If you're willing to go tubeless a tire like this is ideal to build a do-everything bike around:

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...oqualmie-pass/

Even better but a little bit heavier:

https://www.renehersecycles.com/shop...elope-hill-tc/

To build a drop bar 29er you'd want a frame with a relatively short ETT, a rigid front fork, the shortest lowest stem you can find like 35mm long, and a short reach compact road handlebar like 42cm x 70mm x 125mm.

Go anywhere gearing: 22x30x40 triple with 12x36 9 speed cassette. The 30t ring is equivalent to a 32t ring on a smaller wheeled bike.

I love this category of bike. Sort of like a gravel grinder but with 2" tires. A two inch tire is the sweet spot for weight/traction/comfort.