Historic Austin building housed famous bootmaker—now an elegant home listed at $4.95 million
A home in the former world-famous Capitol Saddlery building in Austin is for sale for $4.95 million, which includes the neon-lit boot above its entrance.
The building at 1614 Lavaca Street, near the University of Texas, was originally built in 1890 as a fire house and is believed to have been a speakeasy and brothel at one time.
The facade is unassuming except for the gigantic boot marking where a bootmaker named Charlie Dunn once crafted expensive pairs for celebrities like Gene Autry, Slim Pickens, Arnold Palmer, Carol King and Al Capone.
“Charlie’s boots were so well known that many celebrities wouldn’t dream of wearing boots made by anyone else,” according to TopTenRealEstateDeals.com, which wrote about the listing and received permission to share video of the property. “Known as the ‘Michelangelo of cowboy boots,’ Charlie charged as much as $3,000 a pair and had a three-year waiting list. “
Capitol Saddlery was owned by T.C. “Buck” Steiner, a rodeo rider who employed up to 100 workers, including Dunn. Singer Jerry Jeff Walker even wrote a song called “Charlie Dunn” in 1972. Dunn died in 1993.
“It seems everyone in Austin history has walked through those doors and has a story to tell about Buck,” Palazzo Lavaca owner Giselle Koy told Austin Woman magazine. “Apparently, he was quite a character and not afraid to express his opinions to anyone, from the governor of Texas to an alleged boot client, Al Capone.”
In 2007, the Steiner family moved the business to a new location, and a year later the building was completely transformed by new owners into Palazzo Lavaca. The renovated building is not only stunning and elegant but presents a nod to its rich history.
“This home unites rustic charm with Old World splendor,” according to the listing site. “Immaculately curated with 18th century antiques, Italian chandeliers, and Fortuny Paper wallpaper and velvets, the beautiful interiors beg to be savored.”
The listing continues: “A spectacular gold leafed ballroom transports its occupants into an otherworldly fantasy, while the beautiful open-air courtyard showcases the remaining artifacts of the saddlery’s operations.”
The building is being sold for use as an events venue, or as a luxury three-bedroom home with open living space that spans 6,780 square feet. There are huge multi-use rooms and three full and four half bathrooms.
The property is listed by Kumara Wilcoxon of Kuper Sotheby’s International Realty in Austin.
The kitchen, which is large enough for catering, the elegant ensuite bedrooms and large media/game room all open onto a rear courtyard that still retains artifacts from the boot business.
Austin is one of the fastest growing towns and technology hot spots in the United States, yet the city retains an Old West vibe. Austin is known for its lively music scene, too.
