Posted: Sat, 20 Nov 2010 07:51 AM - 9,699 Readers

By: Nicole Villalpando

Nestled in a hidden enclave of upscale, garden-style homes on Rockmoor Avenue near Lake Austin Boulevard, this modern three-story home is Miami meets Santa Fe in design.

Built in 1992, the home has been enjoyed by Luci Baines Johnson, who lived there from 1999-2001. The current owners, J. Cecil and Joan Rhodes, have moved to Midland to retire. They've put 1710 Rockmoor Ave. No. 1 on the market for $1.25 million. Diane Dopson of Diane Dopson Properties has the listing.

The stucco, angular home's entrance is tucked to the side of the house with steps leading to it from the road. Once inside, Saltillo tile and cantera stone flow throughout the home to complement the clean lines of the design. Guests enter the 4,455-square-foot home through heavy aluminum and glass doors on the main level, which is the second story.

In the entry, a three-story circular staircase with a glass elevator in the middle greets guests. Upstairs are two bedrooms and the master bedroom. Downstairs is a family room, but with a mini-kitchen and a closet alcove, it could become a guest bedroom or an apartment for a caregiver. High windows give this lower level light.


On the main level, the media room and living room sit across from each other. The media room is cozy, with a fireplace and low windows.

The living room is grand, with two stories of windows in a stair-step pattern and high alcoves for art.

A formal dining room is beside the kitchen. The room offers a built-in buffet and wet bar with a mini-refrigerator.


The all-white kitchen with Corian counters provides a clean look and is a nice size for feeding a crowd.

A wraparound porch surrounds the back of the house from the media room to the pool area. Views around the house spy upon lush landscaping. The grounds feature a lap pool with a bench, a waterfall and a spa.

The homeowners association fees are $400 a month, which include water and maintenance of the yard and common areas.

Upstairs, two bedrooms feature two closets apiece, and each is across the hall from its own full bathroom.

The master suite can be accessed from one of the bathrooms, which leads to the master's impressive closet, or through the walkway overlooking the first-floor living room. This walkway offers a built-in desk and study area.

The master bedroom offers two balconies overlooking the pool area. Glass tiles surround the fireplace. The room offers many built-ins including a desk.

The master bathroom features marble counters and floors on the double vanities, a jetted tub and a walk-in shower with a bench and multiple sprayers.

The master closet offers built-ins such as shoe racks and an island for extra storage.

Dopson says the future buyer will probably be a couple or empty nesters. "It will be someone who wants to be in this neighborhood," she says. "The lake is a half a block a way," she says. Several restaurants are a few blocks away.

She will hold an open house today from 2-4 p.m

*  Story Contributed by: Nicole Villalpando