This sounds kind of BIG. You might have to consult an architect. You might have to submit prints to the city if you are going to change the facade of the building.

I hate split levels also, somehow they are awkward to me.

You would need to raise the front door and move it sideways so it enters into the livingroom, leaving the stairs intact for basement access. (Unless the house is big enough to put stairs somewhere else.) Closing up the hole where the old door is not bad, but who knows what you will have to deal with to cut in the new door. You have to cut a hole larger than the door, esp for the header above. You would probably have to replace all the siding on the front of the house, if it is old and can't be matched, you may find yourselves replacing all of it. You also have to put in a new walkway and stais to the new door.

It is alot of work and cash, but if the property and the rest of the house is worth it, and this is all you need to make you happy, go for it.

What do you mean by "bi-level"? That term isn't used in my area. We have split levels, which have the main living area at ground level and then bedrooms up half a flight and a family room or other bedrooms down a half flight. There may be a basement under the main living area too.

Then we have what we call "split foyers" which sounds more like what you're talking about. Maybe. The house has two levels but the lower level is only maybe half below grade. The foyer is in between and when you enter you go up a few steps to the main living area or down a few steps to the lower level.

What I can't stand about split foyers is that the windows and door do not match up on the outside. The lower level windows are close the to ground and the upper ones are not quite 2nd story but are still too high to "go with" the front door. It just looks schizo to me.

Seems like if that's what you have, you could build half the foyer level up and move the doorway up, then install a half or quarter height staircase inside to access the lower level.

Probably not a DIY job. But seems like it could be done.

Examples:

{{!gwi}}
split foyer

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split level

People use "split-level" to mean "bi-level" all the time. It's so confusing.