502 E Mary St, Austin, TX 78704

Set along a quiet, one-block stretch in the Mary Street Historic District, 502 E Mary St is a beautifully preserved 1930 Tudor Revival cottage that blends timeless character with thoughtful, modern enhancements. Located in the heart of Travis Heights, this home offers an authentic Austin lifestyle just moments from the city’s most iconic destinations.

The 902-square-foot main residence features 2 bedrooms and 1 bath, highlighted by original longleaf pine floors, abundant natural light, and classic double-hung windows that reflect the home’s historic roots. Recent updates include full interior and exterior painting, creating a fresh, cohesive feel while honoring the home’s original charm. The dine-in kitchen has been tastefully updated over time, offering both functionality and warmth.

Beyond the main home, a detached 491-square-foot guest house provides exceptional flexibility. Complete with a full bath, kitchenette, and storage, it’s ideal for guests, a private workspace, or potential rental income.

The outdoor spaces have been significantly enhanced with professionally designed landscaping that incorporates both hardscape and softscape elements. New perimeter fencing adds privacy and definition, while an in-ground sprinkler system supports lush, low-maintenance greenery. Towering Live Oaks frame both the front and backyard, casting a natural canopy over the property, while a spacious deck and open lawn create an inviting setting for entertaining or relaxing.

Situated within a protected historic district, the surrounding streetscape maintains its quiet charm and enduring appeal. All just minutes from South Congress, Stacy Park, Blunn Creek Greenbelt and some of Austin’s best restaurants, shops, and entertainment—502 E Mary St offers a rare opportunity to own a thoughtfully updated historic home in one of Austin’s most desirable neighborhoods.

Built in 1930, 502 E Mary St in the Mary Street Historic District is a Tudor Revival cottage that captures the romance of old Austin while functioning as a modern home. The 1,393-square-foot main residence sits on 0.1489 acres in Travis Heights, Travis Heights, surrounded by mature live oaks that tower over 40 feet and create a natural canopy across the property.

The bones of this 1930 home tell its story through original longleaf pine hardwood floors, double-hung windows, and crown molding that survive from its early decades. Recent work has honored rather than erased that history. The full interior and exterior painting unified the aesthetic while preserving the details that make old homes feel alive. The dine-in kitchen balances updated functionality with the warmth of a space designed for gathering. Cathedral ceilings and recessed lighting open up the main floor without breaking character. Built-in features, crown molding, and the primary bedroom situated on the main level show how thoughtful updates can serve both daily living and the home's original design language.

What sets this property apart is the 491-square-foot detached guest house with full bath and kitchenette. This isn't just an accessory building. It functions as a private workspace, guest quarters, or potential rental income stream depending on your lifestyle needs. An in-law floorplan with separate entrances gives the main residence and guest house independent access.

The landscape work is substantial. New perimeter fencing defines the property line while an in-ground sprinkler system keeps the large trees and lawn healthy without constant attention. A spacious deck and rear porch extend living into the outdoor spaces. The property sits on a quiet, one-block stretch within a protected historic district where streetscape character remains intact.

Located in Travis Heights within Austin ISD, the home's proximity to Travis Heights Elementary, Lively Middle School, and Travis High School anchors it in one of the district's most established neighborhoods. South Congress lies minutes north, Blunn Creek Greenbelt and Stacy Park offer trails and green space directly nearby, and the restaurants and shops along Mary Street itself reflect the neighborhood's bohemian core.

At $754 per square foot, this 1930 cottage offers the rarity of authentic period character in a neighborhood where those bones are increasingly hard to find. Days on market: 1. That tells you something about what buyers actually want in Austin's most established residential areas.

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.