OPEN SUNDAY, 2-4 PM. The Parlin House is a City of Austin Historic Landmark property located in the Aldridge Place Historic District. This stately Mediterranean-style home with touches of Italian Renaissance was built in 1922 by Hanson Tufts Parlin, longtime dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at U.T. and creator of the Plan II degree program. Parlin hired prominent Austin architect, Hugo Kuehne (founder of the UT School of Architecture), to design this house in the new Aldridge Place subdivision which was advertised as a neighborhood where "suburban life and city luxuries are delightfully combined".
The home has been lovingly preserved and retains many of its original architectural elements such as stained wood coffered and hand-painted ceilings, arched windows and doorways, French doors, built-in bookcases, and two fireplaces. The floor plan has been expanded through the years and features spacious rooms and flexible living spaces with one bedroom and bath downstairs plus three bedrooms and two baths upstairs. The large family room on the main level looks out onto the tranquil backyard with a swimming pool and spa, towering trees, rock walls and gardens. The upstairs primary suite features a fireplace and sitting area, a private bath, plus a sun deck with a gorgeous view of the yard. Dean Parlin's personal floor-to-ceiling bookcase has been relocated from upstairs to the charming downstairs library/office. The kitchen has a modern feel with a large kitchen island, butcher block countertops, breakfast area, and a side door that leads out to a private courtyard and patio. Despite the prominence of the automobile in 1922, Parlin saw no need to build a garage, and none has ever been added. There is, however, an off-street parking area in front of the home that easily accommodates two vehicles.
The City of Austin Historic Landmark status provides significant annual property tax savings for the homeowner.