400 Academy Dr, Austin, TX 78704

The Crown Jewel of Historic Austin Homes Step into a living piece of Austin’s history, an extraordinary estate built in 1889 and masterfully restored to reflect the soul of the city. Perched on a lush acre just minutes from downtown, this iconic residence offers an unmatched blend of architectural heritage, enduring craftsmanship, and modern comfort. From its hilltop vantage point, sweeping skyline views frame daily life in beauty and perspective, while the home’s granite exterior crafted from the same stone as the Texas Capitol stands as a testament to its strength, significance, & lasting presence. Inside, the home is a love letter to timeless design. Original elements like curly longleaf pine & cypress woodwork, bronze Victorian window latches, Majolica-tiled fireplaces, and antique light fixtures are preserved with care and reverence. Artful touches such as the custom Bocci chandelier, Lady Slipper fixture in the parlor, and intricate cabinetry make each room feel curated and soulful. With 5 bedrooms & 3.5 bathrooms, the layout balances grand entertainingw/quiet retreat. Restoration work spans decades, & the result is not just preservation but transformation. Modern systems have been discreetly integrated to provide reliability without compromising authenticity. Custom bronze weatherstripping enhances energy efficiency while honoring the original design of the windows and stained glass. The home is not only livable, it is unforgettable. The surrounding acre is lush & serene, & the adjacent duplex at 316 Le Grande Avenue is included in sales price. Located moments from the best of downtown dining, arts, and culture, the home offers rare privacy without isolation- an oasis nestled within reach of everything. This is more than a home. It’s a chapter in Austin’s story, ready for its next steward. All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Buyer to confirm all information.

Built in 1889 from the same granite quarried for the Texas Capitol, 400 Academy Drive in Fairview Park stands as one of Austin's most significant restored historic residences. This 4,354-square-foot, five-bedroom home sits on nearly one acre in the 78704 zip code, commanding sweeping views across the Austin skyline from its hilltop perch within minutes of downtown.

The restoration honors the original architecture while introducing modern systems that work invisibly behind the scenes. Curly longleaf pine and cypress woodwork remain intact throughout the main rooms, paired with original bronze Victorian window latches and Majolica-tiled fireplaces. Rather than replace these elements, the restoration team integrated custom bronze weatherstripping and discreet mechanical upgrades that preserve the 1889 craftsmanship while ensuring the home functions reliably for contemporary living. The three full bathrooms and one half bath accommodate modern family life without disrupting the period aesthetic.

Interior design choices reflect this philosophy of balance. A custom Bocci chandelier in one room sits alongside original antique light fixtures. Built-in cabinetry maintains the home's original footprint while supporting daily use. Each of the five bedrooms provides quiet retreat space, while the parlor and entertaining areas accommodate larger gatherings. The layout reads as authentically Victorian without the operational friction of period-specific plumbing or electrical systems.

The surrounding landscape extends across 0.9963 acres of mature trees and open grounds, creating a private compound feel despite proximity to downtown Austin. An adjacent duplex at 316 Le Grande Avenue offers expansion potential, bringing the total assemblage to approximately 1.26 acres. Located in the Fairview Park neighborhood with access to Travis County schools, the property sits minutes from Lady Bird Lake Park, South First Street's dining corridor, and the downtown arts district.

The home's asking price of $7.90 million translates to $1,814 per square foot. Listed for one day before attracting serious interest, the property appeals to buyers seeking documented architectural significance combined with functional modern amenities. This represents the rare opportunity to own a structure that influenced Austin's built heritage while maintaining the practical systems required for contemporary living.

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.