Modern Austin, Rooted in Nature
Iconic Austin location. Remarkable setting. Rare opportunity.
Set immediately alongside the Barton Creek Greenbelt, 1325 Spyglass Drive occupies a rare position where some of Austin’s most treasured natural surroundings meet the city skyline. Panoramic views extend across Barton Creek and the Greenbelt toward Zilker Park, Downtown Austin and the Texas State Capitol, while Campbell’s Hole, The Flats, Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park are all within walking distance along the Greenbelt.
Perched above this extraordinary landscape, the extensively gut-remodeled, design-forward residence feels at once like a sophisticated urban treehouse and a modern mountain chalet—private and immersed in nature, yet only minutes from Downtown Austin.
The experience begins the moment you enter. An approximately 20-foot, two-story wall of glass opens the interior to treetops, rolling hills and the Austin skyline, while a sculptural steel floating staircase with Ipe and slate treads rises through the space beside an illuminated etched-glass railing. Soaring ceilings, natural materials and extraordinary light give the home an architectural presence that feels far larger than its approximately 1,730 square feet.
Beyond the glass, the view unfolds in layers. Barton Creek and the Greenbelt stretch below, with Campbell’s Hole and Zilker Park beyond the trees and Downtown Austin and the Texas State Capitol rising in the distance. At night, the skyline begins to glow; on summer evenings, fireworks illuminate the city; and each December, Austin’s beloved Zilker Holiday Tree becomes part of the view.
Step outside and the experience becomes even more remarkable. An expansive Ipe hardwood-and-steel deck extends the living space into the treetops, creating an extraordinary outdoor room above the Greenbelt. A private five-person hot tub overlooks the landscape and skyline beyond—an intimate vantage point from which the owners have watched fireworks, listened to music drifting across Zilker Park during ACL Fest, and observed red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and white-tailed deer moving through the natural landscape below.
The architecture was designed to embrace a setting that cannot simply be recreated somewhere else.
Completely Reimagined From the Inside Out
What makes 1325 Spyglass especially compelling is that the quality of the residence rises to the level of its extraordinary setting. This was not a cosmetic renovation completed for resale. The home underwent an extensive gut remodel and comprehensive reimagining, with the owners methodically improving not only what can be seen, but also the infrastructure behind the walls.
Plumbing, electrical systems, HVAC, ductwork, insulation, lighting, technology infrastructure and structural components received extensive attention. At the same time, the interiors were rebuilt using premium natural materials and custom craftsmanship chosen for durability, function and enduring design rather than short-term trends.
Ipe, soapstone, mesquite, maple, bamboo, slate, river rock, glass and steel create a rich material palette inspired by the natural landscape outside. Solid wood doors and trim reinforce the sense of quality throughout, while natural materials and handcrafted details bring warmth, texture and character to the home's modern architectural design. The result is sophisticated yet relaxed, architectural yet comfortable, with quality that extends far beyond what can immediately be seen.
A Kitchen Defined by Craftsmanship
The kitchen is one of the clearest expressions of the home's custom character. Rich hand-rubbed mesquite cabinet doors are paired with clear maple cabinetry, creating a warm, furniture-like composition. Natural soapstone countertops provide a timeless work surface, complemented by custom soapstone display shelving and a stainless-steel backsplash. Bosch appliances include a separate natural-gas cooktop, built-in electric oven, dishwasher and built-in microwave.
Look closer and the degree of customization becomes even more apparent. Power and cord management were integrated directly into countertops and adjoining workspaces. Dimmable LED lighting illuminates above and below the cabinetry, while commercial-grade sound-deadening material was incorporated into the shared kitchen wall.
An adjacent custom workspace incorporates cabinetry, power, networking and concealed storage for office equipment—an unusually thoughtful solution for working from home without allowing technology to dominate the room. Even the dedicated aquarium area was custom engineered with its own sink, concealed equipment storage, lighting controls and integrated routing for filtration and power. These are not decorative afterthoughts; they are evidence of a home designed around how people actually live.
Architecture With Personality
The floating staircase and dramatic wall of glass establish the architectural vocabulary, but the details continue throughout the residence. The custom steel staircase, finished with Ipe and slate treads, functions almost like a piece of sculpture. Its illuminated etched-glass railing introduces art and light into the architecture, while additional custom etched-glass elements near the deck create continuity between inside and out.
