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by Chrysa Smith
Thomas K. Fischer can walk into a building and see things. A flair for details leaves others asking how he does it. An arch here, historically accurate fireplace there. His good eye for design, keen interest in history, and salt-of-the-earth work ethic are what make this man and his business tick.
Log onto his website (tkfischerbuilder.com) and you’ll find some incredible homesteads. Formally established in 1983 as TKF Inc. Thomas said he had to earn his stripes, which meant doing interiors, bathrooms, kitchens, siding, and roofing. Word-of-mouth referrals led to an expansion of the business, which led to building and eventually development. “I never planned this,” he said of his career.
One of his most prized building and development projects was built on the property where he grew up. Originally a 250-acre Upper Makefield parcel that he and his family lived on decades back, his parents bought a portion of Tinker Farms located between Wrightstown and Creamery Roads when he was about three years old. And later, they purchased the rest of the parcel. In 1989, after his parents moved to Arizona, he and his dad decided to divide and sell off a portion of the ground. Ninety-nine acres were sold off with 50 being preserved in perpetuity. He then sold four 10 acre lots on the other side of Wrightstown Road, where 50 acres were sold to a few individuals. The remaining acreage was subdivided into three five acre lots called Tinker Farms #1 and #2, where he is still director. To give you a sense of scale, the smallest home is 8000 square feet. Thomas said, “Creamery Road is still the prettiest street in Bucks County.” He went on to build other subdivisions. “I managed engineers, lawyers, well drillers. The entire process was a wonderful opportunity,” he said.
From these projects, the Fischer name became synonymous with quality renovation and restoration. He began getting calls from beyond his Upper Makefield/Newtown stomping grounds. He was awarded a 30000 square foot project in Oyster Bay, Long Island, which had him providing hotels for carpenters for about a year and a half. His interest in land development meant the purchase of local properties. Thomas found an 11-acre lot down the road from Bowmans Tower in New Hope. Once purchased, he subdivided ten acres into a six-and four-acre lot and built a 10,000 square foot French country home. “From 1994 through 2007, the real estate market was on fire; an amazing time,” he remarked.
Going hand-in-hand with his building skills is an interest and involvement with regional historical and preservation societies. “I was sitting in on township meetings for approvals,” he said. “At meetings I became friendly with supervisors, and things blossomed,” His earliest memories growing up in a historic house eventually led to his membership and participation in the New Hope Historical Society, Michener Museum, Heritage Conservancy, Audubon Society, Upper Makefield and Newtown Business Associations, as a board member of the Washington Crossing Historic Park and a long list of business organizations—too many to mention. The culmination of all of this cemented his reputation as a builder who understands historical integrity, molded into the traditional properties of Bucks and beyond. Thomas said, “I’m known for historical reproductions, so new builds have to have the appearance and function of older homes. He earned the Historic Architectural Review Board Presidential Award, for a home on State Street in Newtown.”
Thomas Fischer has restored and renovated many historical properties in the region. Some of his most notable projects include the Danaher-Lynch Foundation. He has finished several properties for them since 2014, including an 1800s’ residence which he describes as ‘quintessential Newtown.’ It was converted into a commercial site, and he spent a year and a half bringing it back to its original grandeur. He had to preserve and restore with present codes and requirements. A current project is working for the principals of the foundation. He said of their personal residence, “I did their master suite and dressing room/bathroom. They liked it so much, they had me come back to do first floor and basement. It includes 400-year-old floors from Virginia, beams from an old building in Manhattan and cabinets I made in an old barn.”
An approachable and friendly man, Thomas Fischer will readily tell you that he spent much of his childhood on a working farm. “I learned a lot of foundational things. As soon as I could reach the pedals, I was off working.” Cows and pigs, horses, donkeys were part of his every day. Maybe foreshadowing, he told the story that “When my mom or dad couldn’t find me, I was crawling around in the crawl space.” Equally at home on a job site or driving a backhoe, Thomas grew up going to Council Rock and The George School. He studied woodworking under Palmer Sharpless, shop teacher and renowned woodworker/woodturner and photo/design under the accomplished arts teacher there, Bob Gorgas. In 10th grade, he began a formal apprenticeship in Newtown with Francis Lovett, a foremost authority in restoration and renovation who completely restored the 1751, historical Parry Mansion in New Hope, which has become a regional institution.
Thomas was humbled by his association that lasted about two years with this mentor, who also restored the Old Barracks, one of New Jersey’s most interesting museums constructed during the French and Indian War and integral in the Battle of Trenton. “At a young age I was in these incredible places,” Thomas still amazingly recalled this many years later. But more was still to happen, as he was requested to be a member of the Warner Brothers delegation to China—for purposes of improving relations. His association with the famous film company brought him California clients which he still has today.
He also studied design and photography at the San Francisco Art Institute. “My father wanted me to be a lawyer,” he said, “So he wouldn’t pay my tuition.” This caused him to work as a carpenter to put himself through college. He worked on a variety of projects, including as a laborer for James D. Morrisey, executing the Core Creek Earthen Dam Project, built in 1976 on the Core Creek River in Langhorne.
Thomas Fischer said, “In my business, I want to create value. Whether you’re building a historical reproduction or have one, you want to do it with the most integrity possible,” he noted. People know that. “When I sign onto a project, I’ll have breakfast with that family for months or years,” he said. So maybe Thomas K. Fischer didn’t plan his career path. He didn’t have to. The stars aligned and the rest is history.
Thomas K. Fischer, Builders/Developers is located in Newtown. He can be reached at 215-860-8053. For more information visit www.Tkfischerbuilder.com.
Chrysa Smith is a regular contributor to Bucks county magazine.