1711 Kenwood Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Travis Heights living meets the ultimate South Congress lifestyle in this beautifully designed property featuring a spacious 3-bedroom, 2.5-bath main home plus a detached ADU ideal for guests, STR for rental income, a home office, fitness space, or creative studio. The main residence offers an open-concept floor plan with soaring ceilings, abundant natural light, stunning hickory wood flooring, and newly installed windows that enhance both energy efficiency and comfort. The spacious living area flows seamlessly into the chef-inspired kitchen featuring a large center island, extensive prep space, and custom furniture-quality cabinetry, creating an ideal setting for entertaining and everyday living. The main-level primary suite is filled with natural light and includes a walk-in closet, while upstairs offers two generously sized bedrooms and a full bath. A dedicated laundry room with abundant storage and a convenient powder bath add everyday functionality. Designed for indoor-outdoor living, the private backyard features low-maintenance turf, a huge covered deck, and an additional patio perfect for dining, entertaining, or enjoying Austin evenings under the stars. The detached studio apartment offers wood flooring, a spacious living area, full kitchen with custom cabinetry and stainless appliances, and a full bath, providing exceptional flexibility and value. Just blocks from South Congress and moments from Perla's, Jo's Coffee, Home Slice Pizza, Aba, Magnolia Cafe, Hotel San José, Allen's Boots, local boutiques, live music venues, and some of Austin's most celebrated restaurants and coffee shops. Enjoy easy access to Downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake, Big Stacy Park, hike-and-bike trails, and everything that makes Travis Heights one of Austin's most desirable neighborhoods.

The main residence at 1711 Kenwood Ave in Travis Heights presents a dramatic statement in South Austin living: 2,468 square feet across three bedrooms, three full baths, and a half bath, anchored by soaring ceilings and an open floor plan that commands immediate attention the moment you enter. At $1.40M ($567 per square foot), this property delivers rare flexibility through a detached studio apartment that functions as guest quarters, a rental income generator, a home office, or creative studio.

The primary living spaces unfold with architectural intention. Hickory light wood flooring flows throughout the main level, establishing warmth beneath vaulted ceilings that flood the home with natural light. The kitchen becomes the centerpiece: a chef-inspired layout with a substantial center island, extensive quartz countertops, custom cabinetry built to furniture quality, and stainless steel appliances including a built-in gas range and electric oven. This kitchen wasn't designed for casual cooking. It's engineered for entertaining. The open dining area connects directly, creating a venue for holiday gatherings and nightly family moments without walls or transitions. Recessed lighting, ceiling fans, and a breakfast bar reinforce the design's functionality without sacrificing style.

The primary suite occupies the main level, a deliberate choice that eliminates stairs and preserves privacy. A walk-in closet and abundant windows secure the bedroom's position as a genuine retreat. A guest powder bath sits conveniently on the main floor. Upstairs, two secondary bedrooms with generous windows and a full bath provide flexible spaces for family members, visiting professionals, or guests.

The outdoor environment matches the interior's drama. A massive covered deck dominates the private backyard, backed by low-maintenance artificial turf and an additional patio designed explicitly for entertaining. This is outdoor living scaled for Austin's year-round climate. An electric car charging station sits ready in the two-car garage. Sprinkler irrigation keeps the landscaped front yard maintained with minimal effort.

The detached studio apartment adds genuine utility. Wood flooring, a functional kitchen with custom cabinetry, stainless steel appliances, and a full bath create a complete, independent living unit that justifies serious rental income potential or permanent guest accommodation.

Location amplifies the property's impact. 1711 Kenwood Ave sits in Travis Heights, the neighborhood directly anchoring South Congress. Home Slice Pizza, Perla's, Jo's Coffee, and the boutique ecosystem of South Congress lie within walking distance or a single car ride. Lady Bird Lake's hike-and-bike trail system, Big Stacy Park, and downtown Austin remain accessible. The property falls within Austin ISD: Travis Heights Elementary, Lively Middle School, and Travis High School serve the area. This corner lot position on Kenwood Ave offers both visibility and privacy, a rare combination in an in-demand neighborhood where flexibility and entertaining space have become non-negotiable for serious Austin buyers seeking authentic South Austin character with modern finishes.

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.