A new master-planned community in East Austin is raising the bar for smart homes. Whisper Valley is a 2,062-acre mixed use development of more than 700 acres of parks and open space, retail, farm-to-table restaurants, garden offices, and impressive homes, all located off Texas SH-130 and FM 973, about eight miles east of downtown Austin.
Phase 1 is now open, and it features EcoSmart Certified homes by Avi Homes and Pacesetter Homes that utilize Whisper Valley’s innovative geothermal loop field, which is designed to save up to 65 percent on typical monthly home energy consumption. Whisper Valley homes use state-of-the-art Rehau piping in conjunction with the Bosch heat pump for heating and cooling — which also eliminates outdoor noise from the traditional compressors. Solar PV then generates enough energy to achieve zero-energy capable homes.
Starting from the low $200s, model homes are now open for touring and a wide variety of move-in ready homes are nearing completion. Whisper Valley also offers homebuyers a healthy lifestyle through unique amenities, including a 5,000-square-foot amenity center with a resort-style geothermal-heated pool, creative play areas, a fitness center, a multipurpose event and activity room, a Bosch Show Kitchen, and two electric car docking stations.
In addition, 700 acres of green space encompass neighborhood parks, miles of hike and bike trails, and wooded creekside nature paths. There are also plans to run a comprehensive organic farm program, with community gardens managed by Lettuce Networks. Residents can subscribe to weekly deliveries of delicious organic food grown right in the community.
As the first Google Fiber master-planned community in the world, Whisper Valley offers 1GB internet service available by move-in. Other elements of the EcoSmart program include Google Nest smart home technology (plus Nest Protect and Nest Thermostat), Google Home, and high-tech and highly efficient Bosch home appliances.
Whisper Valley also features two planned Del Valle ISD school sites, a transportation hub, and a fire station.
To visit Whisper Valley from SH-130, take exit 441 and head east on FM 97 to the community entrance, located on Braker Lane. Whisper Valley is located within Austin’s Desired Development Zone, 20 minutes from downtown Austin, 10 minutes from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, and 10-20 minutes from Google, Dell, and Samsung corporate campuses.
To celebrate its grand opening, Whisper Valley is hosting the Taste of East Austin on September 16 from 12-4 pm. The event — which celebrates East Austin’s vibrant music, art, food, and organic farming heritage — is free and open to the public.
There will be tours of the zero-energy capable model homes, as well as food-truck fare, craft brews and cocktails, live music, prizes, organic gardening presentations in the community garden, and culinary demonstrations in the Bosch Show Kitchen. The event is at Whisper Valley's Community & Discovery Center, 9400 Petrichor Blvd. For more information and directions, click here.
