818 Mariner

The full
introduction.

Astronaut Alan Shepard's historic landmark home in Lakeway. One of the original Mercury 7 astronauts and the first American launched into space in 1961, Shepard later commanded the Apollo 14 moon mission in 1971, becoming the only Mercury astronaut to reach the moon. He hand-picked this lot on a rocky promontory 140 feet above Lake Travis on the main basin, across from Point Venture.

In 1967, Commander Shepard built this 3,339-square-foot home, which includes an 85-foot back deck with sweeping views of the sky, the Hill Country and the lake. The bedrooms offer ensuite baths on the main level, with a game room, a large storage closet and another full bath with a sauna on the lower terrace.

Renovations over the years include kitchen and bathroom upgrades in 2010 and a pool added shortly after, since replastered. The most recent owners added hardwood floors throughout and all new windows, replaced all eight sliding patio doors, and replaced and rerouted the A/C ductwork along with a complete insulation package. The lake is the focal point of the living room, where a large wood-burning stone fireplace adds warmth. The two-car garage includes a closed-off workroom with built-in storage.

Shopping, restaurants and golf courses are close by, and the community has no HOA fees. 818 Mariner offers a piece of American history alongside starry skies and Lake Travis.