Tour the Trophy Estate of Texas Hill Country
Caught between sky and water, Commander’s Point in Texas stands on one of the highest hills in the area, and casts its reflection in the still serenity of Lake Travis below
Sitting on a hill above the soothing shores of Lake Travis, in 30 acres of meadow, landscaped gardens, ponds filled with koi carp, and woods thick with oak trees, is Commander’s Point—the trophy estate of Hill Country, in Austin, Texas.
This trophy estate commands more than 30 private acres with extraordinary views of Lake Travis.
This trophy estate commands more than 30 private acres with extraordinary views of Lake Travis.
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The magnificent, six-bedroom, six-bath property, built in 1996, is a European-style manor, with English influences, overlooking 60 miles of lake. Its design was a key attraction for owners Philip and Donna Berber. “I’m Irish and my wife is from London, and this house was originally built for an English family by a Welsh architect, so it felt instantly familiar—we just fell in love,” says Philip. “We still love it, but now that our children have grown up, it’s time to pass it on. That’s the other main point about the property—even though it’s grand, it’s a family house first.”
It’s no exaggeration to say that the Berbers’ idyllic weekend home, now on the market with Moreland Properties, the exclusive Affiliate of Christie’s International Real Estate in the region, is the most coveted estate in Austin—nothing else like it lies so close to downtown. “With all this land, you’d never think we’re only a 25-minute drive from the city center,” says Berber. “It’s a sanctuary. As soon as we arrive we feel as if we’re entering our own bubble: it’s just us surrounded by spectacularly beautiful nature.”
It’s a case of no detail overlooked. Everything is the absolute best that could be found.
The estate provides a wealth of outdoor amenities, including an equestrian center with a huge barn, trails, paddocks, and lit riding arena. And of course, sailing: the property has its own boat dock with tram access, two slips, and a deck for entertaining.
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On the other two floors, every impeccable detail has been designed for gracious living, relaxation, and entertaining—from the statement staircase to luxurious materials and professional-grade kitchen. “It’s a case of no detail overlooked,” says Berber.
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“The original owner had lavish but exquisite taste. Everything is the absolute best that could be found. It had everything we wanted, even down to a helipad and two-bedroom guesthouse. But mostly, we wanted to buy it for the amazing views.”
Travertine flooring complements the limestone exterior of the house, while rich mahogany cabinetry, and a gorgeous spiral staircase leading to a catwalk that goes around the custom-built library, add drama and interest to the spacious rooms.
Ah yes, those remarkable panoramas of the lake, surrounding hills, and countryside. “Our vantage point gives us 270-degree views over Travis. We’ll certainly miss living here, but as I said, it’s time to hand it over for someone new to enjoy.”
[ Excerpt from Christie’s International Real Estate’s 2018 Luxury Edition — A curated collection of the world’s finest properties. Explore more properties here ]
Photography by Laura Moss
