In today’s TMZ-fashioned never ending news cycle world, it’s impossible to blame celebrities for wanting to keep their distance from prying eyes.

So Silverton Custom Homes’ recent announcement that the firm is handling the bulk of the sales on a new subdivision adjacent to Briarcliff along Pace Bend Road is a bit, well, different. But different has always been one of the calling cards of the subdivision’s soon-to-be-former owner, Texas treasure Willie Nelson.
About 20 years ago, Nelson purchased 680 acres some 200 feet above the Pedernales River with nearly endless views in every direction. Having enjoyed his perch in paradise these many years, he’s decided to let some others in on his view. He’s selling about 60 acres in a number of phases on the hills surrounding his ranch home, letting some fortunate homeowners move within a proverbial stone’s throw from the place he calls home when he’s not, well, on the road again. The subdivision is called Tierra Vista.
“Mr. Nelson has enjoyed this land over the years and now a fortunate few will be able to enjoy it as well,” said Mike Grimm, one of Silverton’s owners. “There’s no reason why he can’t have his piece of heaven and allow others to have the same.”
The idea for subdivision – which will be gated — began nearly five years ago, and following last year’s market crash, the first phase has finally come online.
“When talks first started about this, there was no big rush to make it happen quickly,” said Brian Dees, a partner in the project and the general manager at Lakecliff Country Club. “We wanted to take our time and make sure it was done right.”
Done right means making sure that the houses that are built fit with both Nelson’s vision for the community and the natural beauty of the land. He was involved in crafting the deed restrictions and protective covenants that will craft construction.
“The whole idea behind Mr. Nelson’s decision is to share this with others without making it rooftop after rooftop,” Dees said. “These are open lots with great views everywhere. These are the same views that he’s had without taking away from what he has. Everything will stay very native. The intention is to leave the habitat in its natural, country state.”
Each lot backs up to greenbelt, and the natural slope of the land and the division of the properties all but insures that no homeowner will see his view impeded by another. Each pad will sit far enough below the next that every home, no matter where it points, will have unobstructed views of Hill Country, river, lake or even back into Lakeway and toward Mansfield Dam.
“This is a country subdivision,” said Grimm. “It’s close to everything but you still have the tranquility of being in the country.”
There are 41 lots for sale in the first phase, a few of which have already sold. Lots are larger, ranging from 1 to 2.6 acres each, and priced beginning around $150,000.
The first few lots are located across a street from the property that will remain Nelson’s. The iconic full-sized tee-pee that is the Nelsons’ relaxation chamber towers over the trees nearest the road, and other new sites will have views of the expansive horse rescue facility, where more than 100 horses have been relocated after being rescued. Hidden from view is the popular village of Luck, a life-size model of an old-time Texas town.
The subdivision takes its name from the former Montessori School the Nelsons founded years ago and hosted on the property. The school buildings are still standing, but the school closed years ago.
Sales in the subdivision have started out slowly, but that isn’t entirely a function of a slowly recovering real estate market. Silverton, as Dees said, didn’t feel the need to rush the project to the market, choosing instead a more laid back approach, much like the persona of the landowner. But now that they are at market, Grimm hopes things will pick up quickly.
“Austin’s real estate market bottomed out in January 2009,” he said. “But I believe that Austin will be leading the housing recovery in the nation, and the experts I’ve spoken with think this will happen this year. We hope that by 2012, it will be ‘Katie bar the door.’”
Grimm also hopes that the draw of the land, plus the ever-growing access to west Austin and even downtown, will add to the appeal of the property for prospective buyers.
“This western corridor is really opening up,” he said.
“With the opening of Highlands Drive in Lakeway,” Dees said, “the west has become a lot closer than it ever used to be.”
In the past, Lakeway residents wanting to head west along Texas 71 had to drive out Lakeway Boulevard to Ranch Road 620 and jog south to 71 before heading west. Now, though, then can take Highlands through the back end of Lakeway, through Rough Hollow and connect with Bee Creek Road, cutting substantial time off their drive.
And for the prospective landowners who want to live like country Willie, it may just be worth it.
For more information visit tierravistatexas.com.