168.42 Acres in Johnson City, TX - $4,900,000

Featuring over 1,590 of both sides of North Grape Creek, typically one of the better perennial streams found in Blanco County. Cold clear water runs from beneath limestone ledges bordering a beautiful deep blue hole full of fish, which the owner says maintains its current depth even during dry hot summer months. Colorful cliffs soar around and above it, and the owners have constructed a zip line for the adventure minded thrill seekers.

The North Grape Creek Sub-Watershed

North Grape Creek rises one-mile east of TX-16 in central Gillespie County. Intermittent in its upper reaches, the stream follows an easterly course for 26 miles to its mouth on the Pedernales River, northwest of Johnson City in western Blanco County. Rising in the hills of the eastern Edwards Plateau and crossing into the Central Basin, North Grape Creek passes through an area of flat to rolling terrain surfaced by sandy to clayey loams that support grasses, scrub brush, and open stands of live oak, mesquite, and Ashe juniper.

Water Well

One water well, located near the house, was drilled in February 2009. The well was drilled to a depth of 485, hitting water at 102 with a yield of 35 GPM.

LAND & WILDLIFE

Rancho Mareeba exemplifies what a well-managed, diverse Texas Hill Country ranch should be. A 4.25-acre pasture sits on the west side of North Grape Creek with deep soils and is ideal for creating a wildlife food plot or for growing high-quality hay.

The creek bottom is dotted with American Sycamore, Live Oak and Pecan trees. Native grasses, mixed brush, and Live Oaks cover the higher elevations of the property. The owners have carefully groomed areas around the ranch creating a private, park-like feel. The upper-section of the ranch is dominated by two impressive hills that provide beautiful views of the valley and water below. The elevation ranges from a low of 1,200 along the creek up to 1,380 at the north end of the property.

Abundant wildlife includes: White-tailed deer, Rio Grande turkey, feral hogs, and grey fox. If birding is your hobby, Rancho Mareeba will brighten your day with its many species. The riparian corridor ecosystem of the ranch provides habitat to many species of birds including owls, hawks, ducks, and dove. A heavy mix of native songbirds can also be found due to the distinct habit types on the ranch.

Even with the vast landscapes of the Texas Hill Country, it is a challenge to find the ideal property that encompasses all of the criteria most often cited by buyers including convenient access, live flowing water, abundant wildlife, onsite sporting and recreation, private access, proximity to urban conveniences, topographic diversity and gorgeous scenery.

IMPROVEMENTS

Architectural Description

(written by Mark Canada-the architect)

DESIGN PARAMETERS

Situated on a sloping ridgeline facing west 60 above Grape Creek on the owner's 168-acre ranch, the primary design intent of this ranch compound was to take advantage of the Hill Country views. This design goal was complicated by the desire at the same time to shield its views and visibility of the ranch house of its only neighbor.

It was decided that the building program would be divided into 3 main elements: The Main Ranch House, the Bunk House and the Garage/Auto Loggia. The Bunk House would primarily be used during visits by the Owner's extended family. The 'U' shaped compound surrounds a landscaped courtyard that is further defined by a stone courtyard wall enclosing and protecting the 4,000 square foot deer-proof garden.

GREEN/SUSTAINABLE FEATURES

Rancho Mareeba employs Green/Sustainable features to reduce the carbon footprint and it is thought that the project will eventually become carbon neutral. The green/sustainable design and construction features include:

1) Passive Solar Energy Design Techniques

2) Comprehensive Thermal Insulation, Radiant Barrier and Low Air Infiltration Building Skin

3) Landscape and Irrigation planning for Wildlife Habitat status

DESIGN SOLUTION

The Main Ranch House comprises 3,663 square feet of air-conditioned space. It enjoys the dominant view of the 100-foot Grape Creek cliffs to the south, the creek and distant ranch pasture views to the west and the winding upstream Grape Creek view to the north. The 'styling' of the complex is Contemporary Texas Mediterranean. Characterized by a gently sloped roofline, Mexican terra cotta roof tiles, deep overhangs, ipe' exposed roof rafters and beams, locally harvested stone walls, stucco and steel railings. Rancho Mareeba nestles comfortably into its ridgeline.

