Site work has begun on a new full-service retirement community for people age 55 and older.

When it opens in 2023, the Touchmark at Emerald Lake development will offer 70 acres of panoramic views, rolling hills, trees and an 11-acre spring-fed private lake at the southwest corner of Hardin Boulevard and Virginia Parkway, per an Oct. 28 news release from Touchmark.

“This is going to be the ideal destination for retirees who are ready to begin a new chapter with friends, enjoy an active lifestyle and find fresh opportunities,” said Kendra Lackey, president of project overseer Touchmark Development & Construction, in a news release.

Touchmark at Emerald Lake was first announced in 2019, but since then the project has evolved. The development will include a future phase that will add more homes and a fitness center with a pool, a spa, a salon and restaurant-style dining. The total number of homes in the community will be more than 400, the release stated.

Amenities for residents in this community include lakeside trails, event lawns and open-air dining and entertainment venues, said Marcus Breuer, Touchmark CEO. This will be Touchmarks’s first community in Texas, he said.


“This location in particular with its lake and surrounding natural beauty presents an opportunity to build the largest and most exciting project in our 40-year history,” Breuer said in the news release. “We’re excited to build a retirement setting that is unlike anything we’ve had the opportunity to develop.”

In its first phase, Touchmark at Emerald Lake will offer 271 homes. Of these, 149 will be reserved for independent living with six of these being duplex residences. There will also be 84 assisted-living and 32 memory care residents. Of the 84 assisted-living homes, 32 of them will be studios that will feature a smaller neighborhood environment and a higher resident-to-staff ratio, the release stated.

“These will be especially beneficial for those living with physical challenges, like Parkinson’s disease, or individuals experiencing early cognitive impairment but who don’t need a secured environment,” according to the release.

Touchmark purchased the land for this development from the Turrentine family, who has been active in the McKinney area for more than 70 years, per the release.


During construction, Touchmark at Emerald Lake is expected to provide more than 1,000 local jobs during construction and nearly $25 million in local economic impact when fully built.

Touchmark develops, builds and operates full-service retirement communities in the U.S. and Canada. For more information, visit www.touchmark.com/senior-living/tx/mckinney/emerald-lake.


Editor's note: The original post has been edited to correct an error. Touchmark at Emerald Lake is expected to provide nearly $25 million in local economic impact when fully built.