Is this space anything to work with?

[alden]

Our house is on a steep hill. There’s currently a retaining wall that has been there since the late 70’s when the house was built that provides a parking space about the size of a one car garage.

I’d love to finish this by completing the walls on three sides up to the same level and then closing it in with a nice roof and garage door. Obviously I need to get a contractor out to give me some estimates etc and it needs concrete poured for a decent floor, but I’m curious for opinions on whether or not this is something that even looks feasible.

Im trying to not have to replace the entire wall etc, and hoping to get a small garage for relatively little money, but I’m worried it’s not going to be dried out since at one point in time there were drains from the hill above that ran into the parking space (small 2” pips that open at the base of the back wall which clogged long ago and now it looks like something is living in one since it keeps getting dug out).

I’m also wondering how I could tell if this block was setup for the extra load of more block and a roof.

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[matt_i]

I think you're going to have to consult building and zoning first, it looks like the front of the building will be right up against the sidewalk and the setback requirements may not be met.

Past that I believe it will be forevermore wet and damp without a good way to mitigate other than to tear it out and build as if it was a basement....

 

[Stuart in MN]

Every day I drive past a garage that's built just like what you're proposing, so it's possible. However, as said above you need to check local rules about setbacks from the street first.

 

[BoostAddiction]

I'm not a concrete engineer, but it looks like you already have some serious structural problems. If that is true, I'd address them before trying to convert it to a garage.

As others have said, you may have issues with setback requirements.

 

[Red 17]

Add roof and door to that: Enduring misery.

Dig it out and make a proper building: Enduring utility, albeit at an enduring cost.

 

[Daniel Dudley]

Drop a metal cargo box in there if you want utility. You can't build off of that.

 

[CombatNinja]

That looks trashed. Forget about it.

 

[Kevkx125]

There is a thread on here about a very similar garage but can't remember the name. Any thing is possible mite have to start from scratch.

 

[johnnyradiant]

With setback rules and building code changes since it was originally constructed I doubt you could do anything with it, without lots of hurdles. The biggest hurdle might be your property line. The picture of the neighbourhood suggests the city's road allowance is likely wider than your side of their sidewalk. It might be half-way or all the way to the deep end of your parking spot. There is a sorta square box in one of the pictures is that maybe a hint as to where your front lot line would line up with?

 

[HotRodBoater]

It'd be cool to tunnel into the hillside and have that wall be the entrance to your very own Batcave

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[volleyball]

I agree tearing that out and building a proper garage would be best. It would raise your property value as well as be useful.
But sometimes you need something cheap.
That drain looks like it drains your yard into the "garage" not out. Could explain why the walls are edging in.
With no concrete, you could build wood walls up from the existing concrete and then put a shed roof on it. Since you are not tearing out setback should be grandfathered. And when it does collapse in you won't be out that much.

 

[TriumphFan]

What is that shelf-looking thing all about?
I'm with the others... I don't think you can or would want to build anything there other than a carport like structure.

 

[Perrorojo]

Am I the only one thinking it's an entrance to a secret underground lair?

 

[ez-duzit]

...Im trying to not have to replace the entire wall etc, and hoping to get a small garage for relatively little money...

Forgetaboutit.

 

[alden]

I appreciate the dose of reality, folks. Thank you for your insight [emoji846]


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[Aaron_W]

For parking or as a shop? If for parking you could turn it into a carport a lot easier than a garage and most of the issues with it as a garage won't be much of an issue.

 

[bobj49f2]

It'd be cool to tunnel into the hillside and have that wall be the entrance to your very own Batcave

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My brother-in-law did that with a garage that was built into a slight hill in one of their houses. He built a cinder block tunnel from the garage to his basement, about 25'. I don't know if he pulled a permit to do it or even if he had engineering help. He's the type of guy that if he wants to do something he just does it. He and my sister sold the house a few years later and I never heard that they had a problem with it.

 

[txvwnut]

What is that shelf-looking thing all about?
I'm with the others... I don't think you can or would want to build anything there other than a carport like structure.

It’s for where your wife will stand to dump stuff on your car after she finds out you’ve been banging her best friend.