Though the town is known primarily for its seascapes, summertime fun and pastel beach houses, Port Aransas owes its deep roots to a fishing community that spans generations. Offshore fishermen from all over the country come to experience the deep cerulean blue water and storied pelagic fish that lie just past the realm of imagination.
At the heart of it all, the Fisherman’s Wharf and city marina serve as temporary lodging for these impressive boats. And how do they get there? The corridor to all the action, the main vessel to our industry — the Aransas ship channel. Although many homes in Port Aransas line the water’s edge, a rare few properties have the benefit of a front-row view of the massive ships that traverse its main artery.

Both Austin natives, David and Elizabeth Blackbird separately grew up weekending in Port Aransas at their grandparent’s surfside stilt houses. Having a deep love for fishing and reverence for their childhood memories of the coast, they set out to purchase a house in the area.
Together with a well-equipped team of contractors and designer Christina Fratila, the Blackbirds turned a distinctive single-story Port Aransas property into their coastal chic home away from home. “We always wanted a house in Old Town to go on walks, etc., but [it was] also critical to have water access,” David said.
Fratila’s dedication to instilling personal aspects of the Blackbirds’ lives into the home created a beautiful, functional and seamless layout. What was once influenced by a heavy Mediterranean aesthetic became interiors with a breath of fresh sea air the family knew so well. “As soon as we put a fresh coat of paint, knocked out the [Cantera stone] arches and installed the wooden beam, the house felt so much bigger,” Fratila recalled. “I wanted to integrate the essence of the perfect turquoise watercolor and what boating represents [to the family] into the design.”
The home’s layout plays a critical part in creating their coastal respite. Separate from the main house’s two primary bedrooms, twin satellite casitas, appropriately named to their function, host the family’s guests with ease. The “Bunk House” has a set of triple bunks for hosting their teenage children and friends, while the “Honeymoon Suite” offers all the amenities for a couple to channel vacation vibes.
As the Blackbird family grows, and life slows down, they aim to one day make this home their primary residence.
Designer Christina Fratila, CF Designs; Contractor Chad Shimaitis/Peter Young, Underway Construction; Millwork Top Shelf Custom Cabinets