1914 Newning Ave, Austin, TX 78704

Built in 1939, this charming bungalow was redesigned to preserve its historic character and add a modern twist, undergoing a high-quality down-to-studs remodel/addition in 2018. The home maintains its classic look with a restored entry portico and half glass entry door. The living room has the original brick fireplace and vintage casework. The core of the home is comprised of the dining room, kitchen, and a family room with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall. The chef’s kitchen has an oversized entertaining island, a high-end Jenn Air appliance package, and custom cabinetry with built-in pantries. Skylights create a bright and well-balanced space. Bedrooms are separated into two wings, one for the primary suite and the other for the two guest bedrooms. Each room is generous in size and has nice daylighting. Two full baths are each custom designed and showcase timeless tiles from Ann Sacks and Clay Imports. Unique materials & design provide a quality level and sophistication that are difficult to find: Multiple skylights, 2” and 4” recessed downlights, top-end Silestone countertops & backsplashes, custom ship-lap siding, reclaimed original siding, white oak floors throughout, designer plumbing & light fixtures, high-quality Benjamin Moore paint, and many other finishing touches that create a luxury home that feels comfortable and casual. Other improvements: Custom blinds at all windows & doors * Automated blind system at floor to ceiling windows * Sonos system by Total Home Technologies * Marvin windows & doors * 1” standing seam roof * 6” half-round gutters * Pier & beam foundation replaced * Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing replaced (tankless heater new in 2020) * Foam and BIB insulation * thermo-pine deck * Pool renderings available * Construction by Waller Build * Located on a superb street in Travis Heights, it’s hard to find a better combination of quintessential Austin, walkability, quality, and design. Newning is a one-of-a-kind home not to be missed!

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.