Development that has been in the works in Cypress since 2007 is finally coming to fruition.

Archie Dunham, chairman emeritus of Chesapeake Energy and former CEO of Conoco Inc., plans to develop a new master-planned community, Dunham Pointe, starting next summer. The development is being planned on the south side of Hwy. 290 between Mueschke and Mason roads and north of Bridgeland.

Dunham said he purchased the land almost a decade ago.

“The property is really the last major piece of land on [Hwy.] 290, before you get to the Grand Parkway,” he said.

The stretch of land consists of 1,327 acres, 300 of which will be dedicated to retail development along the Hwy. 290 corridor. The rest will be devoted to anywhere between 2,500 and 3,000 residential homes.

Dunham is also the developer behind Stone Creek Ranch, a community located farther west along Hwy. 290 in Hockley. He said the Dunham Pointe will have a higher price point than Stone Creek Ranch with houses likely to start at $400,000.

Dunham said he has spoken with interested parties about a potential school site, but is focusing more on the commercial elements of the development first.

Construction is expected to begin in May or June, and lots will be ready in 2018.

In 2007, when Dunham first acquired the land, he entered into negotiations with Union Pacific Railroad to develop street crossings over the railroad tracks for Mason and Mueschke roads. The negotiations wrapped up in December 2015.

Dunham said he initially became interested in real estate when acquiring land for the Community of Faith, a church his family founded. He said he is also open to bringing a new campus for the church to Dunham Pointe.

“We are always open to spreading God’s word, so we would be open to [additional sites of Community of Faith], whether it is a church or a faith-based university,” he said.