5 master-planned communities growing in Conroe

Other master-planned communities in the early stages include Cielo and Moran Ranch. Cielo is expected to begin home sales by the end of 2023.

Moran Ranch has cleared space at the southeast corner of FM 1097 and I-45. According to previous Community Impact reporting, the development spans 500 acres and will include about 900 homes by M/I Homes and Lennar Homes.

Steve Sams—senior vice president of master-planned communities, residential for the Houston market for the Howard Hughes Corp., developer of The Woodlands Hills—said Conroe draws developers and residents to the area as one of the fastest-growing cities in Texas.

“We really think the combination of amenities and high-quality homes and a selection of homebuilders really draws people to the area,” Sams said.

Grand Central Park, located at I-45 North and South Loop 336, will break ground on Deer Lake Estates, a 16-lot section of custom homesites adjacent to Deer Lake, this summer, said Amanda Burke, director of marketing for Johnson Development Corp. She said presales have begun, and model homes are expected to open by the fall or spring 2024.

Bob Douglass, senior vice president and general manager of Grand Central Park, said Kinetic Park and Deer Lake Park will begin construction this summer as well. He said Kinetic Park will include sand volleyball, a basketball court, fitness stations, a pavilion and a climbing boulder.

He said Deer Lake Park will be an enhancement to the 12-acre Deer Lake and will include a kayak launch, a refurbished pavilion with cafe lighting, open play space, a fishing dock, trail enhancements, concrete table games and more trees.

These parks will be completed by early 2024, Douglass said.

Located at the northwest corner of Hwy. 242 and FM 1314 in Conroe, Evergreen broke ground in September. There will be more than 2,000 homes in the community at build-out.

The community is in the works to add its first amenity park. Robert Santini, vice president of land acquisition and development for Shea Homes—the developer of Evergreen—said in a July 7 email Curiosity Park is under construction with a planned opening this fall.

He said Shea Homes is about to begin construction on the community’s amenity village, The Arbor, which will provide residents with a pool, a splash pad, an expansive playground, and a community center with a lounge and meeting space. Santini said the lake will be fully landscaped with trails set along the length as well as several pedestrian crossings along the way.

Cielo broke ground on over 370 lots in 2023 and is the Conroe area’s newest master-planned community taking shape. Jeff Dewese, senior vice president of land division for The Signorelli Co.—which developed Cielo—said in a July 3 email that builder partner homesites are expected to be available in late 2023. Community Impact previously reported the community will include more than 850 homes at build-out.

Dewese said Cielo has been designed to incorporate an extensive network of walking paths. He said the neighborhood community park is in the architectural design phase and will include a splash pad, a pavilion and a play set. Additionally, the community is planned to include a natural 5.5-acre amenity lake.

“We believe there is a strong demand for master-planned communities in Conroe and similar areas for several reasons,” Dewese said. “Master-planned communities offer a comprehensive and well-thought-out approach to development. These communities are designed to incorporate various amenities and facilities such as parks, schools, shopping centers and recreational areas.”

The Woodland Hills opened in 2018 and has grown to hold 1,000 homes. It opened its seventh park—named after outgoing Willis ISD Superintendent Tim Harkrider—on July 6.

Dr. Tim Harkrider Park is one of 20 parks that will be built throughout the community by build-out. Sams said he believes residents look for opportunities to walk around and enjoy the community, and it is a goal for there to be one park within walking distance of each home in the community. Trails will be added for residents walking to parks as well.