Dubbed an “in-town oasis” by the owners, this four-story home in the heart of Portland has sweeping views of the city and of Casco Bay. Newly empty nesters, our clients came to us looking to scale down with a low-maintenance home that felt contemporary and dreamt upward, making the most out of a small, narrow lot.

Atop a hill, this small in-town parcel called for meticulous care with only a limited amount of space for construction. The layout includes a two-car garage and gym on the first floor, a covered deck, office space, and living areas—living, dining, and kitchen—on the second floor, three cozy bedrooms along with a rear deck and studio on the third floor, and a top floor deck with generous views of the water. We used a drone in the early planning stages to determine at what elevation you could obtain the most idyllic ocean views.

We incorporated contrasting siding materials to help break up the height of the structure. Inside, the ceiling heights were maxed out in order to create a beautifully bright and airy interior flooded with natural light. Low-maintenance materials were a major focus throughout, with fiber cement siding, aluminum-clad/triple glazed windows, and a SIPS panel wall system with an R-value that exceeded minimum codes.

Standing tall, this inviting home provides plenty of space for the whole family to live independently as well as come together to take in the world around them after a long day in the city.