2707 East Side Dr, Austin, TX 78704

Set on a prominent corner lot in Sherwood Oaks, just across from St. Edward’s University, this property offers flexibility that’s getting harder to find in 78704. Keep it as-is, update over time, lease it out, or start fresh with a permitted new build. The previous demo and build permits have expired but easy resubmission. Call agent with questions. The existing home is a 4-bedroom, 2-bath with two living areas and a layout that lends itself well to roommates, multi-generational living, or steady rental income. Vintage baths, clean interiors, and recent refreshes make it immediately livable, while still leaving room to add value. A detached office/study creates separation that’s useful for work or guests, and the side-entry gated parking off Little John Ln keeps things functional without taking over the front of the home. The lot is the real asset—large, shaded by mature oaks, and positioned for privacy despite its central location. Covered carport with storage, xeriscaped yard, and walkable access to nearby parks, dining, and everyday spots make it easy to rent or enjoy now. For those looking at long-term upside, the property also comes with a previously fully permitted, design-forward plan by CoXist Studio—known for clean, modern architecture that prioritizes light, volume, and connection to outdoor space. No guesswork, no delays—plans are in place and ready to move forward: TO BE BUILT. Price is for lot and plans designed by CoXist. Plans and demolition permit have been previously approved by the City of Austin. RARE OPPORTUNITY! See other listing at MLS# 6138704

This 1961 corner lot residence at 2707 East Side Drive in Sherwood Oaks sits on one of South Austin's most strategically positioned properties, offering flexibility that matches the restless energy of 78704. The home itself is a four-bedroom, two-bath structure with bones that work for multiple lifestyles: two living areas flow into each other through beamed ceilings, vinyl flooring spans the open floorplan, and the in-law layout with detached office creates natural separation for roommates, multi-generational families, or rental income. Laminate counters and vintage bathrooms carry honest character rather than sterile perfection.

What makes this property genuinely different is the corner lot itself. Large oaks tower over the yard-mature trees exceeding 40 feet provide the kind of natural canopy that takes decades to grow and can't be replicated. The xeriscaped backyard keeps maintenance simple while preserving privacy despite the central location between St. Edward's University just across the street and Little John Lane. A covered carport with built-in storage addresses parking without dominating the front-facing street presence, while the gated side-entry keeps functionality separate from curb appeal.

The neighborhood context matters here. Sherwood Oaks in South Austin offers walkable access to parks, local dining, and everyday amenities while remaining residential enough to feel removed from the intensity of downtown or major corridors. Travis Elementary and Lively Middle School serve the Travis Independent School District, grounding the area in established family infrastructure. The location sits close enough to St. Edward's University to capture student housing demand but distinct enough to maintain residential character.

The real intrigue is the redevelopment potential. The property carries previously approved architectural plans designed by CoXist Studio, a firm known for clean modernism that maximizes light and outdoor connection. Design permits have already moved through the City of Austin. This means someone could occupy the current home rent-free while building new, lease the existing structure for cash flow, renovate incrementally, or execute the permitted plan immediately. The lot size of 0.192 acres on a corner gives meaningful options most South Austin properties don't have at $799,900. At $507 per square foot for the existing structure, you're pricing the land and the potential equally. For buyers looking at 78704 as a long-term play, the combination of location, maturity, and approved development flexibility creates options.

South Congress is the only street in Austin where you can buy custom cowboy boots, eat handmade sushi at a ten-seat counter, and watch 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats take flight from a bridge - all within a half-mile walk. That density of experience makes this neighborhood different from every other part of the city. It is a real neighborhood where people live full lives, and the commercial strip at its center happens to be the most photographed street in Texas.

The corridor runs along Congress Avenue south of Lady Bird Lake, roughly from the bridge to Oltorf Street, with residential streets extending east and west. Downtown is a ten-minute walk across the Congress Avenue Bridge. The Texas Capitol is visible from the north end. Perla's does coastal seafood on a patio that becomes a scene on weekends. Home Slice Pizza has had a line since the day it opened. Aba serves Mediterranean with a rooftop view. June's All Day handles the all-day cafe role. Otoko is one of the most exclusive dining experiences in Texas. Magnolia Cafe remains a late-night institution. Jo's Coffee is where the famous mural lives, and Lenoir offers a prix fixe wine garden.

Craftsman bungalows from the 1920s through 1940s give the neighborhood its character, with front porches and mature pecan trees. Modern condominiums line the avenue itself. Contemporary townhomes fill spaces between. Bungalows on decent lots start around $700,000 and can exceed $1.5 million. Condos range from the mid-$400s to over $2 million for luxury high-rise units with downtown views. Lot sizes for single-family homes are small, often under a tenth of an acre, which keeps the density high and the walkability real.

Travis Heights Elementary serves many addresses and carries a loyal following among families wanting a diverse, walkable community. Fulmore Middle School and Travis High School are the secondary feeders. The schools are urban public schools in the truest sense: diverse student bodies, active parent organizations, and programs that benefit from a central location. Some families supplement with Austin Montessori and other private options nearby.

The street itself is a walking experience: vintage clothing, record shops, galleries, and restaurants on both sides of a wide sidewalk. Barton Springs Pool is a short walk west. Blunn Creek Greenbelt cuts through the residential streets. The Lady Bird Lake Boardwalk puts residents on the water trail system without driving. The Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony draws crowds March through October. Social energy peaks on weekend evenings when the avenue fills and patios at Perla's and Home Slice spill onto sidewalks.

South Congress is not directly comparable to suburban luxury neighborhoods because the product is fundamentally different. East Austin has more new construction and grittier energy. Travis Heights is quieter with larger lots. Rainey Street has been consumed by high-rises. South Congress maintains a balance between commercial energy and residential livability none of those can match. The bungalows have proven to be strong long-term holds.

South Congress is for buyers who want to live inside Austin's cultural heartbeat. It works for couples, creatives, and professionals who prioritize walkability and social energy over square footage. It works for investors who understand that a Craftsman bungalow on a South Congress side street is one of the scarcest asset classes in the city.