Bestie Row

Bestie Row, as dubbed by a blog, and Llano Exit Strategy, as named by the owners,^[1] is a housing community consisting of four houses in a row and a fifth 'commons' structure in an isolated area on a rocky ridge near the Llano River, around a 90-minute drive from Austin, Texas, United States.^[2][3][4]

Name

The group named the site "Llano Exit Strategy", however, the media refer to it as "Bestie Row" because of a viral real estate blog post.^[5]

Conception

The idea was conceived by four couples who have been friends for more than 20 years.^[4][5] They wanted a getaway that was near their home base of Austin. They preferred a place near water, and for it to be affordable.^[5]

Contrary to many reports, the development is for vacationing and is not continuously occupied by any of the couples, all of whom own primary homes in the Austin area.^[6]

Development

They discovered the land on the Llano River in 2010 and purchased it 2011.^[5] The site is a 90-minute drive from where they live in Austin.^[5]

They hired architect Matt Garcia to design the dwellings.^[5] Their first plan was to build a single, large house. They then decided on individual, 350 square-foot cabins and a fifth, larger building to ensure they would not get "sick of each other", and to give them time to themselves.^[5]

When the first bought the land, it was a "dust bowl" Jodi Zipp said, but after planting native seeds they found in a Junction, Texas store, it is now "just a lovely expanse of green on the river".^[5]

Dwellings

Individual homes

The individual homes are energy efficient because they have spray-foam insulation with galvanized metal siding on top which reduces solar heating in the summer and helps to retain heat in the winter. Each home cost approximately $40,000.^[4] The houses have a minimalist style, consisting of a livingroom, bedroom with a double bed, and bathroom.^[3] The floors are concrete. The interior walls are grained plywood. The exterior is metal. The roof has a slight slant allowing rainwater to be collected in a catchement tank.^[3] They use this water for the grass they planted.^[5]

The design, according to Fred Zipp, is "rugged country with a modern touch".^[5]

Common area

The fifth structure, a common area, is 1,500 square feet with an open floor plan. It has a large kitchen, dining area, as well as a living area with an extra bedroom containing bunk beds for guests. It was built for the 8 people to come together in one space.^[1][5][7]

One of the main reasons they gather there is to watch sports on television.^[5]

Owners

One of the couples is Fred Zipp and his wife Jodi. From 2001 to 2010, Fred was Editor-in-Chief of the Austin American-Statesman. All the couples are from white-collar, professional backgrounds.^[3]

Present and future

The owners' children, who visit from time to time, range from 18 to 26 years old.^[5]

The Zipps drive out and spend time in their home around three times a month.^[5]

Per agreement, the group has scheduled occupancy so that each couple can have the site to themselves a couple of times a year. Also, because the couples' schedules vary, there is often a free cabin at any given time.^[5]

One of the couples decided not to join the group. A new member, a charming and available single gay man, will buy the vacant house and become part of the community.^[5]

References

External links

• Video story from Today.com