SPICEWOOD, TX $2,225,000
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Insights from the Curators of Highline Hill
Welcome to Highline Hill, a sanctuary where history and nature converge, offering a glimpse into the past, carefully preserved and lovingly restored. This remarkable property features two historic farmhouses sited above and below a natural rise, nestled into the hillside defined by a graceful limestone ridge. The name 'Highline Hill' was inspired by this natural and man-made landscape, bordered by a series of industrial high-tension electric pylons, constructed of rivets and galvanized steel, reflected in the roofing and bare steel materials that support and cap both houses.
As this sanctuary undergoes its final touches of restoration, you have the special opportunity to preview and purchase a piece of history before its transformation is complete. The intent in the thoughtful, careful restoration of these houses is to bring their history back to life, blending modern energy efficiency with the re-use and reclamation of antique materials—giving truth to the phrase ‘Green.’ This is a true haven for those who appreciate the extraordinary.
The Homann House
The Homann House, nestled between a hill above and one below with North and South-facing porches, was built in 1908 by German settlers on farmland in Lytton Springs, TX. The Homann family established Homann Farms, still active, due east of Kyle and Niederwald and bordered by Homann Road and Homannville Trail.
Known as the Grandpa House, the Homann homestead was built by Phillip and Lottie Homann, who raised five children here, the youngest of whom, Reinhart Homann, sold us the house in October 2016.
This house was built as a 1 ½-story Folk Victorian, spare in the usual Victorian detail with the exception of unique vegetal leaf trim hand-cut for the porch, windows, and doors. The ½ story is a term representative of a center-hall house with a single room directly above.
Reinhart was 84 years old when we met him to view the house, a kind man of few words with an iron-grip handshake. As he walked through the house with us, he explained that his father removed the stairs and closed in the upstairs room following damage from a ‘twister’ that took the roof off in the 1970s.
As the house hadn’t been occupied in decades, he’d just evicted a family of owls living in the hallway closet and told us he had warm memories of waking up to the sunrise through the upstairs room window where the kids slept.
We’ve sympathetically restored this house, retaining all the original (now extinct) Longleaf Pine materials and insulating with spray foam from the outside-in to keep shiplap and wainscoting intact. The windows are modern replicas of the original 2-over-2, which provide far better thermal quality, and new standing-seam galvanized roofing protects all this history.
Close-Up of Porch and Trim Details
Though simple in its Victorian details, the house features a unique hand-cut vegetal leaf trim on the porch, windows, and doors—a testament to the craftsmanship of the era.
Interior of Homann House – Restoration and Modern Updates
Our intent in the thoughtful, careful restoration of this house has been to bring its history back to life while incorporating modern energy efficiency. We've retained all the original, now-extinct Longleaf Pine materials, insulating from the outside-in to preserve the shiplap and wainscoting. The windows, modern replicas of the original 2-over-2, offer far better thermal quality, and new standing-seam galvanized roofing now protects the wealth of history within these walls.
The Stairway and Interior Features
The beautiful stairway was rebuilt using a combination of elements from two other Texas farmhouse staircases from the 1880s. One provided the rustic treads and risers, all function, while the other contributed a beautiful newel post, banister rail, and spindles, likely older than the Homann House itself.
To either side of the Center Hall were two rooms on the right and two rooms on the left. We removed the wall separating each to create two larger spaces: a Library/Lounge and a Kitchen, both designed to encourage larger gatherings and easy flow.
Library and Kitchen
The Library offers views of the natural stone ledge and hillside, with both North and South porches adding to its charm. We've utilized a pair of apothecary cabinets from a pharmacy in St. Louis as the base for a full wall of bookshelves. To access the upper shelves, we've added an antique rolling ladder from a Southwestern Bell relay station in San Antonio, blending function with vintage appeal.
Across the wide Center Hall, the Kitchen, with its soaring ceilings, provides ample space for baking and meal prep. The centerpiece is a massive 12-foot-long general store counter from Oxford, Mississippi, reflecting a hundred years of use, now retrofitted with modern deep drawers. Opposite, a French Sideboard, circa 1900, offers ample storage and a grand display for your favorite cookware and crockery collection.
The Homann House was designed to serve as the heart of the public spaces at Highline Hill.
