3101 Rivecrest
$899,000
p. 1 of 4
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Stan Barron Properties
is a licensed Texas real estate broker
512.345-8585
First, let's talk about the location of this residence. It is on one of the city's most picture-perfect little streets imaginable--a quaint, narrow, tree-lined boulevard that is all charm (see map p.3). The address is 3101 Rivercrest Drive.
If you like the idea of buying a
home surrounded by more expensive houses, it is a formula in
evidence here as current prices run in excess of three
million dollars. That is because this street runs along a
scenic stretch of Lake Austin. Obviously, this house is on
the non-waterfront
side of the street. And please be aware, the trees are so
thick here, you don't get a lake view from this house. But,
you will not be disappointed when you discover what the
house itself is like, and the amazing setting that unfolds
when you step through the back door. Some homes have "nice"
backyards. Some have "manicured" setting, but this one, dear
reader, is in the National-Geographic-mind-bending-slice-of-
category.
Keep in mind just how big this lot
is--100' wide and over 300' deep. For those of you who are
not great with numbers, that is longer than a football
field! When you get your first glimpse through the back
windows, you will instantly understand the "rain forest"
label noted in the headline above. Here is what you will
discover. The area in back is all natural--the first
sixty-feet behind the house are mainly level and include
large terraces and flower beds. The pool and waterfall have
been intentionally designed to resemble a pond. For example,
the diving platform is a boulder, not a springboard.
However,
you will likely not even notice the pool because of the
spectacle of nature that absolutely dwarfs the house. What
you now realize is the house is at the base of a mountainous
hill so tall, you get only a glimpse of sky along the upper
ridgeline. Formed millions of years ago, this upheaval of
earth is now completely covered with giant boulders,
towering trees and and oversized plants. You will also
notice a symphony of sounds--the waterfall cascading from
the spa into the pool, songbirds in the high-up canopies of
trees, and the wind swaying treetops back and forth. So
thick with giant trees, the entire area is wrapped in shady
comfort. It is as if the back yard area here is its own
ecosystem--you can even detect the lower temperature as
banks of air roll down the hillside across the earth-cooled
plants and rock outcroppings.When you need your world to
spin a little slower, this setting will be your
sanctuary.
What Is The House Like?
If you want to know why great architects are so
expensive, study a house like this and never again will you
question their fees. This home was designed by Jim LaRue.
Even though this home is not large (2,812 sq. ft.), it looks
very substantial from the street. The exterior is wrapped in
large-block stone with a hand-hewn finish. Glance at the
photograph at the top of the page and notice all of the rich
detailing-&emdash;a tall rotunda, shutter-clad lanai with
exposed beams underneath, and an artisan-made front door
with eyebrow arch.
Built in 1995 (you will probably want to do some updating), the address of the home is 3101 Rivercrest Drive. It has three bedrooms, three fireplaces, library, artist's studio and two large attic rooms for storage of bulky items like suitcases, camping gear and holiday decorations. There are two average-sized bedrooms on the first floor--the large master bedroom (with fireplace and sitting room) are on the second floor.
There are many custom touches throughout the house. For example, all three fireplaces are the old-fashioned kind--no aluminum fireboxes here--these are genuine, brick-lined fireplaces made for big logs. Many of the room entrances are accented with arches and hand-carved wooden columns. Some of the downstairs living spaces are defined with tall ceilings and wood beams. The front door was built on-site by an artist. He was so inspired by the setting he carved two lovebirds into the intricate design. There is also a metal-cast heart imbedded into the overall pattern (see if you can find them when you visit the house). The couple that designed the house lived in Hawaii before coming to Austin, and this influence is detectable in this home's breezy, free-flowing personality. And speaking of romantic, the pool is totally private, as in bathing-suits-are-optional kind of privacy. When is the last time you went skinny-dippin' with your sweetie?
Oh, the fun of living next to the
lake!
The current owners never built out their boat slip, but
this sale includes the last deeded dock site (about a
3-block walk) at the south end of Rivercrest. Subject to the
property permit, you can construct anything from a simple
open-slip to a two-story dock with a boat lift underneath
and party-deck on the second level. Imagine taking guests to
dinner by boat. How dashing! Or start your weekend morning
with an early morning fishing trip just as the fog is
lifting off the surface of the water. The home is not on the
market yet, but it will be in the coming days or
weeks.
Here is your chance to live in a fabulous lakeside neighborhood, in a home that was designed by a renowned architect. There are three fireplaces, a pool, and you get a boat slip. And then there is the spectacular lot--with its well-trimmed, flower-bed laced estate-like front yard--and its back yard that looks like it should be on the cover of a nature magazine. The sellers are represented by Stan Barron Properties at 512.345-8585.
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