The Unique East Austin Residential Development
In East Austin’s 78702, nestled among its historic neighborhoods like Rosewood and East Cesar Chavez, is Lorraine Heights. Just four miles from downtown Austin, it offers a mix of early 20th century homes, bungalows and cottages combined with and new infill residences. One of its newest infill residences is a three unit boutique multi-home “community within a community” at 2908 Glen Rae, East Austin – Tarrytown Roofing’s latest project collaboration.
Designed by Pavonetti Architecture and Studio Brownstone, and developed by Brownstone Custom Investments (Brownstone CI), these homes combine contemporary aesthetics, sustainable construction, and thoughtful urban planning – and include flat roofs that maximize living space and views of downtown Austin. Brownstone CI’s philosophy focuses on thoughtful infills of small, curated enclaves within established neighborhood – like Lorraine Heights. They are design driven, creating homes that are sophisticated, functional and maximize lot potential – while fitting into the existing aesthetics of the neighborhood.
In addition, these homes are designed for eco-conscious sustainability and with the health of the homeowner in mind. For example, homes are built with energy efficient appliances and materials, high-performance Rockwool insulation, healthier building materials, and advanced HVAC systems that provide cleaner air. Each home features open-concept living spaces, lots of natural lighting, premium finishes, chef-inspired kitchens, and seamless flow between the indoor and outdoor living spaces.
What Flat Roofs Accomplished
For the Lorraine Heights project, Brownstone CI wanted to make sure to learn from previous developments, so they chose TPO flat roofs. Why did they choose flat roofs?
Since the Glen Rae homes have limited lot space – particularly with three dwellings on one lot – maximizing living space is important. A flat roof can double as a rooftop terrace or deck, maximizing functional outdoor areas without sacrificing interior space. Secondly, flat roofs allow for unobstructed sight-lines, which is ideal for these homes with a view of downtown Austin.
Additionally, opting for flat roofs aligned with contemporary architectural aesthetics of the new homes’ design. They offer clean lines and a minimalist look that blends with these urban infill homes designed to fit into the historical Lorraine Heights neighborhood. Lastly, to maintain their philosophy of sustainability, flat roofs can accommodate solar panels, green roofs, and rainwater collection systems, maximizing efficiency in limited spaces.
The Importance of Flat Roofing Done Right
While flat roofs offer a number of benefits, there’s a caveat: Because of the low slope, there is very little margin for error when installing a flat roof. And the consequence of an incorrectly installed flat roof can be enormous.
A flat roof must be installed correctly in order to protect the structure from potential water damage. Steep slope roofs can shed the water easily using gravity, but low slope roofing systems like flat roofs have a nominal slope which, if not done correctly, can lead to the water collecting on the roof. This stagnant roof water is known as ponding. The margin for error on flat roofs is small because ponding must be avoided since it can cause significant damage to the structure below.
While flat roofs require specialized materials, drainage, and weatherproofing, Tarrytown Roofing expertly handled every aspect to ensure durability and a clean, contemporary look. The Tarrytown Roofing team installed durable, high-performance roofs across all three homes, emphasizing energy-efficient ventilation, seamless integration with sustainable building systems, and precise craftsmanship that complements the modern architecture.
Once completed (scheduled for spring 2026), the Glen Rae residences will combine timeless design, premium construction, and sustainable living, set in East Austin’s vibrant community just minutes from downtown – now complete with views from their roof top decks!
