1107 Folts Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Perfectly positioned in the heart of Zilker, The Folts House embodies the lifestyle that makes 78704 one of Austin's most sought-after neighborhoods. Designed by Dick Clark + Associates, the home makes an immediate architectural statement behind a board-formed concrete wall and steel fence, with zinc wall panels, a sculptural steel screen, and a dramatic five-foot Durango solid-glass pivot door.

Nearly 3,000 square feet includes three bedrooms, three full baths, and a powder bath. Terrazzo-inspired concrete floors anchor the main level, and the dining room is wrapped in French chestnut with grain-matched corners — craftsmanship echoed in the custom DOCA European cabinetry throughout. The kitchen features Miele and Thermador appliances, and Marvin multi-slide doors dissolve the boundary between indoors and out. A wide staircase with custom glass railing and steel screen leads to five-inch white oak floors upstairs, with custom Texas Sun and Shade window coverings.

The primary suite is a private retreat: a spa-inspired bath with vein-cut limestone, oil-rubbed teak shower seats, body jets, and a Victoria + Albert freestanding tub. Brizo and Blanco fixtures and Toto toilets carry the quality through every bath. The custom closet includes a packing island and separate vanity with lighted mirror.

An outdoor steel staircase leads to a private rooftop deck with downtown and sunset views, while a conditioned detached flex space offers versatility as an office, fitness studio, art studio, or creative retreat. The climate-controlled garage features epoxy flooring, and manicured, low-maintenance grounds make outdoor living easy.

Walk to Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, coffee shops, acclaimed restaurants, and Austin's live music scene, with Lady Bird Lake and downtown just minutes away. The Folts House is a rare combination of thoughtful architecture, exceptional craftsmanship, and an unmistakable sense of place in one of Austin's most beloved neighborhoods.

Zilker is the only neighborhood in Austin where you can complete an entire day - morning run, afternoon swim, evening dinner - without ever sitting in a car. The Butler Trail starts at your doorstep. Barton Springs Pool is a walk across the park. Barton Springs Road has enough restaurants to fill a week. That car-free possibility is not a marketing pitch. People here actually live that way.

The neighborhood sits south of Lady Bird Lake, bounded by MoPac west, Lamar east, Barton Skyway south, and the lake north. Zilker Park, the 351-acre green space, occupies the northeast corner where Barton Creek meets the lake. Downtown is across the Lamar or First Street bridge, five to ten minutes and entirely bikeable. Terry Black's serves competition-grade barbecue. Odd Duck does seasonal small plates. Uchi is widely considered one of the best Japanese restaurants in the country. Juliet Italian Kitchen handles the neighborhood spot role. Loro does Thai-inspired barbecue. Tiki Tatsu-Ya turns a strip mall into an immersive experience. Nido at The Loren brings hotel-level dining to the south end.

Craftsman bungalows from the 1930s anchor many streets with covered porches and mature pecans. Mid-Century Ranch homes fill blocks closer to Barton Skyway. Contemporary builds have replaced many originals, especially near the park and trail. A block might have three bungalows, a Ranch, and two new contemporaries side by side. Prices start around $800,000 for a small bungalow needing work and climb past $3 million for new construction with park proximity. The median hovers around $1.3 million. Lots are modest, typically 5,000 to 8,000 square feet.

Zilker Elementary has a devoted parent community that has invested through fundraising and advocacy, with a strong arts program. Students feed into O. Henry Middle School and Austin High School, located directly on Lady Bird Lake with an unusual campus setting for an urban school. Families who choose Zilker schools value walkability, diversity, and community engagement over the metrics-driven approach of some suburban districts.

A typical weekday starts with a morning run on the Butler Trail, which loops around Lady Bird Lake. Midday might include Barton Springs Pool, the three-acre spring-fed pool that stays 68 degrees year-round. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is accessible from multiple trailheads. The Violet Crown Trail pushes south into the Hill Country. Zilker Park hosts ACL in October and Trail of Lights in December, but the rest of the year it is a neighborhood park: soccer games, picnics, paddleboard launches, and a botanical garden.

Zilker competes with Travis Heights, Bouldin Creek, and Barton Hills. Travis Heights has similar character but sits farther from the park and trail system. Bouldin Creek is quieter with lower prices but lacks direct park adjacency. Barton Hills offers more space but requires driving to dining. Zilker's advantage is the combination of park access, trail access, restaurant walkability, and downtown proximity that no other neighborhood matches simultaneously.

Zilker is for buyers who want a car-optional lifestyle in the center of Austin's best outdoor amenities. It works for active couples, families who want kids growing up at Barton Springs, and anyone who measures quality of life in trail miles and walkable restaurants rather than square footage and garage bays.