Austin is rich with history, and its houses chronicle the stylistic changes presented from each distinct era. With the help of RentCafé, who put together a visual representation of how Austin’s homes have evolved over the years, we scoped out 10 interesting home designs from Austin's top neighborhoods, each from a different era.
Starting in the 1870s and finishing in the 2000s, these are the pinnacle of Austin’s historic markers and architectural beauties.
1870s
Central East Austin: Newton House
Built in 1874, this East Austin home is designed in the American Foursquare style, which was popular in the late 1800s to early 1900s. The historic building exudes sophistication with its dual porch design, darkly hued siding, and spacious interiors. This single-family residence is 7,077 square feet.
1880s
Old West Austin: Ziller House
With 3,294 square feet of living space, the Ziller House was built in 1881 for Henry and Bertha Ziller. The Queen Anne style home is a baroque architectural design and remained in the family for nearly 60 years.
1890s
Downtown Austin
This historic residence has a two-story entrance with massive columns that enhance the Greek Revival-style mansion. Built in 1894, the 13,719-square-foot home has an asymmetrical design featuring two dormers, two chimneys, and matching windows.
1900s
Hyde Park: Hildreth-Flanagan-Heierman House
Master-builder William Voss, in a mix of Queen Anne and Colonial Revival architectural styles, built this Hildreth-Flanagan-Heierman House. Located in charming Hyde Park, the 6,244-square-foot home features three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The porch had a total cost of $2,718 back in 1902 when it was built.
1920s
Hancock: Edgar H. Perry Jr. House
Built in 1929, the Edgar H. Perry Jr. House models a Tudor Revival architectural style, which features Medieval-like elements. A company that specialized in brick-veneered and rock houses constructed the home, noted in the stone details of the house.
1930s
Hyde Park: Robert H. and Edith Ethel McCauley House
Also built in the Tudor Revival style, this home offers 3,272 square feet of living space. The arched entryway and the high-pitched roof provide a classic example of this popular 20th century design.
1940s
Tarrytown
The two-story, Mediterranean-inspired residence of this 9,514-square-foot home features five bedrooms and six bathrooms. The numerous rooflines accent the rosy tone, complementing the soft pink hue of the stucco.
1970s
Lakeway
This modern mansion is a whopping 14,520 square feet of living space (five beds and six baths). The style still influences present-day architectural styles that you see throughout Austin with similar stone exteriors and tin roofs. The paver driveway gives a very inviting and 1970s feel to the home.
1990s
River Pointe
Located off of the Colorado River, to say this home is big would be an understatement. The massive, 28,008-square-foot domain was built in 1994 and highlights modern Mediterranean design. With seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms, it’s the perfect spot for entertaining, building intrigue with its asymmetrical design. Worth $3.4 million, it was sold in 2013.
2000s
Westlake
Emerging in the 1970s, the modern design we see around Austin is a popular build choice for many. While the term can encompass many styles fitting within modernist architecture, this home features the classic cubic shape and creates an almost tech-like feel to the overall appearance. Sold in 2012 for $2.4 million, the 21,772-sqaure-foot home has six bedrooms and five baths.
1902 Hyde Park Hildreth-Flanagan-Heierman House.
An example of a kitchen in a one-bedroom apartment at Ekos City Heights.Photo courtesy of the City of Austin