Sublime historic Clarksville home shows off Austin design, old and new

Built in 1898, the Brass-Goddard house in Clarksville is the kind of home that rarely appears on the Austin market. The two-story, Mansard-style house is a city historic landmark that has been renovated in appealing style by local luminaries Paul Clayton of Clayton & Little, an architectural firm known for its renovations of historic properties, and Fern Santini of Abode Interiors.

The three-story, limestone home on a double lot is located in the heart of Clarksville. In 5,533 square feet, it has three bedrooms and three and a half bathrooms, as well as many, many historic features that make it appealing—including a large, graceful front porch and a grand second-floor veranda, as well as classic features such as high ceilings, built-ins, original windows and doors, a grand central staircase, and a one-of-a-kind Parisian chandelier in the dining room.

This is not a home enslaved to its past, though: Updates include all kinds of kitchen and bathroom modernizations, as well as features such as a backyard pool and entertainment area.

Despite its grand and impressive exterior, the home has been remodeled for actual occupation and includes an open kitchen, a den, and a formal dining area that is more welcoming than intimidating.

A lovely aspect of the home is its intimate spaces that honor its history but don’t echo the exterior grandiosty.

Some of the rooms in the home are quite contemporary, and a view from the backyard confirms that, despite its storied history, the home is located and fully keeping up with contemporary Austin.

• 1108 West Ninth Street [Moreland Properties]