For Hilltown Building Company, building beautiful homes is about more than construction. It’s a family affair rooted in decades of experience, a love for Austin, and a shared appreciation for thoughtful design. The husband-and-wife team brings a uniquely personal approach to every project, working closely with trusted architects and craftsmen to breathe new life into some of Central Austin’s most beloved homes. With a focus on quality over quantity, Hilltown takes on just a handful of projects each year, ensuring every detail receives their personal attention. We caught up with husband-and-wife team Max and Tina to learn more about their story, their passion for preserving older homes, and what makes a home truly stand the test of time.
Hilltown Building Company is truly a family business. We’d love to hear the story behind it. What inspired you to build Hilltown together, and how do your different backgrounds complement one another?
We have always been involved in construction, real estate and design. My father was an Austin developer in the late 70’s through the early 2000’s and built many projects in Austin so I grew up around real estate. Max started in construction in his twenties and after moving here in the late 90’s, he started his own renovation company. We built and designed our first home together and in that process, we discovered immense joy working together. With me being an active real estate agent, there is great synergy between our businesses.
For someone discovering Hilltown Building Company for the first time, how would you describe what sets your company apart?
We don’t use hired project managers, we personally manage every detail. That is why we only take on a couple of projects per year. We leverage the almost 40 years of experience and the strong relationships with our tradesman, artisans and craftsman that go back decades.
Your website speaks a lot about craftsmanship, collaboration, and a hands-on approach. How do those values shape the experience your clients have from the first meeting to the final walkthrough?
Our clients receive the highest level of quality and service because we personally manage the entire build process from start to finish. The combination of long- standing relationships with our trade partners and our guiding principle to deliver a quality experience and a finely detailed home that will stand the test of time is what motivates us every day.
Bryker Woods Project
Architect: Page Paul Architecture
Photographer: Chase Daniel Photography
Many of your projects involve transforming existing homes through thoughtful renovations and additions. What do you enjoy most about breathing new life into a home with history?
We believe wholeheartedly that many old homes are meant to be revived versus torn down. Our favorite projects are those that involve renovating and expanding older homes in Central Austin. Working closely with talented and creative architects; and our trade partners we thoughtfully navigate the often times challenging nuances of bringing old homes’ next chapter to reality.
Cuernavaca Project
Architect: Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects
Photographer: CQ Media Texas
After more than 30 years in the industry, what’s some advice you find yourself giving homeowners over and over before they begin a renovation or custom build?
- The project starts with the architect but select your builder early so the design process does not get too far ahead of the pricing effort.
- In all but the smallest of renovations, plan on moving out.
- Understand that you will make hundreds of decisions and the earlier those decisions are made the more predictable the process will be.
Tarrytown Project
Architect: Just Right Architecture
Photographer: CQ Media Texas
Austin continues to grow and evolve. What excites you most about the future of residential design and homebuilding here?
The industry continues to evolve in the area of building science and smart home construction. The amazing growth here has provided an opportunity to put Austin on the cutting edge of these advances – and we are here for it!
Rosedale Project
Architect: Just Right Architecture
Designer: MB Sullivan Design
Photographer: Madeline Harper Photography
When someone walks into a Hilltown Building home ten or twenty years from now, what do you hope they feel?
Quality construction can be felt when you walk through the door whether a home is 10, 20 or 30 or more years old. We are proud to deliver this level of quality to our clients.
One Last Thing…
- Favorite Austin neighborhoods? Our own (Tarrytown), Clarksville and Hyde Park.
- Favorite room in a home? A fabulous outdoor living space
- Favorite Austin restaurant? There are so many, but we love Fonda San Miguel.
- One feature every dream home should have? Good lighting!
- Describe Hilltown Building Company in three words. Quality, Transparency, Integrity
Contact:
Website: https://www.hilltownbuilding.com/
Email: max@hilltownbuilding.com
Instagram: @hilltownbuilding