Hallway Bridge
This is a modern structure designed and approved by a local commercial structural engineer to connect the Brazos House on lower ground to the Homann House on the hill across a 10-foot vertical grade change like a covered bridge. This hallway spans 26 feet, connecting the Homann House mudroom to the Brazos House living room, lined with floor-to-ceiling picture windows on one side and 2 ½ bathrooms on the other to accommodate larger gatherings.
The mudroom, just off the kitchen, provides direct entry from the South porch and offers storage for shoes, boots, jackets, and hats—an excellent staging area before or after a hike through the acreage. Here, you’ll find an antique cast iron mop-sink salvaged from Round Rock High School, offering a place to wash up, trim and arrange wildflowers, or wash smaller pets.
In the middle bathroom, a large picture window frames a treetop Texas Hill Country scene, beneath which rests an unusually large 'bear-foot' tub from the late 1800s. This tub was salvaged from the original Circle-C Ranch house south of Austin and preserved with its original porcelain finish. According to the original owner's family, Texas Senators and Congressmen passing through South Austin on their way to serve our state often drafted house bills, proposals, and legislation by candlelight in that tub. Who knows what actually became law?
Hanging above the tub is an antique 3-tier wedding-cake chandelier salvaged from a 1920s home in San Antonio, providing shimmering light to complement the decadence of the bath. Each of the larger bathrooms features 4-foot-wide schoolhouse sinks salvaged from the original Round Rock High School art department. Previously used to wash out paint brushes of creative students, these sinks have now been refinished to accommodate the toothbrushes of future owners and visitors.
The hallway-facing occupancy lights, originally from an old gas station, add a cheeky charm by signifying whether the bathroom is available for use or occupied.
The Brazos House
The Brazos House was built in the early 1890s, bordering the State Capitol of Texas. While we don’t have the original address for this house, we know it sat within the block of Brazos Street and 13th Street, which was annexed by the State of Texas in the 1950s to expand the Capitol grounds for the development of additional office space.
The house was sold at public auction by the State and purchased by Gilbert Ginsel of Elgin, TX, who moved it to his farm in Manor, TX, where he and his wife raised three children. We purchased the house from his son, Stan, in March of 2017 with the blessing of his siblings.
The Brazos House is designed to serve as a bunkhouse for Highline Hill, featuring four bedrooms and a family room. We are not the first to conduct renovations within the Brazos House, where the removal of lower door frames and sheetrock was required to uncover the original beadboard ceilings, cased transom door openings, and shiplap. With the same focus on creating energy efficiency while preserving the original interior materials, this house underwent the same historic renovation and energy efficiency program as the Homann House.
Lighting throughout both houses comes from various sources, but all are antique and have been rewired for energy efficiency using LED bulbs.
Art Deco Refrigerator & Piano
Among the treasures we preserved when relocating the Brazos House from Manor to Spicewood are a piano and an Art Deco refrigerator. While the piano will require some repair and tuning, it remains a piece of the home’s musical legacy. The antique refrigerator, though still working, offers a nostalgic charm, even if it’s not energy efficient. Both items may be negotiated as part of the sale of this property if desired.
Summary of Property Highlights
This private and secluded hilltop hideaway offers amazing vistas and breathtaking sunset views. The charming stone cottage, surrounded by native Texas plants and beautiful oak trees, is set on over 16 acres. As noted, this home features elements preserved and cherished from homes built between 1890 and 1908. The home spans approximately 3,244 square feet with 11-foot ceilings, offering 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, providing ample space and comfort.
The property is well-equipped with a private well, an 18,000-gallon cistern for rainwater collection, and a newly installed septic system. Adding to its appeal, the property is unrestricted, and the beekeeping efforts qualify for agricultural exemption in 2025. Whether you envision this as a beautiful private estate, a short-term rental, an event space, or an income-producing business, the possibilities are endless.
Located in the heart of the thriving Texas Hill Country, Highline Hill is perfectly positioned near renowned wineries, distilleries, and natural wonders like Krause Springs and Hamilton Pool, as well as the upcoming CanyonRanch wellness resort and the thoughtfully designed Loraloma/Thomas Ranch.
Highline Hill invites you to be part of its next chapter, where history is preserved and a new legacy awaits.
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