We are growing not only in our home building but also our community involvement. We're proud of the homes we build, and also of how we give back to the communities in the Bay Area."

Photo: Jim Whalen, area construction manager, and Sean Webber, assistant superintendent, move the company's playhouse into Blackhawk Plaza prior to its auction for Habitat for Humanity.

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