3904 Petra Path, Austin, TX 78731

Northwest Hills. Curated. Timeless.

3904 Petra Path is distinguished by its dichotomous nature: The original exterior remains respectfully intact, yet the modernized interior aligns with today's lifestyles. 20-foot vaulted ceilings with an open floor plan, yet cozy nooks abound. Architecturally significant, yet approachable. The current owner took the home down to the studs in 2020 with carefully selected design choices and astute functional additions.

Clerestory windows atop the 20-foot living room ceiling create ephemeral art out of sunlight. The kitchen nestles the living area, providing a communal entertaining space. The grand living area accesses a climate-controlled sunroom via 7-foot panoramic doors. The Malm fireplace in the sunroom gives a wink to the home's original era and beckons for a rocking chair and some vinyl. Two en-suites on opposite sides of the home provide the ideal scenario for guests, a home office, or multigenerational living.

Engineered wide plank French oak, porcelain tile, and stone flooring are found throughout. Custom cabinetry and lighting add distinctive and subtle luxury. New landscaping, irrigation, decking, pavers, and a pergola adorn the 0.3+ acre lot.

Behind the walls, you’ll find all-new electrical systems, new water supply lines using freeze-resistant materials, a Navien continuous recirculating system, and a nifty water cutoff lever in the garage. Dual-zone HVAC ensures your new home is indeed a respite from the Texas heat. DECRA shake metal roofing is as handsome as it is sturdy.

3904 Petra Path is a representation of Austin: retro and renovated, thoughtful and unique, peaceful and playful. THIS is why you live here.

Northwest Hills is a family neighborhood in 78731, built in the 1960s-80s on wooded half-acre lots between MoPac and Loop 360. Median home price $1.19M. Austin ISD schools — Doss Elementary and Murchison Middle rank among the district's best. 12 minutes to UT campus, 15 to downtown.

The housing stock is predominantly single-story ranch and split-level homes on lots averaging 0.3-0.5 acres with mature live oak and cedar canopy. Most original homes are 1,800-3,000 sq ft. A renovation wave has been updating kitchens and adding square footage without tearing down — the lot sizes accommodate additions well. Active listings typically number 15-25 at any given time.

Daily life revolves around the schools and the outdoors. Bull Creek for weekend wading, Mount Bonnell for sunset hikes (8 minutes from the neighborhood), Northwest District Park for soccer and the playground. Far West corridor handles weeknight dining — Saffron, 5280 Burger, Yamas. The Arboretum and Domain are 10 minutes north for shopping. HEB on Far West is the neighborhood grocery hub.

What makes Northwest Hills the family value play in Central Austin: Doss/Murchison school quality at roughly half the Eanes ISD price point, lot sizes that rival Westlake, and a 15-minute commute that beats the suburbs. The tradeoff is Austin ISD (good but not Eanes) and 1960s-80s housing stock that often needs updating.