Midcentury gem by noted Austin architect asks $1.475M

While there aren’t enough extant homes designed by notable architect Barton (B.D.) Riley to suit local midcentury fans, there are a couple of beauties on the market right now. Riley, who helped define Austin modernism and was a contemporary of local modernist A.D. Stenger, had a private practice in Austin in the 1950s and ’60s, and later taught at the University of Texas. The striking, split-level house he designed for his own home was recently listed, and this one-story classic in Northwest Austin just joined it on the market.

Built in 1957, the white-brick home has been completely renovated but retains the sense of fun and drama Riley imbued in most of his designs. The 3,073-square-foot house has four bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms. It features the original vaulted ceilings and expanses of glass and has wood floors and vintage lighting throughout as well as Silestone counters in the kitchen and bathrooms.

The big living area seems made for entertainment, which no doubt will take an extra-retro turn on the fab patio under towering oaks. Dana Dean at Compass holds the listing for the house, which is at 5405 Western Hills Drive in Highland Park West.