The Bunk House comprises about 1,926 square feet and contains a lounge, 3 bunkrooms and 3 baths. The 3 elements of the complex, {The Ranch House, The Bunk House and the Garage,} are separated by 2 Loggias. The Bunk Loggia is designed for outdoor living and features a fireplace, sloped wood ceiling and an outdoor shower. It has views of both the Garden Courtyard and the creek views to the north. The Auto Loggia serves as a carport and owner's entrance, as well as a second outdoor living area, also adjacent to the garden courtyard.

The Creek Terrace is the primary and largest of the outdoor living areas besides the courtyard garden. It reaches in an arc towards Grape Creek and has a commanding 180-degree view of the ranch views below. There is a Summer Kitchen and outdoor dining area within the Creek Terrace.

TEXAS HILL COUNTRY VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

Texas is blessed with a rich cultural architectural heritage. German, Czech, Spanish and early Texas pioneer influences can be seen in contemporary residential architectural design today. With the design of Rancho Mareeba, we relied primarily upon Spanish vernacular building styles along with incorporating passive solar energy techniques to give us a distinctive aesthetic. Texas limestone was harvested from the creek bed, as well as recycled from the necessary excavation, and reused as a veneer for the walls, pavement for the walkways and retaining walls. Harvested large limestone shelf rock was used as a work counter for the potting station in the garden and the outdoor Summer Kitchen at the Creek Terrace.

THE GREAT ROOM

Rancho Mareeba features one open space that contains the Living Area, Dining Area and Kitchen. This open plan concept allows all three spaces, arguably the primary spaces of the house, to all benefit from the spectacular views of the cliffs, pasture and creek. A stone and stucco 2-sided fireplace helps to divide the spaces and give each its own identity. The two sidewalls are built from the site's stone. The 3 arched glass windows are 12'-6" tall and are shaded by deep overhangs and a trellis, which extends 12' towards the west onto the Creek Terrace. The sloped ceilings are capped with a clerestory 24' above the floor. Cut limestone floors finish the space and give it an allure of rustic elegance.

THE ARCHITECT'S ROLE

It was thought, while designing and building this project, that the architect's input could not improve this beautiful property, only work with it and make it more hospitable on which to live. While taking inspiration from his forbearers, and employing ancient knowledge of the sun and wind, the architect hopes to gently nestle an aesthetic structure along the beautiful ridgeline from which its inhabitants can enjoy nature's God given views. Building with care and craft so that the results survive a hundred years may be the most green/sustainable feature that we as architects can employ. It is hoped that the Owner's great, great, great grandchildren will be enjoying the same ranch views, breezy loggias and interior perspectives through arched stone openings in 100 years that are being built today. A responsible stewardship of this land, by Owner, Architect and General Contractor through the use of green/sustainable building techniques, should guarantee use of this structure with minimal negative impact upon our environment.

VERNACULAR ARCHITECTURE

Texas is blessed with a rich cultural architectural heritage. German, Czech, Spanish and early Texas pioneer influences can be seen in contemporary residential architectural design today. With the design of Rancho Mareeba, we relied primarily upon Spanish vernacular building styles along with incorporating passive solar energy techniques to give us a distinctive aesthetic.

-Mark Canada

This entire Offering is subject to errors, omissions, prior sale, change or withdrawal without notice and approval of purchase by the Seller. Information regarding land classifications and acreages are intended only as general guidelines and have been obtained from sources deemed reliable; however, accuracy is not warranted or guaranteed by the Seller or Anders Ranch Realty. Prospective Buyers should verify all information to their sole and complete satisfaction. SHOWN BY APPOINTMENT ONLY DO NOT TRESPASS. Buyers brokers/agents must be identified on first contact and must accompany buying prospect on first showing to be allocated full fee participation. If this condition is not met, fee participation will be at the sole discretion of Anders Ranch Realty.