Agave! East Austin ModernArchitect Designed Homes.

Agave, a new concept in neighborhood developments, is going up in East Austin today.

The concept, though simple, has been a tough idea to pull off in reality.  Essentially, it is a traditional subdivision with homes designed by some of the best architects specifically for the lots they will inhabit.  With 129 lots to be developed by 7 architects, Agave itself is phase three of Sendero Hills, phase one supplied low income housing by moving and refurbishing antique barracks from the recently converted Bergstrom Air Force Base, and selling them at reasonable prices to families at or below 80 percent of the Austin Area Median Family Income.  Phase two resembled a traditional tracked development, with low to middle income houses.  Phase three, or Agave, is an adventure to sell upscale housing to middle class individuals. 

Houses will range in price from $160,000 to $260,000.  Each home will be custom designed to the lot by one of the following six architects: ...

Casa Bella Architects, Emily Little Architects, KRDB Design-Build, FAB Architecture, The Lawrence Group, and Studio Momentum.  In addition to the “architect custom design” draw, Agave has also achieved the Austin S.M.A.R.T. and Green Building designations, which are a urban vision championed by Envision Central Texas.  A few of the energy efficient features that make Agave attractive are the 13 seer Rheam  HVAC, hot water on demand water heating, R-15 batt insulation in the walls, and R-30 batt insulation in the roof.  The building sites are sized from 5,500 square feet to 12,000 square feet, most with city views.

Agave's central draw will be the chance to own a architect designed home from some of the biggest names in Central Texas design.  Aside from the unique yet thoughtful floor plans, Agave's homes will have exteriors of hand laid stucco and James Hardi siding exteriors, some homes will have architectural metal panel roofs, dramatic Hanson Stone, or decorative stone, and all homes will be professionally landscapes (xero-scaped) by Floribunda.  Interior feature will include, stained concrete floors, a wide selection of second floor choices including bamboo and wood,  pre-wired for cat 5 telephones, and RG-6 for cable TV's, and installed security systems (owned).

Though this section of East Austin has had it's tribulations, the area is growing, and changing faster than anyone planned for.  Basic affordable housing for the middle and upper middle classes has been pushed out to the fringes of the city, causing an increase in traffic and longer commutes to and from work.  With the last statement in mind, Agave is literally 15 minutes from downtown, and a hop skip and a jump from central, north, and south Austin.

All in all, it looks to be a great addition to Austin, Tx, and a diverse and lively community.   After speaking with Carrie Bills at Green Mango Real Estate for this article (512-462-0043), I felt so enamored with the development and the concept that I drug my wife out to Agave to let her see the development.

For more information about Agave, visit Green Mango Real Estate.

Map of Sendero Hills

Comments

[Bill Keegan]

The prices (low $160-$260k) for the homes that will be located in the Sedero Hills ares are very over priced for that area of town.

In the area there are mutliple industrial areas, water treatment plant, landfills, higher crime rates than other areas of town.

[Elizabeth]

After a pretty extensive search for homes <$250, I disagree. While it is at the upper end, it has sufficiently unique aspects (views, home design) - and the development is large enough to allow these prices. There are no comparable homes in a comparable location. The are will grow up around it to provide more amenities, great opp for appreciation. As for crime, I currently live in one of the 'best' Austin neighborhoods and we have constant problems. Not all lower income people are criminals and we should stop thinking that, just because there is lower income housing, there is a crime problem. The works hoodlums I know come from the richest parents.

[Ed]

Agave is like one stop shopping for the worst conglomeration of contemporary buildings in the city. I'm embarassed for both the architects involved and those buying in to these "non-cookie cutter" none the less cookie cutter homes. Sad.