Corner Block Homes: Pros, Cons and Smart Design Opportunities 

Advantages of Corner Block Homes

Corner lots are situated at the intersection of two streets, giving you double the opportunity to explore design options and make strategic use of the extra space that you don’t get with standard blocks.

Design Flexibility

With the added space a corner block provides, you have greater freedom to explore design possibilities. While smaller lots can limit facade design options, corner blocks are typically far less restrictive, allowing your design ideas to reach a new level of exploration.

Dual Entry Opportunities

By sitting at the intersection of two streets, corner blocks provide a chance to rethink the entrances and exits from your home. For example, instead of one main entrance, you can create one entrance for guests and deliveries, and a more private entrance that’s just for family. If you run a home business, this can also be a significant advantage, creating a degree of separation from home and business activities.

Landscape Opportunities

Corner blocks often mean more space, meaning you can think creatively about how you incorporate external space into your overall home design. Whether you want to have wider boundaries around the full exterior of your home, set the home back further from the street, or save space for the back, there’s options to consider.

More Light and Spaciousness

Without existing or potential blocks on either side, there’s also plenty of opportunity to think strategically about light. Whether it’s incorporating a wrap-around porch, balconies, or adding additional windows, you can think creatively about what you want for your home.

While there are plenty of benefits to corner blocks, before you go ahead and sign off on your build, there’s also a few challenges worth reflecting on.

Privacy

With two street frontages, homes on corner blocks often have greater exposure to passing traffic and pedestrians. This can reduce privacy and require more careful consideration of fencing, landscaping, or window placement.

Street Noise and Light Pollution

Being bordered by two roads can mean increased traffic noise, especially on busier streets or intersections, which may impact outdoor living areas and front-facing rooms. If there are streetlights directly outside, this can also impact liveability. Do your research of the area so you can plan accordingly.

Zoning Constraints

Corner blocks are sometimes subject to additional planning regulations, including setback requirements and dual street frontage rules, which can sometimes limit design flexibility.

Maintenance Costs

While a larger frontage has plenty of pros, it also often means more fencing, landscaping, and council-maintained areas to manage. This can potentially increase ongoing maintenance time and overall property upkeep costs.

Design Opportunities Unique to Corner Blocks

There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to designing your home, and corner blocks are no different. It’s worth knowing the advantages and challenges so you can factor these into your overall vision and planning, and make considered decisions.

That said, there are some design opportunities that are unique to corner blocks, including:

• Wraparound porches and verandas that make use of the additional space.
• Dual street frontage, allowing for facades on two sides, creating strong curb appeal from multiple angles.
• Greater flexibility for separate pedestrian and vehicle access points.
• Potential for a secondary dwelling or granny flat with its own street entry (subject to council approval).

Urban and Neighbourhood Impact

The neighbourhood impact of corner blocks significantly depends on the overall location of the build. For example, a more rural corner block will have more of an impact on a small, closer knit community than one in a busier urban city centre.

Along with any zoning and local council constraints or requirements, it’s important to consider alignment with your local area and neighbours including whether your potential build will block anyone’s view, driveway and garage placement and entry points, entry points, and landscaping.

Whether the advantages and challenges of a corner block excite you or overwhelm you, one of the most important decisions to making it a success is working with the right design team. At IMSU, we can help ensure your corner block meets your vision while responding thoughtfully to the land and location.