After almost six years, filmmaker Robert Rodriguez has decided to sell his ranch-style home overlooking Lake Travis in Austin, Texas.
Known for films such as Sin City, Spy Kids, and From Dusk Till Dawn, the filmmaker is asking US$8.9 million for the waterfront property he bought in October 2018, according to the Robb Report.
Designed by renowned modernist architect O’Neil Ford, who also created the Trinity University campus and Little Chapel in-the-Woods, the house was built in 1962 and extensively remodelled in the late 1990s by designers Dick Clark and David Dalgleish.
Marketing materials describe it as a “seamless blend of historical charm and modern luxury,” and Rodriguez has dubbed it The Bond House, inspired by the sophisticated allure of 1960s Sean Connery James Bond films.
The property features four bedrooms and five bathrooms within nearly 480sq m of living space, boasting hardwood floors, exposed brick walls, and high wood-beam ceilings.
A striking solarium includes an indoor pool and spa, while outdoor amenities feature a funicular leading to a private two-level dock and 60m of waterfront, a waterfall courtyard, a built-in barbecue, a long walking path, and a three-stall carport next to a motor court.
Situated on a nearly 1.6ha wooded bluff, the brick house is secluded behind gates.
The entry arcade opens to a sky-lit foyer, leading to a great room with a chandelier-topped dining area and a living room centered around a wood-burning fireplace with built-in shelving.
Floor-to-ceiling glass walls provide scenic water views.
A cozy family room with a fireplace connects to a kitchen with stone countertops, an eat-in island bench, and top-quality stainless steel appliances.
Other highlights include a luxurious primary suite with a seating area overlooking the lake and a tiled bath with dual vanities, a soaking tub, and a steam shower.
Listed by Dara Allen and Monica Fabbio, of @properties Lone Star Christie’s International Real Estate, the house served as a writing oasis and retreat for the San Antonio-born director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer, editor, and composer, where he could relax after busy filming schedules while enjoying the pool and lake breezes.
“Driving just 24km from my studio to the Bond House, I’d start my weekend feeling like I was in another country,” Rodriguez said.
“I’d go right through the great room with its pitched ceilings to the shaded and enclosed pool area, feeling that amazing lake breeze and watching the sunset while sipping a shot glass of tequila.
“I would instantly feel like I was in another country and completing the most relaxed weekend, even though it was just beginning.”
