Construction on Shenandoah’s first single-family residential development east of I-45 is slated to begin this spring, Palmetto MDR President and owner Tim Crawford said.

Centro, a 13-acre development surrounding Shenandoah’s David Memorial Drive extension project, will be a modern commercial and residential area located between Shenandoah Park Drive and the Sam Moon Center/MetroPark Square.

Developed by Palmetto Homes and its sister company, Palmetto MDR, Centro will consist of a gated community of 78 single-family homes, 18 new concept townhomes and two commercial buildings. Crawford said the development will be similar to those found in The Woodlands’ Hughes Landing and East Shore communities but with a modern twist.

“There is nothing in the area with modern design, the proximity to amenities and transportation access at this low price point,” Crawford said. “It just doesn’t exist anywhere in North Houston.”

The gated residential section will feature two-story detached patio homes and three-story detached town homes, with sizes ranging from 1,900 square feet to 2,600 square feet and prices ranging from $300,000 to more than $400,000. All homes will include  two-car garages.

Crawford described the development as being a “lock-and-leave” community with a maintenance-free homeowners association. He said he believes the community will appeal to internationals, single parents, empty nesters and young retirees.

The 18 new concept townhomes will be detached, three-story 2,300 square feet structures. The top two floors will be a townhome while the bottom floor can be used for a variety of purposes, Crawford said.

“Some options on the first floor include office, light retail, additional residential space—such as a mother in-law suite, a combination of uses or just open similar to a loft,” Crawford said. “This product is intended to be sold to investor buyers, primarily.”

The final component of the development is a pair of two-story retail or office buildings, which have a combined space of 40,000 square feet. Crawford said the buildings will be located on either side of the David Memorial Drive extension project and are due to be complete by late 2018.

Adjacent to the development is Shenandoah’s large lake, which city officials plan to improve in the coming months to serve as an amenity for the community as well as a flood mitigation tactic.

“Most likely, you will see home products going vertical fall 2017 after the private infrastructure is completed this summer,” Crawford said, “We think we will hit the market just as its starts to accelerate post-oil recession.”