While many homes in Austin share a retro and modern aesthetic, not many apartment complexes or condominiums have quite caught the mid-century bug. We stumbled across one complex that definitely fits the mid-century bill. Bel Air Lofts on South Congress isn't just embracing its neighborhood's mid-century modern roots, it's ushering in the future with a bevy of green building features. With its amazing combination of mid-century modern and South Austin retro styles, the Bel Air will inspire you to give your own home a taste of both worlds!
The Bel Air's aesthetic is fairly simple, but ultra effective. Cool gray and neutral concrete forms the basic look of exterior walls and sidewalks. Industrial steel details adorn doors, balconies, stairwells and light fixtures. Pops of retro colors peek out from painted nooks and exterior wall segments. Local plants take up residence along sidewalks and in unassuming planters. Even the overall feel of the complex, with tall buildings cozied up close to the interior roads and driveways creates a Hollywood movie set feel. 
Bel Air's story on their website really describes the complex best: "Bel Air is inspired by the rediscovery of mid-century Modernism, whose historical epicenter is Palm Springs, California. This innovative city’s unlikely fusion of buildings gained worldwide popularity and influenced mid-century America’s architectural landscape. Reaching Austin, remnants of this style are still evident today along South Congress Avenue’s eclectic collection of architecture. Bel Air highlights the area’s historical commitment to this proud, innovative and sometimes daring approach to urban design. To honor this bastion of retro-hipness, we named our seven home designs after some prominent Palm Springs locales, past and present."
As mentioned, Bel Air doesn't just look good, it's good for the environment, too. It features tons of green amenities like rooftop gardens, low E double pane windows and energy star appliances. Bel Air was even awarded a 4-Star Rating by Austin Energy. Bel Air is located at 4801 S Congress Ave in Austin. More about Bel Air's amazing aesthetic or green features can be found at their 
I lived there for a bit. Cinderblock walls are not soundproof by any means, man my neighbors were loud. Also, flooding a couple of times. The downstairs area of the 3 story 1 bed/1.5 bath I was in was very cold and dark (not in a cool lofty steel feeling, but in a "i don't want to be down there" feeling). Bedroom and closet was well layed out, closet was awesome! Bamboo floors scratched very easily -- oops I dropped my cellphone, whoops it left a dent. eek. Glad to be out of there but pretty from afar! Loved living by a car wash cause I love my car clean! Oh and the car lot across the street has a guy dress up in an ol skool gorilla outfit and it is kind of funny to see now and then.
view damask's profile
Wow! What a colorful and detailed description of living there! I guess you can't judge a book by its cover...
view adrienne breaux's profile
Great elevations but the landscape treatment is beyond terrible.
view NathanSE's profile
sorry---they look like tomorrows slums in a few years.
Where are the well designed areas for trees and plants and general GREEN space. Could of been nice if more thought went into them. Feels a lot like the stuff that was built in the 60's and now looks like crap in the midtown sections of anytown USA!
view poptart's profile
Where are the trees? Where is the grass? This just doesn't jive with Austin.
I agree with poptart - "tomorrow's slums in a few years."
view elisabeth mae's profile
I always thought calling that particular area a neighborhood was exaggerating. Sadly so many parts of Austin are so car-centric. When I first heard about them I figured they could possibly be nice, but the price is so high!
view charlenemcbride's profile
When this complex was first being built I thought it looked really interesting and cool. But I agree with the other commenters about the green space. As far as I can tell there are no trees, and almost no landscaping. I cringe every time i pass by Bel Air because it just seems so hot with all the concrete. But, I would love to see the inside of one of these units, and a rooftop deck is definitely a unique feature in Austin. Oh, and the gorilla guy is the best, always makes my day when he's out!
view Ashabo's profile
I looked into staying in one for a week through VRBO, but it didn't work out. Those cinderblock block walls looked really depressing...
view Kathryn's profile
"Hollywood movie set feel" As sets are temporary, that might not be a feeling to have. Or do you mean backlot? Which is also not really a place to live.
That first photo makes it look like a senseless killing sort of neighborhood. "He was a quiet man, kept to himself" vibe.
view Palmetto's profile
By East Coast standards the prices are really cheap. Guess you get what you pay for, even in Austin.
view wild-er's profile
For the same price you can get a house with a yard in a real neighborhood.
view charlenemcbride's profile