Get 2X the Sunlight with a "Drive-Under" Design
- Lindsay Holden
- Sep 18
- 5 min read
INSIDE: The Secret Feature That Floods these Main Floors with Light
A new Cochrane showhome coming to Greystone flips the design of front-drive homes.
Paradiso Homes presents an elevated design that raises the main floor, and flips the front garage down into the basement level.
The layout means you get more daylight from windows on the front and back of the main floor, solving the problem of front-drive garages sharing a wall with the front of the home, and blocking the chance for window light or a view to the street.
Why Cochrane Buyers Love This New Floorplan
Most front-drive homes follow a simple formula: garage in front, one wall for windows at the back, and almost everything on the main floor oriented towards the rear. In Paradiso’s Greystone models, the main floor is lifted up and over the garage, rearranging the living space so that all four sides are usable. Twice as many windows brighten every corner.
“People walk in and say, ‘Wait, this is the second floor? This feels like a penthouse.' They don’t expect the view or the amount of sunlight,” says Josh Grewal, founder of Paradiso. Their drive-under models are selling out quickly elsewhere in Cochrane and are now available for presale in Greystone.
Moving the garage below the main floor transforms the open layout, increasing the brightness and doubling the view out to the Alberta skies beaming through the glass.
The design is possible in part because of the topography of the street and the lots chosen for this row of homes. The back of the lot is higher than the front, so that garages lead into the basement level landing area and a front door. From here, a flight of steps bring you into the main living area of the home.
Smart Buyers Won’t Settle: Find Top Value in the $600s
The homes raise expectations for home values.
With over 2,300 to 2,700 sq. ft. of living space, the possibility for a three-car garage and three full bedrooms, the drive-under models offer a rare combination: size, style, and substance at a starting price in the high $600s.
With architectural interest in height and presence, the homes are a compelling find for the buyer who appreciates impact.
“The showhome is elevated, open, and full of light," says Grewal. Inside, a 70-inch linear fireplace anchors the main floor with a bold focal point.
Open sightlines from front to back increase the impact of every square foot. Light pours in from sunrise to sunset, creating a warm feeling. A sleek linear kitchen with a walk-in pantry serves up fashion and function, and space for a den is optimal for working from home or homework.
The showhome is planned for 2026, offering a firsthand look at what this segment of the market should deliver for value-conscious buyers: room to grow inside and out, and within a diverse and safe family-oriented community.
The showhome is planned for 2026, offering a firsthand look at what this segment of the market should deliver for value-conscious buyers: room to grow inside and out, and within a diverse and safe family-oriented community.
Walk Out to Level Ground for Privacy
Cochrane's famous foothills are part of the landscape in Greystone, providing opportunities for private outdoor living areas in backyards, which gently slope toward the homes, with a level portion at the rear patio area.
“You’re not stepping down or looking over your fence — you’re walking straight out to a private deck with the hillside behind you. It’s quiet, grounded, and naturally screened. Homeowners can directly walk out to a backyard deck, and the landscape creates a natural sound buffer.
“You get privacy with a hillside. You get more nature surrounding you, a fenced-in space for entertaining or relaxing.”
Covered Front Decks for Year-Round Outdoor Sipping
In front, some models also feature covered decks built over the garage and protected by their own roof, adding both curb appeal and a practical, elevated outdoor space.
From the street, this architectural detail gives the home a modern, multi-dimensional façade. But from the inside, it’s a sheltered spot to enjoy a view or relax on a summer evening while staying protected from the sun or rain.
Unlike many front-drive homes where the garage dominates the front, this design turns the space above it into something most homeowners desire: an innovative, livable and intentional space.
Get More from Your Weekends
Greystone is designed for families and individuals who care about growing with a community of diverse people who share their values. A range of young families, active professionals, and downsizing adults have already established roots in Greystone, sharing a common interest in calm spaces, connection, and access to recreation and the outdoors.
Residents choose Greystone for the abundant outdoor options close by, such as biking Cochrane’s trails, hiking in Kananaskis, playing pickleball or basketball at the Greystone courts, or training at the SLS Rec Centre.
Layouts Feel Bigger Than They Are
Homebuyers in Greystone want a home and community that balances wellness and comfort, says Grewal.
“The plans give you more light, privacy, and livability. It feels good to walk in the door.”
Paradiso’s drive-under collection in Greystone also brings a distinctly modern aesthetic to the neighbourhood streetscape and a striking first impression with these large drive-under garage homes in Cochrane.
A Fresh Look for Cochrane’s Renewed Downtown
Clean rooflines, dark exterior tones, and warm wood-style textures give the homes a West Coast contemporary edge.
From the street, they are impressive and appear as three-storey homes: tall, modern, and layered.
From the back, they appear to be conventional two-storeys.
Rich, natural tones with vertical textures and stepped rooflines reflect a west coast design sensibility, grounded in Cochrane’s mountain-adjacent character.
Deep-hued siding is paired with charcoal trims, warm cedar-toned accents and generous overhangs. Garage doors are more discreet because they are tucked in line with the front facade. Large windows span each of the two floors above, with an optimal sense of scale and rhythm.
Discover the Builder Behind the Design
Paradiso is a family-led home builder rooted in values that stand the test of time: livability, comfort, and light-filled design. With decades of experience in construction, from large custom infills to full-scale residential planning, they bring a thoughtful, intentional approach to every floor plan. Their homes reflect a philosophy of classic simplicity, spacious interiors, and long-lasting materials.
For homebuyers exploring Cochrane's new homes and wanting something that feels unexpected, Paradiso’s lineup of unique drive-under models is worth a closer look.
FAST FACTS: Tour the Paradiso Showhome
📍 Future Showhome at 167 Agate Road, Greystone, Cochrane
💰 From the high $600s
📏 2,300–2,700+ sq ft
🛏️ 3 bedrooms | 2.5 bathrooms
🕑 Opening in 2026
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