Ensconced in Nature and Luxury this Austin Home is Magical

When the temperature is in the teens that is when my computer calls to me. Not only does my computer put out enough warmth to make my legs nice and toasty but it allows me to search for homes that are different and preferably in a location that is somewhat warmer. My searching took me to Austin where I have found a house that can only be described as magical.

There was no way I could not find out more about this home located in the Apache Shores neighborhood where residents can access Lake Austin through a community only boat launch. The saying goes “Keep Austin Weird.” This home keeps Austin magical.

The story of this home begins with two cousins who fell in love with architect John Allen’s Glass House located on Manitou Drive. When the cousins were not successful in getting Allen to sell them his home, they decided to build their own, said Valerie Tait, owner, listing agent, and one-half of the cousin team that had the courage to follow their dream.

“When you’re in your mid-20s, you are excited and you are not afraid to try things,” Tait said. “We thought why not try to build our own glass house.” 

Allen agreed to design their glass house and after being told they were either “crazy or stupid to build” their dream home, they got Blair Drenner of Luxor Custom Homes to do the construction, Tait said.”

Labor of Love

With glass walls standing 30 feet high, Tait said it took two years for the home to be constructed. “It was not easy getting that much steel and glass into a cliff,” she said but the end result was worth the effort.

Larger than the Allen Glass House they tried to buy, this home makes great use of all the space both inside and outside of the home.

The interior design of the home was done by Tait as well. She said the slate staircase with its many earthy tones is what has guided her choice of decor.

A little more than 2,100 square feet in size, the bedrooms and baths are spacious and intended to spoil the homeowner.

It’s Magical

While her focus is no longer on her glass house, Tait said the memories of building the home and enjoying the natural beauty of the property is something she will always treasure.

“It almost felt like you were walking into an aquarium,” she said. “It was like stepping into another world.”

“You take energy from your surroundings. The energy here is so calming because you are surrounded by trees and nature,” Tait said. “When the right person goes through they’ll have to have it.”

See more of this Apache Shores home which is listed for $1,450,000.