Stunning Renovated 1907 House by Downtown & Lake, with Bikes and Food!
- Minimum stay:N/A
- Internet:Yes
- Pets allowed:No
- Wheel chair accessible:No
Enjoy the best of both old and new in a 1907 house that was fully renovated from 2007-2010! Original longleaf pine floors and ceilings are painstakingly restored, and there's lots of other gorgeous wood throughout the house, including a custom spiral staircase. The house is about 1770 sq. ft. and has 10.5-ft. ceilings (and a vaulted ceiling in the living room), so it feels very spacious and uplifting. There's high-quality craftsmanship throughout the house and modern amenities like a luxurious master shower.
In addition to the master bedroom/bathroom, the upstairs room and living room are also available. The upstairs room is at the top of the spiral staircase. There’s no door, but it’s fairly private. There’s another full bathroom right at the base of the stairs. There's a full-size futon upstairs, and I have air mattresses that I can put up there (or elsewhere) as well. And, in the living room, there's a sofa that converts to a very comfortable queen-size bed. The living room can be closed off with doors. Both the master bedroom and upstairs room have an empty chest for clothes, and there's room for your clothes in the master bedroom closet, too.
The kitchen is very well outfitted, and there will be fresh fruit, homemade muesli and yogurt, eggs (often from the back yard), coffee, juice, and cereal/oatmeal available to you.
The neighborhood is a charming residential area close to the river and the heart of downtown. There are lots of parks, Mexican (and other) restaurants, places to buy a piñata…whatever you need! The airport is about 15 minutes away.
I’ll do whatever I can to make your visit as comfortable and wonderful as possible!
NOTE: A cat lives in the house when there are no guests (but will not be there when you're staying there). The house will be vacuumed, but someone with allergies might be uncomfortable. Some of the reviews allude to me and/or Elizabeth staying there, too -- we don't do that anymore when there are guests, so you'll have the house to yourselves.
Property Type
- House
Accommodation Type
- Vacation Rental
Suitability
- Pets Not Allowed
- Non Smoking Only
Bedrooms
- 1 Bedrooms, Sleeps 8, Beds for 2-8
- Bedroom 1
- Other (See Description)
Bathrooms
- 2.0 Bathrooms
- Bathroom 1
- Bathroom 2
Kitchen & Dining
- Refrigerator
- Microwave
- Dishwasher
- Cooking Utensils
Amenities
- Air Conditioning
- Linens Provided
Other Amenities
Entertainment
- DVD Player
- Satellite / Cable
- Stereo
- CD Player
- Video Library
- Music Library
Communications
- Broadband Access
- Telephone
- Wireless Internet
Outdoor Features
- Outdoor Grill
Location & View
- Car Not Necessary
Activities
- Museums
- Cycling
- Fishing
- Swimming
- Golf
- Basketball Court
- Mountain Biking
- Hiking
- Freshwater Fishing
- Sailing
- Medical Services
- Laundromat
- Hospital
- Groceries
- ATM/Bank
- Miniature Golf
- Sight Seeing
- Antiquing
- Shopping
- Boating
- Walking
- Cinemas
- Restaurants
- Live Theater
- Recreation Center
- Playground
- Library
- Churches
- Tennis
- Kayaking
Other Activities
Reviews
Write a review-
Bachelor Party: Great house!
Bachelor Party: Great house!
- Guest Paul
- Date of stay 03/23/12
- Review Submitted 03/26/12
The house was really great, and Bruce was a great host who gave us some spot on restaurant recommendations while we were in Austin. We had a group of 8 guys staying there for a bachelor party, and the house is in a great location for anything you could want to do in Austin. Thanks Bruce!Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 6/6
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Austin Gem
Austin Gem
- Guest Dave
- Date of stay 02/05/12
- Review Submitted 02/18/12
Lovely house, bright and clean and spacious. The breakfasts were a treat and having the use of a bicycle was a plus. I cycled everywhere from this central location, from the university to South Congress; the Town Lake bike/walking path is only a couple of blocks away. True, the house is shared with Bruce, so the only totally private space is the large bedroom and en suite. This arrangement might not suit everyone, but I liked it. I was on my own and I enjoyed having Bruce around. He's easy to talk to, very helpful re Austin info, and respectful of guests' privacy. I'd gladly stay here again.Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, adventure seekers.
Owner response: A quick note for future guests: I used to stay in the house as well while guests were here, but I don't do that anymore. So, you will have the house to yourselves.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8
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Best way to start the day
Best way to start the day
- Guest Melissa
- Date of stay 10/14/11
- Review Submitted 11/11/11
What a great way to start each day with a wonderfully homemade breakfast after a good nights sleep. Bruce has lovingly restored his home and it was the perfect place to unwind at the end of a day full of taking in all the sights that Austin has to offer. Location is perfect for taking advantage of Austins very resonable and friendly public transportation. Great references for things to see and do in the greater Austin area were on hand and provided several days adventures that hadn't been thought of prior to the trip. Bruce was very helpful as well with suggestions on getting around. Couldn't have picked a better place to call home during a wonderful week in Austin, can't wait to go back.Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 8/8
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A wonderful, friendly home away from home
A wonderful, friendly home away from home
- Guest Ben
- Date of stay 08/07/11
- Review Submitted 08/17/11
Eight of us stayed here for a week in August to attend a scientific conference. Bruce was very helpful and patient with our large and scattered group. The house is modern, clean, and beautiful inside, and is located in a nice neighborhood right near a bus line, pool, and the river jogging path. As promised, Bruce cooked us all a wonderful homemade breakfast each day we were there - one of the best parts of the stay. We had considered staying at a large conference hotel in the city center but were so glad we made this choice instead. A great option!Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers.
