1117 Gillespie Pl, Austin, TX 78704

This breathtaking mid-century modern meets contemporary design was recently renovated inside and out with the interior remodel overseen by acclaimed local designer Claire Zinnecker and construction completed by SB Roofing and Construction. The expansive kitchen was completely gutted to the studs and features a Sub Zero fridge, freezer, and wine fridge, Wolf range, spacious waterfall island and handmade tile backsplash complete with beautiful custom cabinets and built-ins. Fully collapsible glass wall systems dramatically transform the main living and kitchen into unmatched indoor/outdoor living spaces, opening both rooms to a magical backyard oasis, which has been back-filled to maximize the large .269 acre lot. Wrapping around a larger than life heritage oak tree, the expansive outdoor deck overlooks a stunning staircase leading down to the pool and flat green space, which will undoubtedly be the central gathering hub for friends and family – that is, if you can peel everyone away from views from the rooftop lounge, made into a true escape tucked into surrounding trees. As if the backyard wasn't enticing enough, fully permitted plans for an additional ADU convey. The location simply cannot be beat - Walking distance to Big and Little Stacey Parks – which recently underwent a significant renovation – and minutes to Downtown, South Congress, and all your favorite spots that make 78704 living the best. For anyone seeking luxury, quality, privacy and style in the city’s most sought after zip code – you’ve landed on your dream home.

Travis Heights is home to Big Stacy Pool, a free, spring-fed swimming hole that most Austinites have never visited because they are too busy fighting for space at Barton Springs. That hidden quality defines the entire neighborhood. Travis Heights has been here since the 1920s, sitting on the bluffs above Lady Bird Lake, and it has managed to stay more residential and quiet than the buzzing corridors on every side. South Congress is one block west. Rainey Street is a short walk across the bridge. And yet the interior streets still feel like the Austin people romanticize.

The neighborhood occupies the high ground east of South Congress and south of Lady Bird Lake, running from the lake to Oltorf Street, with I-35 on the east. The streets climb and wind along bluffs, creating a layered landscape of old trees and homes with views toward downtown. The Congress Avenue Bridge bats are a five-minute walk. Downtown is across the bridge, ten minutes on foot. Perla's and June's All Day anchor South Congress to the west. Elizabeth Street Cafe serves Vietnamese-French pastries. Lenoir offers a farmhouse wine garden. Odd Duck does farm-to-table small plates. Otoko is one of the most exclusive reservations in the city. Emmer and Rye rounds out with inventive tasting menus.

Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s and 1930s make up the largest category, with wide porches and original wood siding. Tudor homes add steep gabled rooflines. Contemporary builds appear on teardown lots. Mid-Century homes fill blocks farther from the lake. A bungalow needing work starts around $700,000, while renovated or new construction with lake views can exceed $2.5 million. Lots are modest - a tenth to a quarter acre - but tree coverage and topographic variation make them feel larger.

Travis Heights Elementary carries a reputation for strong community involvement and a diverse student body. Students feed into Fulmore Middle School and Travis High School. The schools attract families who actively choose an urban public school experience: diverse populations and neighborhood identity. Parent engagement runs high. Private options are plentiful nearby, including Austin Montessori.

Blunn Creek Greenbelt runs through the interior, providing a shaded corridor for walking and nature play. Big Stacy Park has both the spring-fed pool and a neighborhood gathering point. Lady Bird Lake's boardwalk connects the south side to the east side. The Congress Avenue Bridge bats are part of the nightly routine March through October. Weekend mornings might start with coffee on a front porch, a walk to the South Congress farmers market, or a jog along the Butler Trail.

Travis Heights sits between South Congress's commercial energy and the quieter feel of Bouldin Creek. South Congress properties near the avenue carry a premium but sacrifice residential calm. Bouldin Creek offers similar vintage stock on flatter terrain with less lake proximity. East Austin has seen rapid appreciation but lacks the established canopy and topographic character. Travis Heights benefits from being close to everything without being consumed by it.

Travis Heights is for buyers who want the real, historic Austin experience with a ten-minute walk to downtown and South Congress. It fits families who value Craftsman bungalows and front-porch living, couples who want to walk to world-class restaurants, and anyone who believes the best neighborhoods are the ones that have been quietly getting it right for a hundred years.