Hyde Park is one of Austin’s most historic neighborhoods. According to the Texas Historical Commission, in 1891, when this “isolated area” was originally platted, it was marketed as “an affluent suburb featuring large, majestic residences.” These days, it’s hard to think of Hyde Park being a “suburb” of Austin, due to it’s close proximity of Downtown. During the first eight years of it’s development, Hyde Park living was aimed towards the elite and aristocratic. Local shops, churches, and schools were encouraged to build in the area. Avenue B Grocery, at 4403 Avenue B, and the Hyde Park Presbyterian Church, at 3915 Avenue B, are still around to this day. The first homes in this suburb were built by local prominent citizens in the Queen Anne style, such as the Oliphant-Walker House at 3900 Avenue C. However, due to a slow down in land sales, Hyde Park had to start marketing towards the more middle and working class. This also changed the style of homes that were being built. The style shifted towards smaller, more modest frame houses and bungalows, such as the Charles William Ramsdell House at 4002 Avenue H. This is what gives Hyde Park the eclectic variety of architecture we see today.

Living in Hyde Park

Today, we see a wide variety of residential and commercial property, tucked under towering Oak trees, filling every corner of Hyde Park. It’s hard to run out of choices for places to eat, from the quaint coffee shops and bakeries such as Flightpath Coffeehouse, Epoch Coffee, Dolci Vita, and Quack’s 43rd St. Bakery… to the well known and local favorite restaurants, such as Mother’s Café, Hyde Park Bar & Grill, and Asti Trattoria. The local grocery shops such as Avenue B Grocery or Fresh Plus Grocery are great if you need to grab something quick, and the HEB grocery store at the Hancock Center is by far my personal favorite HEB in Austin, for larger shopping trips. (I actually go out of my way to shop there.)

Homes in Hyde Park

If you’re planning on moving to the Hyde Park neighborhood, first you have to decide which style of home best suites your desires. You will still see many of the old Queen Anne style of homes from the 1890’s looking as majestic as ever, however there are many more of the bungalows and smaller homes built from the 1920’s to 1940’s. Also, with the close proximity to the University of Texas, you will find lots of apartments, condos, and garden homes or garage apartments tucked behind their main homes, used for rental properties.

This area is very popular for students because of the closeness to the University, though typically, you will see more graduate students and upper classmen. Monthly rentals can start at about $500 for a small efficiency apartment and go upwards of $3,000 a month for a large updated 3 bedroom bungalow. The area is also highly sought after for many young professionals and families. The average single family home sold price in 2008 was just over $400,000. That is an increase of over $170,000 since the year 2000, when the average sold price was about $230,000. For more updated information on homes for sell or lease in Hyde Park, please give me a call