Key Takeaways:
– A new enclave of modern estates called Five is being developed in West Lake Hills, Austin, Texas.
– The gated complex consists of five architecturally noteworthy homes, each priced between $12.5 and $18 million.
– The homes range in size from about 6,700 to nearly 10,000 square feet, with five bedrooms each.
– The design of the homes emphasizes privacy while also creating a sense of cohesion and interaction among the structures.
– The development features a 6-foot-tall travertine wall with a gate at the entrance, and the homes are arranged in a U shape around a tree-lined avenue.
– Each home includes amenities such as pools, gyms, three- or four-car garages, and wine storage.
– The homes were designed by architect David Curiel, founder of Curiel Arquitectos, and each has its own unique design and materials.
– The development is located within the Eanes Independent School District and is a short drive from the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve.
Forbes:
A new enclave of modern estates called Five aims to raise the bar for modern living in Austin, … [+]
A gated complex of five architecturally noteworthy homes is rising on a five-and-a-half acre site just west of Austin, Texas. Located in upscale West Lake Hills, the five-bedroom homes are priced from $12.5 to $18 million with living spaces from about 6,700 to nearly 10,000 square feet.
Described as a “private collective,” the five glass-rich contemporary residences, each set on an approximate one-acre lot, are arranged so that the homes feel “like they belong together,” say project designers. Each home’s orientation, sightlines, landscaping and partitions are positioned so that the structures look as if they interact—or even riff off each other—without sacrificing privacy.
The five-bedroom homes are priced from $12.5 to $18 million with square footage ranging from about … [+]
The complex presents a rare and thoughtful synergy for what could be just another homogeneous gated community.
“There’s really nothing like this in Austin,” says Francisco Uzcategui, founder of Houston-based Unicus, a residential design-build firm spearheading the project. “It’s rare to be able to design a group of homes in five subdivided lots.”
Five, as Uzcategui modestly calls the project, broke ground in late 2021. The first home will be complete in November and the second in December. Another will be finished in April 2024 and the final two finished by early 2025. Eric Moreland of Moreland Properties holds the listing.
The homes were designed by architect David Curiel, founder of Curiel Arquitectos.
A 6-foot-tall travertine wall bisected by a gate borders the front of the development. Just beyond, the homes are positioned in a U around a broad tree-lined avenue. Entries, courtyards, gardens and views from rooms are oriented, some in juxtaposition to each other, to provide balance and symmetry. From overhead, the development resembles five giant puzzle pieces that form a cohesive whole.
“We’re not building these houses to just maximize the beauty and value of each individual home, but to augment the collective five as a whole,” Uzcategui says. All of the dwellings have pools, gyms and either three- or four-car garages. Two of the homes have walk-in wine rooms, and the others include wine storage.
The homes were designed by architect David Curiel, founder of Curiel Arquitectos, launched in 2011. The firm, with offices in Mexico City and Texas, is staffed with 40-plus architects, engineers and interior and furniture designers, among others.
Curiel points to houses No. 1 and 2, which face each other to the left of the gate. “We’ve placed a garden and patios in between, so we’re creating green spaces to control the views,” he says. “We use stone walls, and greenery covering stucco walls throughout the project, which help blend the lines between the houses.”
Each of the unique designs offers an interplay of materials, textures and colors. House No. 4, … [+]
House No. 2 presents a modernist assemblage of shapes clad in limestone from Mexico. The creamy white to slightly gray facade is accented by overhangs, their undersides faced with stucco applied with a brown adobe finish, a process that integrates the color into the material. The robust brown can read as nearly black in low light. Reddish tones emerge in brighter light.
That interplay of materials and colors, intersected by clerestories and walls of windows, yields a look that is studied but calming. The structure is banked by a terraced landscape leading to the entry.
The stark black wet bar provides visual contrast next to the cream-hued living room.
“Some of the home’s inspiration came from viewing Los Angeles’ older houses,” says Curiel of the 9,010-square-foot residence. “So the home has more of a midcentury kind of vibe.”
Curiel says many homeowners are never able to truly appreciate their homes from the inside because of the outward-facing architecture. Instead, Curiel turns his houses in upon themselves.
“We accomplish this through layering and the layout, the orientation of the rooms,” he says. “So if you’re standing in the dining room, you see your covered patio, the landscape, your pool, your side of the house. You get to appreciate the stone that you picked, the color.”
Skillful placement of glass walls, often used in hallways, also allows owners to view their property’s expanse. “You get the light coming through both sides, and you feel the hugeness of the lot.” Curiel says. “I think many designers envision the walls first and then put windows into them. My strategy is to create glass walls from the start.”
At 8,275 square feet, House No. 3 has facing wings that embrace an expansive courtyard. The space is anchored by an oak tree that’s about 130 years old, its canopy reaching 40 feet. A pool is just beyond.
Each home’s orientation, sightlines, landscaping and partitions were designed to interact with the … [+]
The U-shaped courtyard “allows you to enjoy your own house from different points within the house,” Uzcategui says. The courtyard was designed around the existing heritage tree, which was moved 10 feet for better placement.
