When Geoff and Marilyn first looked at their block on Fraser Terrace in Highgate Hill, most builders would have walked away. Extremely steep slope. Difficult site access. The kind of challenging land that makes construction complicated and expensive.
But they also saw something else: unobstructed river views that money can’t usually buy this close to the city.
Engineering the Site, Not Fighting It
The key to making this project work wasn’t forcing the land to be something it wasn’t. McVeigh Homes worked with the natural fall of the block, creating multiple levels that stepped down the slope. This approach minimized retaining walls, keeping costs manageable while letting each level capture those stunning river views.
The design placed Geoff and Marilyn’s parents retreat on one level, creating an independent living space. The middle level houses the main living areas, kitchen, and a generous deck that makes the most of the outlook. Below, guest rooms and the pool enjoy privacy from neighbours despite being on such a visible site.
The Accessibility Solution
Here’s where thoughtful design makes all the difference for a multi-generational home. The extreme slope meant stairs were inevitable. But stairs alone would limit future flexibility. So the home was designed with both a lift and a set of stairs side by side.
It’s the kind of forward thinking that transforms a house into a genuine forever home. As mobility needs change over time, everyone can move freely between levels. The parents retreat remains genuinely accessible, not just in name.
Where Challenge Becomes Opportunity
The difficult site access that might have deterred other builders became an exercise in careful logistics. McVeigh Homes coordinated deliveries and managed the build sequence to work with the steep terrain rather than against it.
Inside, the home feels light and open despite being built into a hillside. White interiors and timber floors create a fresh, contemporary feel. The kitchen flows seamlessly to that river facing deck, where the outlook does the heavy lifting. Floor to ceiling glass throughout means you’re never far from those views.
The pool and lower level guest accommodation provide loads of privacy from neighbours, tucked into the slope with strategic landscaping. Tropical planting softens the architecture and creates green pockets throughout the site.
Comprehensive solar panels across the multiple roof planes show how even challenging sites can embrace sustainability. The white weatherboard cladding gives the home a crisp, modern aesthetic that feels at home in this established riverside suburb.
This Highgate Hill home proves that challenging sites don’t have to mean compromised living. With the right builder, that steep block everyone else avoided becomes the foundation for something remarkable. A multi-generational home where accessibility, views, and thoughtful design work together across every level.
Sometimes the hardest sites make the best homes.