4703 Highland Ter, Austin, TX 78731

A rare combination of space, privacy, design and single-story living in Highland Park West. Set on .56 acres, this beautifully reimagined custom home offers something increasingly difficult to find this close to Central Austin: an expansive, level backyard shaded by magnificent mature oaks, with exceptional privacy and multiple outdoor living spaces.

Taken down to the studs and rebuilt with an addition in 2022, the home was designed by a notable California-based architecture and design firm with an emphasis on quality, natural light and indoor-outdoor connection. A landscape architect designed the exterior to complement the interiors, with multiple doors connecting living spaces to the patios, pool and landscape.

The single-level floor plan has no interior steps and thoughtful details throughout. The kitchen features custom white oak cabinetry, Quartz countertops, Sub-Zero refrigerator and freezer and a Wolf 6-burner range with griddle. The owner's suite includes a Carrera marble shower, double vanities, heated herringbone tile floors and three closets. A guest bedroom features windows sourced from the UT Texas Student Union, adding a unique piece of Austin history.

The private backyard features a custom pool with fountains and perimeter bench seating, oversized spa/hot tub, summer kitchen, outdoor shower, pergolas, Trex decking, 6-foot gas firepit, imported Italian tile, landscape lighting and multiple areas for dining and relaxing beneath the trees. Beyond the main backyard is an additional fenced yard included with the property, providing even more usable outdoor space and privacy. A discreet firewall and pool bath are integrated into the design.

Walkable to Highland Park Elementary and minutes from Central Austin, this is a rare opportunity for exceptional space, privacy and thoughtful design. An oversized garage with commercial-grade door and EV charging station completes the property.

At 4703 Highland Terrace in Highland Park West, a 2022 custom home sits on half an acre of mature oak-shaded land just steps from Highland Park Elementary School in the Austin ISD 78731 zip code. This single-story residence was entirely rebuilt from the foundation up by a California architecture firm, gutted to the studs and reconstructed to create a seamless connection between interior and landscape, with no interior steps throughout the 3,489 square feet.

The design centers on accessibility and entertaining. The open floor plan anchors around a gourmet kitchen with white oak cabinetry, Quartz countertops, Wolf 6-burner cooktop with griddle, Sub-Zero refrigerator, and a porcelain tile backsplash. The kitchen flows directly into multiple living areas and outdoor spaces, eliminating traditional walls that separate cooking from gathering. Vaulted ceilings and recessed lighting amplify the sense of space, while beamed ceilings ground the architecture in texture and warmth.

Material choices throughout reflect purposeful restraint. Brick and HardiPlank exterior walls weather gracefully on the home's facades. Interior flooring transitions between wood, tile, and brick depending on zone and function. The primary suite features Carrera marble in the shower, heated herringbone tile floors, porcelain double vanities, and three walk-in closets. A guest bedroom incorporates salvaged windows from the UT Texas Student Union, embedding local architectural history directly into the home's character.

Outdoor living dominates the back half of the property. A full outdoor kitchen, pergolas, Trex decking, resort-style pool with fountains and Italian tile, oversized hot tub, and a 6-foot gas firepit create distinct zones for entertaining and daily retreat. Large mature trees over 40 feet tall frame nearly every window, creating a private enclave despite the central Highland Park West location.

The home offers two primary closets, a wet bar, tankless water heater, EV charging in the 2-car garage, and automatic sprinkler system across the landscaped lot. Walkability to Central Austin restaurants, shopping, and parks along with proximity to Lamar Middle School and McCallum High School makes this one of the few genuinely accessible luxury homes in this neighborhood. At $767 per square foot, the property represents a fully rebuilt, design-forward alternative to typical Highland Park inventory.

Highland Park West has the highest concentration of original mid-century ranch homes still standing in any Austin neighborhood west of MoPac. While other areas have torn down their 1950s houses to build new, Highland Park West has largely preserved its character, and that combination of period homes, big lots, and a live oak canopy with 60 years of growth gives the neighborhood a feel that no new construction can reproduce.

Highland Park West sits between MoPac to the east, Mount Bonnell and Lake Austin to the west, Bull Creek Road to the north, and Balcones Drive to the south. Downtown is about 12 minutes south on MoPac. The 35th Street corridor provides walkable access to Central Market, Tiny Boxwoods, and local shops. Mount Bonnell Road runs along the western edge, giving direct access to one of Austin's most iconic overlooks. The location is genuinely central - equidistant from downtown, the Domain, and the Arboretum.

Mid-Century Ranch homes account for roughly 45% of stock, defining the neighborhood's identity. These are single-story, three- and four-bedroom homes built between 1950 and 1970, typically 1,500 to 2,500 square feet on quarter-acre to half-acre lots. Many retain original rooflines, stone fireplaces, and terrazzo floors. Updated Ranch homes with modernized interiors make up about 25% and represent the sweet spot for buyers wanting character without a full renovation. Modern Hill Country builds account for 15%. Pricing starts around $800,000 for unrenovated originals and reaches $2 million for updated homes on premium greenbelt lots.

Highland Park West is served by Austin ISD. Casis Elementary draws families from across west Austin and consistently ranks among the district's top elementary schools. O. Henry Middle School continues the pipeline, and Austin High School completes it. Austin High's central location and strong college placement make it a draw for families wanting quality public education. Many Casis families walk to school along shaded residential streets, adding to the community feel.

The lifestyle is defined by what it is not. It is not a see-and-be-seen neighborhood. Streets curve with the terrain rather than following a grid, and lots are large enough that houses feel spaced apart. Perry Park and Dellana Park provide green space. Mount Bonnell and Mayfield Park are within five minutes. Bull Creek Greenbelt is accessible from the northern edge. For dining, Chez Zee has served comfort food on Balcones Drive for decades. Tiny Boxwoods brings its garden-setting farm-to-table concept. Postino in Bryker Woods does wine and bruschetta. Eldorado Cafe handles Tex-Mex. Bartlett's offers steaks and an old-school bar. Central Market on North Lamar serves as the de facto town square.

Highland Park West threads the needle between Tarrytown's higher prices and Rosedale's more modest scale. It offers larger lots and more character than Northwest Hills' production builds. It is more affordable than the Eanes ISD neighborhoods across MoPac. And it has a more residential feel than Clarksville, which has absorbed more commercial development. The main consideration is that many original homes need meaningful investment - new roofs, updated electrical, HVAC replacement, and kitchen renovations.

Highland Park West fits buyers who value architectural character and mature landscaping over new construction. It works for families wanting Casis Elementary and Austin High without the Tarrytown premium. It suits people who want proximity to downtown but prefer quiet, curving streets. And it draws buyers who appreciate mid-century design and want a home that feels like Austin rather than a suburb. If you need a brand-new kitchen and a four-car garage, you will pay a renovation premium. But if you want to live under a canopy of live oaks in a neighborhood that has resisted tearing everything down, Highland Park West is one of the few central Austin places where that is still possible.