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A Custom Detached Garage Built Into the Hillside in West Chester, PA

Image of a home with a custom two-story garage built to match the home in West Chester by Thompson Communities

A Returning Family With a Bigger Dream

Some of our favorite projects start with a familiar face. We built this family's first home years ago, so when they moved into a larger property in West Chester, they knew exactly who to call.

This time, the wish list looked a little different. The homeowner is a passionate car collector, and rather than pay month after month to lease storage space somewhere else, he wanted to keep his collection where he could enjoy it: right on his own property.

The new home had the land to make it possible. What it needed was a detached garage built to do far more than park a couple of cars. Our team at Thompson Communities designed and built an oversized, conditioned detached garage with storage above, a space that fits the cars, the work area, and the property itself. The result looks like it has always belonged there.

Designed to Look Like It Was Always There

One of our favorite parts of this project is how naturally the garage settles into its surroundings. We built it into the existing hillside, so instead of feeling like a new addition, it reads as part of the original property.

The carriage-style doors, the stone base, the cupola, and the weathervane all echo the character of the main home, tying the two structures together as if they were planned at the same time.

Matching a new build to an established home takes intention. Every detail here, from the siding profiles to the rooflines, was chosen to carry the look of the main house across the breezeway and onto the garage. It's the kind of cohesion that makes people assume it was all built at once, which is exactly the compliment we were hoping for.

An image of a two-story garage addition built to match the homes design in West Chester by Thompson Communities
Image of imported cars in a custom garage with lifts in West Chester, PA by Thompson Communities

A Garage Built Around the Collection

This is where the project gets unique. We incorporated vehicle lifts so the homeowner can stack his collection vertically, doubling the capacity without doubling the footprint. It's a solution that respects both the cars and the property.

We also carved out a dedicated work area, giving him room to maintain and enjoy the collection rather than just store it.

The space upstairs adds even more flexibility for storage.

Solving the Hard Part, Together

No standout project comes without a hurdle.

To build the garage where it made the most sense, we needed to relocate the property's septic system, which meant requesting waivers from the township. Rather than navigate that quietly, we shared the proposed plan with the neighbors. They loved the idea so much that they attended township meetings in support of the waivers we needed. That kind of community backing speaks to a design that respects the whole street, not just one lot.

With approvals in hand, we delivered an outstanding property feature that's designed specifically for our clients.

Image of the custom two-story garage with side access with stairs in West Chester, PA by Thompson Communities
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Where We Work

At Thompson Communities, we proudly serve homeowners across West Chester and the surrounding areas. Our commitment to quality and personalized service has made us a trusted name in Chester, Delaware, New Castle, and Cape May Counties. Whether you’re building your dream home or transforming your current space, we bring our expertise to the communities we know and love.

Don’t see your location? Contact us today to see if we serve your area. We’re always expanding and would love to discuss your project!

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What Our Clients Think

"From beginning to end, my experience with Thompson Communities was fabulous!  We hired their home improvement division, headed by Matt Thompson, to do a build out of our 1800 sq ft basement.  Complete with sliding barn doors, fitness room, media room and kitchenette, it turned out even better than imagined!  I would highly recommend Matt and his crew for any and all home improvement projects."

Jill

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"We have just moved into our Thompson home in Delaware. We have been impressed by the materials they use, their design, and attention to detail. Upgraded trim, 8 ft. Interior doors, stone countertops, and hardwood combine to create a feeling of luxury and comfort. Thompson works with their customers to create the options and design changes that make each of the homes in our community unique. We would recommend Thompson to anyone looking for a quality home, built with care, to their specifications."

Steve

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What Our Clients Think

"We hired Thompson Communities to redo our kitchen. They were insightful on the layout and coloring and provided excellent ideas on how to make the most of our space and budget.  
From start to finish, the project took 18 days.  18 days.  I have had other contractors do jobs and they usually drag on for months. We were concerned about this one because it was our kitchen.  But the team from Thompson knocked this out in an amazing timeline with jaw dropping results.

I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to complete a project. I have used them for another project and am getting ready to start my 3rd.  My opinion is that Thompson Communities are consummate professionals and are the level that other contractors should strive to meet."

Walsh

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"We love our new home in Heritage Village.  The quality, value and the standard features that are other builder's upgrades cannot compare to Thompson Communities!!  Best new construction we ever bought!!"

Natalie

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"Thompson installed two built in units in our home - one in the family room and one in an office. They were installed professionally - all employees were professional and courteous while in our home. We couldn't been happier with how they turned out... we did have one very small issue with one of the built ins -  however when the issue was discovered - it was quickly remedied by Thompson. We would certainly use Thompson again."

Kerry

Custom Built-Ins

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