A modern, gated masterplan community by Risewell Homes in South Austin, minutes from South Menchaca's nightlife and top barbecue and under 20 minutes from downtown. It comes in two flavors, both selling now: full-size detached homes and lower-maintenance townhomes. Here is the honest local rundown, what it costs, and who each one fits. 175+ closings since 2016.
Novel is a modern, gated masterplan community in South Austin, built by Risewell Homes, minutes from South Menchaca and under 20 minutes from downtown. It offers two collections, both selling now: the Villas, detached single-family homes from around the low $500,000s, and the Duets, attached townhomes from around the low $400,000s. Both let you build your way, choosing your homesite, floor plan, and finishes. That range means Novel fits a buyer who wants a full-size home or one who wants lower-maintenance living at a more accessible price, in the same great location.
Come tour the model homes with me and see the finishes (the community has grown since I filmed, both collections are now selling):
| Collection | Type | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Villas | Detached single-family (now selling Phase 2) | Full-size homes, 3 to 4 bedrooms, 2-car garages, roughly 1,600 to 2,500 sq ft. From the low $500,000s. |
| Duets | Attached townhomes (now selling) | Low-maintenance living, about 1,583 to 1,698 sq ft, 3 bedrooms, 2 to 2.5 baths, 2 garages. From the low $400,000s. |
Prices reflect recent activity and move with the market. Both collections let you build your way and select finishes, so your final price depends on your homesite, plan, and selections. Confirm current pricing and availability for any specific home.
These are full-size, detached single-family homes with genuinely stylish finishes, above builder grade as standard, and Phase 2 homesites are now selling. The layouts lean into modern South Austin living: a spacious great room flowing into a gourmet kitchen with a large island, sliding glass doors out to a covered patio for indoor-outdoor living, and upstairs primary suites with dual-sink vanities and walk-in closets. A couple of the featured plans give you the feel:
Because you build your way, you can select your homesite and floor plan and add options like extended patios or upgraded sliders to make it your own.
The Duets are attached townhomes designed for modern, low-maintenance living, and they open Novel up to a more accessible price point, from the low $400,000s, and they are selling now. Each is about 1,583 to 1,698 square feet with three bedrooms, two to two-and-a-half baths, and a two-car garage. Like the Villas, you can build your way, choosing your homesite, floor plan, and finishes, and you are in the same gated Novel masterplan with the same central South Austin location.
Novel is built by Risewell Homes. I will be upfront: this is not a builder I have personally closed a deal with yet, so I am not going to hand you a tier rating from experience the way I can for the big production names on my builder list. From touring it, the finishes here are a clear step above typical builder grade. The community is served by Austin ISD, so confirm the exact campus zoning for your specific homesite. On location, you are in a quiet gated setting but minutes from South Menchaca's nightlife and some of the best barbecue in town, close to shopping and golf, and under 20 minutes from downtown. For the wider neighborhood picture, see my South Austin relocation guide, and for every new-build option, the South Austin new construction guide.
If you want a full-size detached home with room to spread out, the Villas are selling Phase 2 now. If you want a lower entry price and lock-and-leave living in the same location, the Duets townhomes start in the low $400,000s. Either way, I will help you compare the real monthly cost, including taxes and HOA, before you commit, and standing in your corner at the model costs you nothing because the builder pays your agent. Reach out or call (512) 487-9242.
South Austin is home base for me, and new construction is most of what I do, with 175+ closings since 2016 across South Austin, Buda, Kyle, and Bastrop. I toured Novel firsthand, and I will help you decide honestly between the Villas and the Duets based on your budget and how you live, then stand in your corner at the model, which costs you nothing because the builder pays your agent.