“Moving the tree took us about six months and cost $189,000,” Uzcategui says. “We’ve also planted more than 35 mature oaks brought from offsite to create these beautiful reference points throughout the property.” The oaks are 14 to 20 years old and are 25 to 30 feet tall, helping to increase privacy.
Marble imported from Mexico covers the facade of No. 3 with both honed and acid-wash finishes. The two textures add additional appeal and interest to the home, which will be complete in December. “And we invite that same material inside on some of the walls, so it feels like the outdoors is flowing into the interior,” Uzcategui adds. “That provides a lot of warmth.”
A warm cream and tan palette gives House No. 4 a relaxed and calming feel.
No. 3 has a stately look with its extensive use of marble, but its interiors feel relaxed and even homey, partly accomplished with a warm cream and tan palette. Floors and kitchen cabinetry are Bardolino gray oak, a saw-cut wood with a vintage look.
House No. 4, slated for completion in November, is clad with limestone sourced from the Austin area. “When we started digging, we discovered the soil was a very heavy, strong limestone,” Uzcategui says. “So we’ve used that as inspiration for the home’s facade.”
An extensive overhang that stretches across the front of the 7,961-square-foot house helps to deflect the Texas heat. That structure also accentuates an eye-catching 24-by-10-foot brass entry door topped by a smaller overhang.
Along one side of the home is a dramatic two-story structure clad in stucco with a deep brown adobe finish. The ultra-modern wing is lined with expansive windows and looks incongruous in contrast to the rest of the house. Uzcategui describes the volume as “museographic,” an architectural intervention that happily intrudes, veering off the main building’s stone facade.
Five is six miles west of downtown Austin and is a 12-minute drive from Barton Creek Habitat … [+]
House No.1, which has been sold and will be complete in April 2024, is the smallest of the five at 6,682 square feet. House No. 5, an L-shaped structure clad in dark Italian brick, is the largest at 9,870 square feet. “It was the most fun to design, partly because it has the most glass walls,” Curiel says. The home includes a cabana and a green “eco” roof, which has sweeping views of the Texas Hill Country.
Five is six miles west of downtown Austin and is a 12-minute drive from the 4,000-acre Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, which has numerous hiking trails. The complex is within the Eanes Independent School District, which was recently ranked the 10th best school district in the nation.
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Property Chomp’s Take:
A new enclave of modern estates called Five is set to redefine luxury living in Austin, Texas. Situated in the upscale West Lake Hills neighborhood, this gated complex features five architecturally noteworthy homes that are designed to elevate modern living to new heights. With prices ranging from $12.5 to $18 million, these five-bedroom homes offer spacious living spaces ranging from about 6,700 to nearly 10,000 square feet.
Described as a “private collective,” the five glass-rich contemporary residences are arranged on approximately one-acre lots in a way that makes them feel like they belong together. The project designers have carefully considered the orientation, sightlines, landscaping, and partitions of each home to create a sense of cohesion and interaction between the structures while still maintaining privacy.
What sets Five apart from other gated communities is its thoughtful synergy and unique design. According to Francisco Uzcategui, founder of Houston-based design-build firm Unicus, “There’s really nothing like this in Austin.” The opportunity to design a group of homes in five subdivided lots is rare and allows for a truly cohesive and harmonious development.
The homes at Five were designed by architect David Curiel, founder of Curiel Arquitectos. Each home offers a unique interplay of materials, textures, and colors, creating a modern and sophisticated aesthetic. For example, House No. 2 features a modernist design clad in limestone from Mexico, with overhangs and stucco walls that integrate the color into the material. House No. 3 showcases an extensive use of marble, both on the facade and inside the home, creating a seamless flow between the outdoors and interior spaces.
In addition to their stunning design, each home at Five offers luxurious amenities such as pools, gyms, and three- or four-car garages. Two of the homes also feature walk-in wine rooms, while the others include wine storage. These homes are designed to provide the utmost comfort and convenience for residents.
Beyond the individual homes, Five also boasts impressive communal features. A 6-foot-tall travertine wall bisected by a gate borders the front of the development, creating a sense of exclusivity and privacy. The homes are positioned in a U shape around a tree-lined avenue, with entries, courtyards, gardens, and views carefully oriented to create balance and symmetry. The development resembles five puzzle pieces that fit together seamlessly.
Five is not just a collection of houses; it is a thoughtfully designed community that offers a unique and elevated living experience. With its prime location in West Lake Hills, proximity to downtown Austin, and access to the Barton Creek Habitat Preserve, residents of Five will enjoy the best of both urban and natural landscapes. Additionally, the development is within the highly regarded Eanes Independent School District, making it an ideal choice for families.
Overall, Five raises the bar for modern living in Austin. Its innovative design, luxurious amenities, and prime location make it a standout in the city’s real estate market. As this enclave of modern estates takes shape, it is sure to become a sought-after destination for discerning homeowners who value contemporary design and exceptional living experiences.
