From "Difficult" to Spectacular: The Sloping Block That Became a Two Level Sanctuary
The block of land with views that stretched across the valley. There was just one problem: between the vegetation protection order and the slope that made most builders shake their heads, turning this piece of land into a family home seemed next to impossible.
Twelve months later, they're hosting dinners on a Friday night, watching the sunset paint the valley pink from their front stairs. Their teenagers actually wanted to hang out at home.
About Cathy and Her Family
Like most families with 3 teenagers, This family needed space that worked for everyone. Somewhere the kids could retreat with mates after school. Somewhere they could host long Sunday lunches without feeling like they were living in each other's pockets. They'd built with McVeigh Homes before, so when they found this stunning North East facing block, they knew exactly who to call.
The vision was clear: they wanted a home that brought them together rather than pushed them apart.
Here's what Cathy was facing. The block came with a vegetation protection order, same as most properties in the area. Translation? Only a specific portion of the land was actually buildable. The rest? Untouchable bushland. Beautiful, but limiting.
Then there was the slope. We're not talking a gentle incline you could manage with some basic cut and fill. This was a serious North East facing drop that would require two completely separate levels just to work with the terrain. Drive in at street level, live amongst the trees at the other.
Oh, and underneath all that natural beauty? Solid rock. The kind that makes excavation costs climb faster than you can say "budget blowout." Other builders might look at this block and see headaches but Michael saw a challenge.
What was really at stake here wasn't just about building a house. It was about proving that with the right builder, even the most challenging blocks can become something extraordinary. Get it wrong, and they'd end up with a home that fought against the landscape instead of working with it.
Cathy didn't need to talk to other builders. She'd worked with McVeigh Homes before and knew what we could deliver. The letters of recommendation and reviews had told her everything she needed to know about our approach to complex builds.
What made the difference this time? We looked at that steep slope and VPO restrictions and saw opportunity, not obstacles. We were designing a home that would make those constraints feel intentional.
The strategy was straightforward but required serious expertise. Level 1 would be your arrival point: drive straight into the garage, then through to kitchen, living areas, and out onto a generous deck. Master suite on this level with walk in robe and ensuite and private deck. Guest bedroom and powder room for visitors. Study for working from home.
Level 2 became the teenager zone. Three bedrooms, a three way bathroom that actually works for busy mornings, a dedicated pool room (yes, with a full sized pool table), and a home theatre where movie marathons wouldn't disturb anyone upstairs. Internal stairs linking Level 1 & 2, then external stairs connecting Level 1 down to the pool and garden level, making the whole property feel like one continuous living space.
The rock could have been a nightmare but it turned it into a feature. All that thermal mass keeps the house naturally cool through Queensland summers. The North East aspect we carefully designed around means morning sun floods the living areas without afternoon heat. And those jacaranda trees the VPO was protecting? They frame every window like living art.
Every permit was lodged correctly. Every subcontractor scheduled before we even broke ground. The scheduling meant no delays, no surprises, and no stress .
The home feels like it grew out of the landscape rather than fighting against it. The views became the hero of every room.
The numbers tell part of the story:
- Completed on time with no delays
- Two fully functional levels
- Pool positioned to capture all day sun while maintaining privacy
- Storage solutions created during landscaping
- Perfect North East aspect maximising light without heat
The family actually spends time together now. Not because they have to, but because the home makes them want to. Weekend mornings start on the deck with coffee and valley views. Friday nights mean poolside dinners with friends. The teenagers bring mates over because, let's be honest, this place is cooler than anywhere else they could hang out. Swim in the pool, watch a movie in home theatre, play pool in pool room.
The floorplan gives them options - Family time in the open plan living areas on Level 1 when they want connection. Quiet retreats or bedrooms when someone needs space on Level 2. And those storage areas we created during landscaping? They've already proved invaluable.
Every time a visitor walks through the front entry and sees the view surrounded by jacarandas in bloom as they were move on to the deck. They are in awe of the outlook breeze and timber beams accent feature. The house doesn't just sit on the land. It celebrates it.
Your Block Might Be More Possible Than You Think
Got a sloped block that's been called too difficult? Covenant restrictions that make other builders nervous? A piece of land that everyone says "can't be done"?
McVeigh Homes specialise in turning challenging blocks into exceptional homes. The projects other builders walk away from are exactly the ones where our experience shows its value. Because sometimes, the limitations are actually what make a home special.
Let's talk about what's possible for your block. Book a consultation and we'll show you how we'd approach your specific site.