Officials from San Marcos, Hays County and Brookfield Residential gathered Feb. 25 for a ground breaking ceremony at San Marcos' newest neighborhood, Kissing Tree.[/caption]Kissing Tree, named for the site of a speech former Texas governor Sam Houston once gave in San Marcos, will be geared to adults ages 55 and older and will feature 3,200 homes on 1,332 acres. Homes prices will range from $250,000 to $500,000.
Brookfield Senior Vice President Shaun Cranston said San Marcos presents opportunities that many baby boomers nearing retirement are looking for.
“When we looked at all the things that are important to where you or I might want to live—I’m close to resources, close to entertainment, infrastructure, transportation, jobs, education—San Marcos was literally ground zero of all these great things happening in San Antonio and Austin,” Cranston said.
Cranston said the development would not have been possible without the collaboration between the city of San Marcos and Hays County.
“This is truly an exciting day for all of us in San Marcos to see such a tremendous project underway,” Mayor Daniel Guerrero said. “This 3,200-home community will have a significant impact on our local economy and will add jobs to the city.”
Cranston said he has been pleased with the amount of growth the San Marcos area has experienced in the past decade.
According to city numbers, San Marcos issued 238 permits for single-family homes in 2015. That ended four consecutive years of increasing single-family permit issuance. From 2011 to 2014 the city issued 182, 224, 245 and 279 permits for single-family homes, respectively.
Cranston said he believes others have taken notice of San Marcos, too.
“San Marcos was the best-kept secret that no one knew about,” Cranston said. “Forever they thought it was the middle of nowhere. It’s like, ‘No, you’re the center of everything.’ We’re glad the world caught on.”
Cranston said he expects construction on model homes to begin in the next 45-60 days. Model homes will be open for the public to view in the fall.