Commercial-grade Teragren bamboo flooring adds warmth throughout the main spaces, while slate, river rock and artisan tilework introduce texture and natural variation. The living area is anchored by a fireplace capable of burning either natural gas or wood, reinforcing the home's modern-chalet character. Concealed television power and connectivity preserve the clean architectural lines.
The approximately 1,730-square-foot, two-level floor plan includes two bedrooms, two full baths and one half bath, multiple living spaces, a versatile loft and an attached two-car garage. The loft provides valuable flexibility as a home office, library, creative studio, fitness area or secondary lounge. Altogether, the home lives considerably larger and more dramatically than its square footage suggests.
Spa-Inspired Private Spaces
The private spaces continue the emphasis on craftsmanship and comfort. The primary bath features radiant heated tile flooring, premium Grohe fixtures and independently controlled shower mixers with tall shower heads, creating a personalized, spa-like experience. Custom cabinetry, granite and artisan details continue the home's natural material palette.
The secondary bath incorporates a cast-iron tub and custom tilework, while the powder room becomes a small work of functional art. An above-counter granite vessel sink is paired with an Ipe-and-river-rock countertop, slate and river-rock flooring and handcrafted stone details. Hubbardton Forge lighting, Solatubes, integrated ventilation, motion-sensitive lighting and automatic closet lighting demonstrate how much attention was given even to details most homes overlook.
Outdoor Living in the Treetops
The deck deserves to be considered an extension of the architecture rather than simply an exterior amenity. Constructed with premium Ipe hardwood, steel railings and reinforced structural supports, it creates a substantial outdoor living and entertaining space suspended above the natural landscape.
The hot tub occupies one of the best seats in the house. From the water, Downtown Austin and the Capitol rise beyond the trees while the Greenbelt stretches below. The deck is equally suited to an early morning surrounded by birdsong, an afternoon after hiking or swimming, or an evening beneath the stars with the city illuminated in the distance.
A motorized awning provides additional flexibility, while custom etched-glass sidelights extend the home's artistic details outdoors. Below the deck is a large powered and illuminated covered area with permanent padded racks designed for kayaks, canoes and stand-up paddleboards. Beyond equipment storage, the sheltered space offers additional flexibility as a covered workspace, sitting area, hobby space or staging area for outdoor gear, further extending the functionality of the home's outdoor living environment.
Luxury Behind the Walls
Some of the most significant improvements at 1325 Spyglass are intentionally invisible. The home's plumbing was extensively replaced with PEX and configured around a manifold system providing individual fixture control and independent shutoff capability. Braided stainless-steel supply lines and quarter-turn shutoffs further enhance durability and serviceability.
Electrical infrastructure was substantially upgraded, including an enlarged electrical panel, whole-house surge suppression and additional exterior electrical capacity supporting major systems. A high-efficiency three-zone HVAC system, replaced ductwork and optimized ventilation allow individualized climate control throughout the residence, while additional attic insulation, a radiant barrier and solar-powered attic ventilation further improve thermal performance.
Hüper Optik nano-ceramic window film helps reduce heat and ultraviolet exposure while preserving the views, complemented by powered exterior sunshades. Sound-deadening improvements were incorporated into portions of the residence, and Type X drywall was installed along the shared wall and ceiling as part of the enhanced separation assembly.
All of this engineering serves a simple purpose: the systems quietly do their jobs so the architecture, views and lifestyle can remain the focus. A comprehensive inventory of the home's improvements and engineering enhancements is available separately for buyers who want to explore the details.
Thoughtfully Designed for Modern Living
Technology, security and storage received the same careful consideration as the visible finishes. A dedicated reinforced server closet/safe room incorporates double-studded construction, ¾-inch plywood-reinforced walls and ceiling, a substantial exterior-style door, hardwired low-voltage security infrastructure, conduit pathways for future technology expansion and a Google Fiber network interface.
Built-in cabinetry and full-extension storage appear throughout the residence. The primary closet includes a modular wood organization system, while floored attic space provides additional storage beyond what buyers might expect in a home of this size. The attached two-car garage includes a utility sink and additional electrical capacity.
