504 E Annie St, Austin, TX 78704

Wow! Plenty of homes claim to be architecturally inspired, but few truly live the narrative. Featured in Austin Monthly and Architizer, this thoughtfully designed residence is a rare blend of spatial generosity, environmental consciousness, and effortless functionality. Custom-designed by architect Tom Hurt in 2012, this beautifully designed 4 bed, 3 bath home offers 3 additional, intentionally designed living spaces that make urban living in Travis Heights feel distinctly Austin. At its heart, a stunning protected Heritage Oak shapes a collection of flexible, hybrid spaces that adapt to the way you live, work, create, and unwind. The floor plan is as versatile as it is inspired. The primary suite level offers the potential for a parent-and-nursery configuration, while the attic yoga studio could easily transform into a moody speakeasy, a music room, or your own creative retreat. Here, thoughtful design meets the freedom to make a home uniquely yours. And the commitment to thoughtful living extends beyond the architecture. The home earned a 4-star Austin Energy Green Building rating and features durable siding made from 80% recycled rubber, marrying sustainability with lasting performance. Of course, location is everything—and this one delivers. Just around the corner from the vibrant heartbeat of South Congress, you can spend the afternoon exploring Austin’s iconic shops, restaurants, and local haunts, then shift gears with a peaceful stroll along the Blum Creek Greenbelt or a refreshing dip at Big Stacy Pool. Architectural intention, adaptable living, sustainable design, and an unbeatable Travis Heights location. Honestly, does it get more Austin than this?

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.