Owner response: They were a great group. As mentioned in a response to another review, I used to stay in the house as well (and often make breakfast), but I don't do that anymore. You'll have the house to yourself and will have some food available but not prepared breakfasts (unless we make arrangements for that).
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 12/12
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Wonderful weekend getaway stay
Wonderful weekend getaway stay
- Guest Sara
- Date of stay 06/10/11
- Review Submitted 06/18/11
My husband and I loved our stay with Bruce and Elizabeth. We learned about a new side of town and new places to go...thanks to Bruce. The space was perfect for us...great bed, great shower, and the food was fabulous. We appreciated the books we could use to find new things to do and the overall comfort provided to us during our stay. We definitely recommend this place to future travelers and look forward to coming back ourselves. We wish you much success with both your personal and business ventures.Recommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway, adventure seekers, girls getaway, people with disabilities.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 15/15
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AMAZING house, location and roomates!
AMAZING house, location and roomates!
- Guest JohnnyBouchard
- Date of stay 03/16/11
- Review Submitted 04/06/11
We collectively had 5 people staying with Bruce and Elizabeth during SXSW this year and our stay was amazing! The house, which has been amazingly restored, is gorgeous (the master bathroom will make you want to take a 3 hour shower). The location is a $5 cab ride to downtown, but is totally walkable. The breakfast is amazing as well. Bruce and Elizabeth made us better food than you can get at any brunch spot in Austin. Bruce and Elizabeth go over and beyond breakfast though, they are amazing hosts and went way out of their way to make sure we were taken care of, even when we woke them up at 3 am trying to sneak back in from a late night on the town! Your hosts are also some of the most knowledgeable Austin residents in the city. You can ask them any question about food, places to visit, how to get around and they will give you the insider info! This is definitely one of the best places you can stay in Austin! Check it out!! JohnnyRecommended for: Age 55+, sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway.
Owner response: It was a fun little adventure hosting Johnny and his crew during SXSW! We don't stay in the house with the guests anymore, so now you get a great house without the built-in roommates!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 20/20
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From Boston to Austin
From Boston to Austin
- Guest Kirsten
- Date of stay 03/24/11
- Review Submitted 03/31/11
This was my first time using VRBO, and my experience with Bruce & Elizabeth has convinced me that it is the best way to travel! If you're looking to truly get to know the city beyond what you can find on Trip Advisor, definitely stay here. They had tons of great recommendations on where to go, and they went out of their way to make sure we saw as much of the city as possible. My boyfriend and I sporadically decided we wanted to go on a long weekend vacation, and our pleasant housing experience with Bruce & Elizabeth made it so memorable. From the bikes, to board games, to rockin' breakfast every morning, we couldn't have asked for a better stay. I can't say enough nice things about this lovely couple!Recommended for: Sightseeing, romantic getaway, tourists without a car, adventure seekers, girls getaway.
Owner response: Kirsten and her boyfriend were a delight to host. We love helping people explore Austin. We just got a brand new sofa in the living room, too, on which to enjoy all those board games (or watch TV, or sleep, if you're part of a larger group)!
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 19/19
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Wow! Can't say enough good things...
Wow! Can't say enough good things...
- Guest Maia
- Date of stay 03/26/11
- Review Submitted 03/28/11
My fiance and I had the opportunity to be hosted by Bruce and Elizabeth to celebrate our upcoming nuptials! They were nothing short of amazing...always asking if they could help us with anything, making us feel completely comfortable, and even took the time to socialize with us. They were even gracious enough to accept two more guests for the night and help them get settled in at 3:00 a.m.! You cannot ask for more personal and responsive service. This was a genuine Austin experience. If you are looking to feel like one of the locals...this is the place to do it! There were many books displayed around the house to give suggestions on what to do in the area. The amenities were plentiful...Bruce and Elizabeth did not look over one detail! The house was amazing, and was even more amazing to hear about. It was immediately obvious to us that they took great time and care with their home. They had everything we could think of and then some! They welcomed us in as friends in the true Austin spirit which I have grown to love. Breakfast was fabulous and the accommodations were very comfortable. There is honestly not one negative thing I would say about our visit. THANK YOU, BRUCE AND ELIZABETH!!!Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car, girls getaway.
