How Design and Innovation are Taking Over Austin’s East Side

A major player in Austin’s neighborhood scene is experiencing an evolution overhaul.

It’s the East Side.

Surprised?

Viewed rather sourly in the not-so-distant past, this area is Austin’s greatest underrated underdog.

And I love underdogs. 🙂

Recently named by Forbes as number seven on “America’s Hippest Hipster Neighborhoods,” East Austin is buzzing with some of the best Mexican eateries in the city, quaint coffee shops, farmer’s markets (love the Mueller neighborhood’s), and foodie heaven on wheels, a la food trucks.  East ATX – now couched with adjectives like “trendy,” “hip,” and “innovative.”

And the City’s got an “app” for that.  With major infrastructure improvements taking shape, courtesy of the East Riverside Corridor Master Plan, the true vision for the East Side is in its infancy.

Speaking of vision, recent clients of mine, Taryn Hall Sigurðsson and Finn Sigurðsson, owners of isARK Studio – an architectural design firm – are sharing their belief in Austin’s East Side.  They purchased a beautiful, one-owner home off East MLK, with the intention of remodeling it to fit the smart design-and-build concepts that can be seen throughout the area, including the prestigious Mueller neighborhood.  They will be sharing time-lapse photography and updates during their redesign project.  Here’s the “first” photo – at time-of-sale and pre-renovation:

So much potential and ready for isARK Studio’s touch.  I am anxiously awaiting the remodel!  🙂

Other projects are creating a stir in East Austin, as well.  The Riverside Grove, a town-home complex that the GoodLife Team represents, lends to an affordable price-point (under $195,000) within minutes of Downtown, Austin-Bergstrom airport, the savvy South Congress shopping district and Austin’s legendary 6th Street.

East Austin is authoring its own legend in the eclectic persona that is Austin, Texas.

Can’t wait to see you all grown up, E-ATX.