Weird Homes of Austin
The Weird Homes Tour is searching for Austin's most bizarre abodes
The Broken Spoke. The Cathedral of Junk. Eeyore's Birthday. These are just a few of Austin's weird legacies that — although they've experienced their own transformations — have withstood the city's changing landscape. And just like those gems, there are homes around town that reflect the culture of Austin: they may not look the same, but they're all a little weird.
In an effort to honor our proclivity for the weird, the newly formed Weird Homes Tour is seeking submissions from locals whose homes embody an authentic Austin vibe.
The tour, which is slated for its inaugural run in September 2014, was co-founded by David J. Neff of Lights. Camera. Help. and Chelle Morrison of Urban Betty who, from their respective neighborhoods and viewpoints, have watched Austin grow and change over the years. While the founders aren't opposed to Austin's continued transformation, they still want to spotlight those things that are inherently "Austin."
On June 1, the Weird Homes Tour began an open call for submissions. To submit a home, the owner simply goes online, fills out a short form (including why their home should be considered) and shares a few photos of the space. So what categorizes as weird? The tour is open to everything from the funky to the irreverent. "It's called the Weird Homes Tour, but we mean that in a really positive way," says Director of Marketing Matt Glazer.
As for the tour, it's still in the planning stages, but the team has outlined a few pieces of the puzzle. Tickets will be available for a price that keeps it accessible (approximately $15); and a portion of the sales will go directly to Caritas of Austin, a nonprofit that provides services to those experiencing poverty. There will also be a VIP party at a to-be-determined location.
Organizers initially planned for the first tour to feature five to seven homes, but based on initial interest, Glazer anticipates that number to grow. But it's not the number of homes that will make this tour special, it's the authenticity of its mission.
"Right now," Glazer says, "the plan is to honor the history of Austin."