Owner response: You’re welcome! We're so glad we were able to help Maia, her fiancé, and some friends celebrate by sharing our home! This was the first time we hosted a party for a VRBO guest. They were a really respectful group, and we'd be happy to host other small parties in the future.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 20/20
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Sxswi guest
Sxswi guest
- Guest Nigel
- Date of stay 03/10/11
- Review Submitted 03/20/11
I came to Austin for the the SxSWi conference and Bruce & Elizabeth were fantastic hosts during my stay. They ensured I had a great breakfast every morning, had a great tips for sightseeing and getting around, and overall they took care to make sure my stay was pleasant. They're a genuinely friendly couple. The room is spacious, the bed is comfortable, and the shower is fantastic. The house and room is clean and well kept. Bruce gave me a ride into town on several occasions, which is only about a mile east of the conference center, and they gave me a bike to get around town. I had a great time in Austin and enjoyed staying with Bruce and Elizabeth.Recommended for: Sightseeing, tourists without a car.
Owner response: We really enjoyed hosting and helping Nigel! Just to clarify distances: we're 1.4 miles east of the convention center, which is in the heart of downtown. Also, as mentioned elsewhere, we don't stay in the house with guests anymore.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 21/21
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Getaway weekend in Austin
Getaway weekend in Austin
- Guest j
- Date of stay 03/05/11
- Review Submitted 03/10/11
We definitely recommend this fabulous home to anyone looking for a relaxing and comfortable way to getaway, with some of the comforts of home. Bruce and Elizabeth did a wonderful job communicating with us about the property before we got there and took time to help us while we were there. They offered suggestions, (on everything form attractions and sites to see, to restaurants and bus routes), shared wonderful food and their house is gorgeous. It is obvious that much time and love and thought has gone into making this an inviting, welcoming home. It is colorful and comfortable and the pictures just don't do it justice. We also had a delicious breakfast each morning of our stay. Bruce and Elizabeth were very considerate and asked about food preferences and allergies and catered breakfast to us while sharing some of their own specialties. The bed is comfortable. She shower wonderful. The space is inviting and the hosts are just so thoughtful. We were also able to get around town from here without a car, using cabs, buses and they have bikes too. You get more than just a place to stay, when you stay here - you get a beautiful and comfortable home, filled with great ideas and suggestions from gracious hosts and delicious food. We are so glad we stayed there on our trip to Austin. This is a wonderful property to consider for your stay.Recommended for: Sightseeing, adventure seekers, girls getaway.
Owner response: It was a real pleasure hosting Jennifer and her friend as our first guests! We've since shifted the arrangement a bit & don't stay in the house and make breakfast anymore; so, now you'll have some food available to prepare if you'd like and the house to yourself.
Did you find this review helpful? Yes | No Helpful votes: 23/23
Rates
All rates include a serve-yourself breakfast and 2 bikes. No cleaning fee! 1-2 people: $250/nt. 3-4 people: $300/nt. 5-6 people: $360/nt. 7-8 people: $450/nt No cleaning fee! $300 minimum for a single Friday or Saturday night Weekly rates: $1,240 for 1-2 people, $1,860 for 3-4, $2,230 for 5-6, $2790 for 7-8 Special rate for ACL, SXSW, and F1. Add 15% lodging tax
Note: Until confirmed, rates are subject to change without notice.
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Location
- Nearest Airport: Austin at 6.5 Miles
- Nearest Motorway: I-35 at 1.1 Miles
Owner info
Year Purchased: 2007
About the owner: Hi! I'm a youngish, friendly, active guy. I put a lot of work into the house, and I love sharing it -- and Austin -- with guests. In addition to cooking, I enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities and live music, and I'd be happy to provide some suggestions to help you get the most out of your time in Austin.
Why the Owner Chose Downtown:
First of all, I love Austin. There's a lot going on, tons of wonderful music, and the people are friendly and real. If you can take some heat in the summer, the climate's great, too. This particular neighborhood stood out because it really feels like a neighborhood (e.g., lots of long-time residents), there are lots of trees and parks, and it's very close to both the hike/bike trail along the lake and to the heart of downtown. The houses are colorful, too, which you can see I took to heart in mine as well.
The Unique Benefits at this House:
Biking, running, or throwing a frisbee down by the lake 3-4 blocks away; biking downtown easily (1.5 miles); authentic Mexican restaurants within a couple blocks; and, honestly, I enjoy just being in the house after working so hard on the renovation.
Contact us
- Primary: 512-535-8152
- Click Here to see All My Rental Listings
Photos
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Living room. A double pocket door separates it from the dining room and kitchen.
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Kitchen, through the dining room, and into the living room. Space to dance!
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Front hallway; spiral staircase made with wood reclaimed from the house's walls.
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Upstairs. A spacious yet cozy room with a futon and room for air mattresses.
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Dining room from the stairs. There are now new handmade curtains and rods, too.
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Hall bathroom. It's not quite as starkly white as it looks here.
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Living room, with the sofa opened up as a bed (but with back cushions still).
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Le front. Easy to find!
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Living room, through dining room, into the kitchen. (Shelves are neater now!)
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Master bedroom. (With cat tree but no cat, & there are now black-out curtains.)
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Upstairs #2. There's now a nice wooden chest here for you, too.
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Kitchen
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Master bathroom. The color isn't as intense as it came through in this picture.
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This listing was first published here in 2011.
Date last modified - Thursday, February 21, 2013
512-535-8152