Project spotlight

Unilock Treo Smooth paver driveway
Plymouth, MN

Plymouth, MN
2022
New construction — paver driveway & walkway
2,500+ sq ft · Treo Smooth · Copthorne black border
Completed Unilock Treo Smooth paver driveway with Copthorne black border — custom new construction home — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors 2022
Project overview

A custom home deserved a driveway to match

When a Plymouth homeowner was finishing a custom new construction build, the driveway was never going to be an afterthought. He wanted something that matched the caliber of the home itself — a dramatic black and stone exterior with dark garage doors — and he chose Heritage Outdoors to deliver it.

The project: over 2,500 square feet of Unilock Treo Smooth pavers in a charcoal and grey multi-format pattern, bordered in Copthorne black. A circular turnaround, a front walkway, and a driveway long enough to park two luxury vehicles side by side.

There was one curveball — the foundation was poured 12 inches too high, which required a quick pivot on site to adjust the approach grade. The right equipment and experience meant it didn't cost a day. The result was exactly what the homeowner envisioned from the start.

LocationPlymouth, MN
Project typePaver driveway & walkway
Completed2022
Scale2,500+ square feet
PaverUnilock Treo Smooth, charcoal/grey
BorderUnilock Copthorne, black
FeaturesCircular turnaround, front walkway
ContextNew construction build
Before

A bare construction site. Nothing but potential.

When Heritage Outdoors arrived, the home was still wrapped in Tyvek and the driveway was raw gravel. This is where it starts.

New construction home with gravel driveway before paver installation — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors 2022

Plymouth, MN — new construction site before paver work began · 2022

The challenge

2,500 square feet. One curveball on day one.

01
Foundation poured 12" too high
The builder's foundation came in 12 inches higher than spec. The driveway approach grade had to be reworked on the fly — requiring the right equipment and quick problem-solving to keep the project on schedule.
02
Scale of the job
2,500+ square feet is a significant paver installation — a circular turnaround, a long driveway run, and a front walkway all need to align perfectly. Pattern consistency at this scale requires experience and attention across every stage of the build.
03
Matching a premium home exterior
The black and stone custom exterior, dark garage doors, and high-end landscaping set a standard. The paver selection — Treo Smooth charcoal with Copthorne black border — had to complement all of it without competing with it.
"The foundation came in high and we had to pivot fast. That's just part of working on new construction — things change on site and you have to be ready to adapt without losing a day."
— Jacob · Heritage Outdoors

New construction hardscape requires a different mindset than replacement work. Other trades are still on site, grades are still being established, and the homeowner is watching every decision get made in real time. Heritage Outdoors has the equipment and experience to move when things change — and they do.

The build

From bare dirt to 2,500 square feet of pavers

The full progression — excavation, grading, base compaction, edge restraints, and Treo Smooth pavers laid from the garage apron outward to the street.

Paver driveway excavation and grading single garage bay — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors
Paver driveway full width excavation and grading — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors
Unilock Treo Smooth pavers starting at garage apron — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors
Unilock paver driveway base prep with Copthorne black border edge installed — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors
Unilock Treo Smooth circular turnaround driveway taking shape — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors
Unilock paver driveway nearly complete front view — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors
Unilock Treo Smooth paver driveway with Copthorne black border — street view — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors

Plymouth, MN — full build progression · 2022

The result

Built to perform. Built to impress.

2,500+ square feet of Unilock Treo Smooth with a Copthorne black border — engineered to handle Minnesota winters and designed to make a statement from the moment you turn onto the street.

Base
Full excavation & compacted aggregate
Excavated to proper depth and compacted in lifts with aggregate base — the foundation that will keep these pavers flat and stable through decades of Minnesota freeze-thaw cycles.
Pavers
Unilock Treo Smooth, charcoal/grey
Large-format Treo Smooth in charcoal and grey — a contemporary, tailored look that complements the home's black and stone exterior without competing with it. Multi-piece format adds visual depth across 2,500+ sq ft.
Border & layout
Copthorne black border, circular turnaround
Copthorne black edge restraint wraps the entire perimeter — defining the driveway with a sharp, clean contrast. The circular turnaround adds both function and a premium curb appeal statement.
Completed

From gravel lot to showpiece driveway

The finished driveway — Unilock Treo Smooth in charcoal and grey, Copthorne black border, circular turnaround, and a front walkway — exactly matching the vision for a home built to stand out in Plymouth.

Completed Unilock Treo Smooth paver driveway with Copthorne black border and circular turnaround — Plymouth MN — Heritage Outdoors 2022

Completed Unilock Treo Smooth paver driveway & walkway — Plymouth, MN — 2022 · Heritage Outdoors LLC

"This is the kind of project that reminds us why we do this work. A custom home, a homeowner who knew exactly what he wanted, and a driveway that delivers from the moment you pull up to the house."

— Jacob · Heritage Outdoors · Plymouth, MN
Common questions

Paver driveway questions we hear all the time

How much does a paver driveway cost in the Twin Cities?

Paver driveways in the Twin Cities typically run $25–$45 per square foot installed, depending on paver product, driveway size, base depth required, and site conditions. A premium driveway like this Plymouth project — 2,500+ sq ft of Unilock Treo Smooth with a Copthorne black border — will be toward the higher end. We always provide a free on-site estimate.

What is Unilock Treo Smooth?

Unilock Treo Smooth is a large-format concrete paver with a smooth, contemporary face and a multi-piece design that creates a sophisticated, tailored look. It's an excellent choice for driveways on custom and luxury homes. The Copthorne border is a complementary Unilock product used to create a clean, defined edge — in this case, charcoal grey field pavers with a black Copthorne border.

Are paver driveways worth it in Minnesota?

Yes — paver driveways are one of the best hardscape investments you can make in Minnesota specifically because of the freeze-thaw climate. Unlike poured concrete or asphalt, individual pavers flex with ground movement and can be reset if needed. They also add significant curb appeal and property value. A properly installed paver driveway with adequate base depth will last 25–50 years with minimal maintenance.

How deep does the base need to be for a paver driveway in Minnesota?

In Minnesota, a paver driveway base should be a minimum of 8–12 inches of compacted aggregate base, with deeper bases required for heavy vehicles or areas with poor soil conditions. The base is the single most important factor in driveway longevity — inadequate base depth is the primary cause of paver driveway failure in our freeze-thaw climate.

How long does a paver driveway installation take?

A large-scale paver driveway like this Plymouth project — 2,500+ square feet — typically takes 5–10 days depending on site conditions, base work required, and crew size. Smaller residential driveways can be completed in 3–5 days. We'll give you a realistic timeline before work begins.

Do you install paver driveways in Plymouth, MN?

Yes — Heritage Outdoors serves Plymouth and the entire west metro including Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Wayzata, Chanhassen, and beyond. Call us at 651-219-3668 or request a free estimate.

Planning a new driveway
in the Twin Cities?

Whether it's new construction or a replacement, Jacob will come out, assess your site, and give you an honest recommendation on materials, layout, and what it'll actually cost. No pressure, no upsell.