A whole-house in-wall vacuum system, concealed television connectivity, automated lighting, raised laundry configuration and numerous custom built-ins further demonstrate the practical thinking that went into the renovation. The home's quality isn't simply visual; it is functional.
An Urban Treehouse for the Austin Outdoor Lifestyle
Perhaps the greatest amenity at 1325 Spyglass is the landscape immediately outside the door. The Spyglass Trailhead to the Barton Creek Greenbelt is just down the street, opening the neighborhood to miles of trails and some of Central Austin's most treasured natural destinations.
Walk from home along the Greenbelt to The Flats and Campbell's Hole for hiking, swimming or an afternoon beside Barton Creek. Continue along the Greenbelt and you can walk all the way to Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park. For runners, hikers, swimmers and nature lovers, that kind of access changes the way Austin can be experienced. The Greenbelt isn't somewhere you have to plan to visit; it becomes part of daily life.
Lady Bird Lake is also only a short drive away, putting kayaking, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding within easy reach. The home's purpose-built under-deck equipment storage makes it easy to keep outdoor gear ready for the next adventure. Return home, step into the hot tub and watch Downtown Austin illuminate beyond the trees.
A Front-Row Seat to Nature
The Greenbelt provides more than recreation; it creates a living backdrop. Native landscaping complements the surrounding environment, and a small wildlife watering area has helped attract some of the area's regular visitors. The owners have watched red-tailed hawks, great horned owls and white-tailed deer from the property.
Birdsong filters through the trees, the landscape changes with the seasons, and Barton Creek winds through the limestone terrain below. From inside, the wall of glass makes all of it part of the home, and it can be surprisingly easy to forget that Downtown Austin is only minutes away.
An Iconic Austin Location
This is where the Spyglass location becomes especially difficult to replicate. Walk down the street for breakfast tacos at Tacodeli or coffee and provisions at neighborhood favorite Rosy's Grocer & Coffee, or head the other direction and disappear into the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
Barton Springs Pool, Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, the Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, South Lamar, South Congress and Downtown Austin are all close at hand, while quick access to MoPac makes it easy to move through the city. Adding to the appeal, the residence is located within the acclaimed Eanes ISD, including Cedar Creek Elementary, Hill Country Middle School and Westlake High School.
It is truly the best of both worlds: an idyllic Austin location within Eanes ISD, combining the natural beauty and privacy of the Barton Creek Greenbelt with remarkably convenient access to Downtown Austin and many of the places that define the city's outdoor lifestyle.
A Sophisticated Lock-and-Leave Lifestyle
At approximately 1,730 square feet, 1325 Spyglass Drive combines dramatic living spaces, two bedrooms, flexible work-from-home space, an attached two-car garage, exceptional storage and substantial outdoor living in a highly manageable footprint.
The residence offers the freedom of a lock-and-leave lifestyle while retaining the architecture, privacy, outdoor space and connection to nature that give the property its distinctive character. Leave town with ease, or stay home and have the Barton Creek Greenbelt, Barton Springs, Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake and Downtown Austin become part of everyday life.
An Exceptional Austin Setting
1325 Spyglass Drive offers a rare convergence of architecture, craftsmanship and place. Extensively gut remodeled and thoughtfully reimagined, the residence combines custom natural materials, sophisticated infrastructure and distinctive architectural details with an extraordinary position above the Barton Creek Greenbelt.
The approximately 20-foot wall of glass, sculptural floating staircase, expansive Ipe deck and private hot tub were designed around a setting that changes throughout the day and across the seasons—from treetops and wildlife to sunsets, city lights, the Capitol dome and the Zilker Holiday Tree.
Just down the street, the Spyglass Trailhead connects to the Barton Creek Greenbelt, with Campbell’s Hole, The Flats, Barton Springs Pool and Zilker Park all within walking distance along the trail. Downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake, South Lamar and South Congress remain remarkably close.
The finishes can be recreated. The systems can be upgraded. Even the architecture can be reimagined. But this combination of Greenbelt, Barton Creek, Zilker and Downtown Austin views cannot simply be replicated somewhere else.