In 1963, Lakeway was an audacious experiment in the Texas Hill Country.

While the rugged terrain spoke of romantic Tuscany, the locale was remote, home to a handful of retirees and second homes. But that was then and this is now. The community has evolved into one of the region’s most talked about residential and business hot spots.
Lakeway is no longer “only” an aging community. It is now undergoing a complete reversal with more and more young families moving to the area to take advantage of unmatched schools, championship caliber athletics, new residential opportunities, urban retail centers and soon-to-be-completed top notch health facilities.
Yet the common denominator linking the past with the present is the astonishing beauty that is Lake Travis. Rough Hollow, one of the most significant developments in all Central Texas, captures the very essence of fine living.
Envisioned by Legend Communities’ Haythem Dawlett while boating with friends, Rough Hollow plays host to breathtaking views, amazing amenities and a sense of home that embraces its past, present and future.
Dawlett’s vision for the property that hugs the hidden cove centered on a superior master plan.
“The project was already somewhat planned and approved but it was not a master plan community in the beginning,” he recalled. “It was planned on paper and in writing only. Then it was the topography that was challenging and scared off other developers.”
But Dawlett, a Lakeway resident, is a man who pays attention to detail. Where others saw obstacles, he saw possibilities. What emerged was a stunning architectural statement.
“Rough Hollow Phase I has a Tuscan feel,” Dawlett observed. “Phase II possesses a more rustic feel. More importantly, the quality of the architecture we get is undeniably the best. We are very involved with the builders on the design of their homes.”
Likewise, he believes buyers should also be very selective when choosing a builder.
“The quality of the builder is first and foremost,” Dawlett said. “Second, home buyers should carefully select a design that best meets their lifestyle.”
That is particularly paramount in a tough economy.
“Master Plan communities tend to always have better appreciation and better values because of the control developer’s instill in supply and quality,” Dawlett said. “More people are gravitating to master plan communities because they come home to a neighborhood and lifestyle of recreation, social activities, schools, etc.”
And only the best builders construct homes at Rough Hollow. Many – like Zbranek Custom Homes – are builders who share the commitment to community that helps drive Dawlett – whose generous philanthropy has measured in the millions of dollars – extending to the Lake Travis Independent School District, the Lake Travis Community Library and Green Santa [provides underprivileged children with Christmas presents], among others. Builders like Zbranek Custom Homes, named the “National Master Builder of the Year” at the 2010 International Builders’ Show in Las Vegas. In fact, Zbranek, his partner Tony Holt, with assistance from Dawlett, have teamed up to assist the Lake Travis Youth Association, donating $150,000 to assist the organization after it was defrauded of approximately $200,000 in 2008 by a financial company hired to collect online credit card payments.
Zbranek is constructing a “benefit home,” by securing donations and discounts by vendors and contractors that participate in this charitable building program. Zbranek donated $120,000 to Lake Travis Education Foundation at its annual Crystal Ball gala in 2005 to help fund class projects, teacher enrichment and other necessary scholastic programs.
The custom home, located in the Bluffs at Rough Hollow, is nearing completion and has already been sold to a Lake Travis area family. It will be prominently featured at the 2010 Parade of Homes, Oct. 16-31, the prestigious home showcase which will be hosted for the second time in four years by Rough Hollow.
Dawlett believes the quality of the builder first. Second a design that meets your lifestyle.
Lakeway has established a spirit of teamwork within the community that has made a serious impression on Dawlett.
“This community offers my family and I the ability to give back,” he said. “And in that philanthropy we get to see the difference that is made. Honestly, I wish I could give more. It is an investment in the community I am developing. Enhancing the local area enhances our developments and the future residents. The best is yet to come.”
The community responded, naming Dawlett the 2009 Citizen of the Year.
“[It was] Humbling,” Dawlett reflected. “I never expected it and appreciate the recognition.”
He believes the magic of Rough Hollow comes down to three iconic words in the real estate lexicon.
“Location, location, location,” Dawlett mused. “All of the elements meld seamlessly – Lake Travis, the hill country, topography, amenities, lifestyle and the City of Lakeway.”
The Lake Travis Independent School District plays a critical role that makes Rough Hollow and Lakeway so appealing.
“I love the Lake Travis ISD,” Dawlett said. “They have created an incredible system. They care and they plan ahead. The board understands the quality of better education. The system is run by incredible and caring individuals who take it personally, that’s what makes Lakeway so great.”
Amenities? Of course. Rough Hollow has painstakingly planned an array of thoughtful conveniences.
“Rough Hollow offers a state of the art yacht club and marina with a full service ship store, boat club, fitness center and The Grille at Rough Hollow,” he observed, adding that more are on the horizon. “We are going to build an amenity center with an assortment of recreation to include a lazy river, water park, dining, day care facility, amphitheater, tennis courts, fitness center, scheduled aerobic activity and over 18 miles of hike and bike trails.”
For those commuting to work or school, Dawlett’s firm built a new road – Highland Blvd. Recently opened, the new road connects Lakeway to Texas 71.
“The new road saves time, energy and provides a secondary access point to the Texas Hill Country and better access to schools,” Dawlett said.
While Lake Travis is changing – adapting – Dawlett believes the area will experience “limited but quality growth.”
And that’s part of what makes Rough Hollow a good investment.
“The area will increase in value and be a very desirable place to call home,” he said.
In keeping with the overall theme of Lakeway, a community where generations meet, Legend Communities is building Tuscan Village, an Italian-inspired age-qualified neighborhood currently under construction.
“The residents of Tuscan Village are part of the family of communities I have strived to create,” Dawlett said. “It will be a place where you know your neighbors and can enjoy a quality built community that is very unique with peer groups and social activities. This is the place I want my mom to live. I want those residents to be able to enjoy the waterfront amenities at Rough Hollow as well as the amenities at Tuscan Village. It creates a quality of life for the active mature adult.”
Tuscan Village should be built out in three and half to four and half years.
To learn more about Rough Hollow, visit www.roughhollowlakeway.com, or call 512-617-1776. For information about Tuscan Village, visit www.tuscanvillage.com or call 512-327-1200. To contact Legend Communities, visit www.legendcommunitiesinc.com or call 512-306-1444. Zbranek Custom Homes can be found at www.zcustomhomes.com or by calling 512-261-0444.