Instead of building out, this local property developer decided to maximise on space and views of the foothills by going up.

Jeff and his wife, Malou, were looking for something with separate zones so their kids would be able to live independently as they grew older.

“The kids got older and we thought, let’s build something where they can have their own space, and not have to move out of home when they went to uni,” Jeff says.

“We found this interesting block of land and went straight up with four storeys.”

Jeff says the decision to build up instead of out hinged on the property’s steep slope and the ability to have dual access from Duncan Road and Delbridge Court.

The ground floor is an extensive garage that has a turntable and can store up to six cars – one of Jeff’s biggest priorities of the build.

“I put a lot of emphasis on garaging because I think it’s very important.”

“I hate cars on the street and I hate cars parked in the driveway.

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“I love the garage and I love – if I’ve forgotten something – being able to zip back up to the top driveway and accessing the house that way.”

The first floor is dedicated to the kids’ independent living with three bedrooms, a bathroom and en suite, a living space, and a balcony.

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The second level features open plan living with the kitchen, living and dining rooms as well as multiple balconies and an indoor pool under a roof with built-in louvres that can be opened to make it outdoor.

Finally, the top level is occupied by the primary bedroom with a large ensuite and walk-in wardrobe, as well as a home office that Jeff says could double as a home theatre.

“I love the open plan living and the bedroom because it’s huge,” Jeff says.

“I’m not walking around the bed to get somewhere, I’m just walking past the bed, and I’ve still got a metre on each side.

“We wanted large rooms, large areas, large hallways and a lot of open space.

“I didn’t want narrow, pokey areas where you might have to go side on to get past someone.”

Jeff says quality materials were a priority of the build – core-filled concrete block walls create a solid masonry structure along with structural steel and suspended concrete slabs for each floor.

“The quality of the build is exceptional.”

“It’s just a solid, high-spec house.”

As for the interiors, Jeff says a neutral palette and natural materials, such as polished concrete floors in the living areas and floating timber floor boards throughout the rest of the home, champion natural light.

“It’s an imposing structure when you’re at the bottom of the property looking up at how massive it is.”

“But inside it’s very warm and welcoming and you don’t feel overwhelmed, or like you can’t touch anything.

“We wanted a clean, neat look and it’s just got a nice, relaxed feel about it.”

Now that the kids have moved out, Jeff and Malou are looking to downsize from four stories to three with their latest project at the bottom of Delbridge Court – only a stones-throw from 28 Duncan Road.

“This house is 820 square metres, so it’s probably a bit more than we need.”

“We’re sad to move on, but we’re excited about our new place as well.

“We love this location because of the serenity.

“You’re in the hills – there’s kangaroos, black cockatoos, echidnas, it’s amazing what wanders around here and you’re five minutes from Burnside Village.”

With his new project, Jeff is looking to keep it quirky and interesting.

“The street lends itself to being creative, like with this house with the angled columns and the different angles and shapes and the light and the dark colours.”

“It’s a great opportunity to do something that you might not do elsewhere.”

The sale of 28 Duncan Road, Beaumont, is being handled by Sally Cameron and James Campbell of Toop+Toop.