Country United States Time zone Central (CST) (UTC-6) | State Texas | |
Bestie Row, as dubbed by a blog, and Llano Exit Strategy, as named by the owners, 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.
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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.
Conception
The idea was conceived by four couples who have been friends for more than 20 years. They wanted a getaway that was near their home base of Austin. They preferred a place near water, and for it to be affordable.
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.
Development
They discovered the land on the Llano River in 2010 and purchased it 2011. The site is a 90-minute drive from where they live in Austin.
They hired architect Matt Garcia to design the dwellings. 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.
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".
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. The houses have a minimalist style, consisting of a livingroom, bedroom with a double bed, and bathroom. 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. They use this water for the grass they planted.
The design, according to Fred Zipp, is "rugged country with a modern touch".
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.
One of the main reasons they gather there is to watch sports on television.
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.
Present and future
The owners' children, who visit from time to time, range from 18 to 26 years old.
The Zipps drive out and spend time in their home around three times a month.
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.
One of the couples decided not to join the group. A new member, a single gay man, will buy the vacant house and become part of the community.