Located in the heart of Austin's storied Travis Heights neighborhood, this residence expands upon a historic home with an addition designed to fit the homeowner’s lifestyle. The resulting design honors the building’s past while updating the space for modern living. The vision for the addition was clear: it should not mimic or be confused with the rare and original structure. Instead, the addition is true to its time, reflecting the evolving character of the South Congress and Travis Heights neighborhoods, and considering how the home will be lived in almost 200 years after it was first built.

Originally built by James Gibson Swisher in 1851, the home embodies over a century of history. Swisher, a Texas Ranger and signatory of the Texas Declaration of Independence, constructed the second oldest brick home in Texas using bricks made in a kiln he built along the banks of the Colorado River. Expanded in 1889 with a Victorian addition, the home retains its original brick foundation as the first floor of the home, showcasing the inventive craftsmanship of 19th-century builders.

The owner, deeply dedicated to Austin's history, was drawn to the challenge of preserving its legacy while creating a modern, livable space. This commitment guided every decision, from material selection to landscape design. The intentional addition of a large glass structure facing due north showcases stunning views of downtown and intimately connects you to the land, nature and the thriving young city.

Before it's renovation, the home showed signs of considerable wear. There were challenges in working on a historic house and the project required skilled craftsmen capable of restoring the intricate 19th-century woodwork. The attic suffered from a fire in the 1920s leaving charred remnants. To celebrate the depth of the home's past, the burnt wood was preserved and repurposed as ceiling material for the ground floor spa bathroom.

The interiors reveal a harmony of old and new, with layers of rich history complemented by modern lines and artistic sculptures. The original preserved parts of the home evoke a moody, lounge-like atmosphere with elegant textures and ambient lighting, while the modern addition is bright, open, and airy, ideal for gatherings. Connected by a grand spiral staircase, the progression of the four levels of the home feature playful patterns and hidden nooks, illuminating a unique living experience of merging past and present.

During the restoration, the owner found 19th century horseshoes, numerous arrowheads, and limestone fossils of giant clams on the property which come from the Cretaceous period—145 to 66 million years ago. These fossils are artfully embedded throughout the limestone in the home and landscape, as a reminder of the history of the native land.

Fostering biodiversity around existing live oaks on a rare 1.25-acre plot located off South Congress, the owner’s vision celebrates Texas' ecosystem. The landscaping requires minimal maintenance, enhancing the home's timeless charm and creating a sustainable, tranquil escape. Among the native gardens, the expansive back yard is multifunctional and includes a pool, lawn games court, sunken garden, fire pit, and putting green as well as a landscaped prairie roof meadow on top of the cabana, integrated within the natural surroundings. The view of native grasses, wildflowers, and the downtown skyline, combined with the sounds of wildlife, creates a serene yet vibrant living environment.

This Travis Heights historic home celebrates the threshold of the old and new and is a testament to enduring care of Austin’s history.