Here’s what $1.5M buys around Austin

Welcome to Curbed Comparisons, a column that explores what one can rent or buy for a set dollar amount in various Austin neighborhoods. Is one person’s studio another person’s Shangri-la? Let’s find out! Today’s price: $1.5 million.

Buyers looking for the quintessential Downtown condo will likely appreciate a two-bedroom, 1,918-square-foot unit in the Austonian—this one with some postmodern decorative leanings. The Northwest-facing unit has Capitol, lake, and downtown views, a spacious open floor plan with hardwood floors, and a spa-like master bathroom. The home comes with two covered parking spaces.

Odds are good you’ll find a three-story contemporary, such as this one in Tarrytown, when you’re looking in the $1.475M price range (and its actual asking price). At 4,043 square feet, it’s a lot of house for the lot size (5,967 square feet) and features five bedrooms and four bathrooms as well as a media room and a rooftop deck.

Prices of more than $1 million for East Austin homes are still somewhat rare—especially when they might be a bit of a fixer-upper, at least cosmetically, as this one seems to be. But East Cesar Chavez, and especially its namesake street, is a different story. Located a few blocks from downtown on an almost completely commercial street and flexibly zoned, vintage homes such as this 1920s Craftsman can be transformed into restaurants or other types of commercial buildings. Either way, original features such as its wraparound porch, custom brick fireplace, French doors, butler’s pantry, original hardwood flooring, and cedar closets give in character and unique appeal.

A mod and stylish aerie overlooking Pease Park, this freestanding condo weighs in with a $1.65 million asking price. Buyers looking for a distinctive, polished contemporary with the sophisticated style that local stars Alterstudio Architecture always brings to the table might find this home on the edge of West Campus well worth the price.

Yes, there are some classic IKEA colors involved (and easily changed if not desired), but this three-story contemporary in Bouldin Creek is bound to appeal to lovers of treehouse-style living. Asking $1.39 million, it has a decent amount of space (2,225 square feet) unfolding vertically and surrounded by generous windows, glass doors, and balconies. There’s a ground-floor pool and deck in back, too.