Austin Weird Homes Tour Shuttered For Now: Here's Why

Austin TX

22 June, 2021

11:18 AM

Description

AUSTIN, TX — A popular tour that guides Austinites and visitors to see the city's "weird and unique" architecture has shut its door for now due to the coronavirus pandemic, officials said. The Weird Homes Tour, which features weird and unique homes and home owners in tours around the world, announced Tuesday it would be closing its doors as business had taken a hit from COVID-19. The tour was founded by David and Chelle Neff of Austin in 2014 as a way to explore art and architecture and give back to their community, according to the tour's website. "After eight wonderful years, and due to business slow down during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Weird Homes Tour has decided to retire," officials said in a Facebook post. The tour has been featured in popular newspapers and magazines including the Austin Monthly, Tribeza, The Austin Chronicle, CBS We Are Austin and Texas Monthly. The Weird Homes Tour was also a part of two pilot TV pitches to HGTV and Netflix, officials said. "I really loved meeting the people behind these amazing homes," said managing director Kevin Shaw. "They are extremely fascinating people whose homes reflected their passions. I found a lot of inspiration through them and I hope that our guests did as well." Officials said they are proud of how the tour became a social impact company over the last eight years. Many of the tours raised over $18,000 in affordable housing across the country, authorities said. Both founders said they are inviting the community to send their suggestions in how to save The Weird Homes Tour in 2022. Interested members can contact the tour at [email protected]. "We are going to retire this event for now. And not in a Ozzy Osborne has one more tour way, or a Michael Jordan comes back to play baseball way," officials said. "We will only bring back this brand if we receive a true sign that Austin is ready."