More than 38,000 new housing units are projected to be added within Cy-Fair ISD’s boundaries in the next decade, according to demographers at Population and Survey Analysts. About 50% of those planned units are classified as single-family homes.

As homebuyers’ needs and desires change, local developers said single-family homes may start to look a little different. Two of the biggest housing developers in Cypress announced plans this spring for new townhomes.

Caldwell Cos. has already started construction on Northshore in Towne Lake, and The Howard Hughes Corp. announced June 16 presales will begin soon on the first residential product in Bridgeland Central—the 925-acre mixed-use development planned along the Grand Parkway.

Dallas-based homebuilder Highland Homes is contributing to both projects. John DePasquale, vice president of sales for Highland Homes’ Houston division, said after testing the floor plan designs in the Dallas-Fort Worth market, the company chose Cypress as its target for an entry into the Houston market and will be building in both Towne Lake and Bridgeland.

This concept provides a new option for empty nesters or young professionals interested in low-maintenance living while being able to take advantage of the amenities and retail options master-planned communities offer, he said. Pricing is comparable to traditional single-family homes in these communities, starting at the mid-$400,000s in Towne Lake and the high-$400,000s in Bridgeland.


“The customer is kind of the one pushing this ask of us: ‘I want to be a part of all that, but I still want that lock-and-leave product, minimal maintenance to where I can have the luxurious living, the open living lifestyle that I want in my house, but I want to be able to kind of still go there, enjoy the amenities to build, enjoy the retail,’” DePasquale said.

Homeowners association fees cover yard maintenance and exterior repairs. DePasquale said residents may also feel an added level of security as they tend to be more connected with their neighbors.

Buyers also do not have to sacrifice open-concept, luxurious living, he said. Floor plans range from 1,700-2,300 square feet with three to four bedrooms, two to three full bathrooms, and two-car garages that face either the front or the rear, depending on the plan.

Beazer Homes will also have a series of duets in Towne Lake’s Northshore, which also offer two single-family homes under one roof. Jennifer Symons, Caldwell Cos. vice president of marketing, said Beazer has developed the homes with soundproof and fireproof barriers between units.


“I think Towne Lake is just more about offering something for everyone,” Symons said. “We’ve always partnered with a wide variety of builders so that whether you’re a young family just starting out new to homeownership or you’re looking to downsize or someone’s looking for a custom home on the water, there truly is something for everyone.”

Millennials—who range in age from about 25 to 40—have made up the largest segment of homebuyers in Bridgeland in recent years, according to Jim Carman, Houston region president for The Howard Hughes Corp. He said he believes buyers in this demographic are looking for lower-maintenance living as well as traditional neighborhood amenities, quality schools, open spaces and walkability.

“It’s a wide demographic that’s looking for those townhomes—it’s empty nesters; it’s young professionals, young families,” he said. “These townhomes have very attainable price points. They have a lock-and-leave lifestyle that appeals to particularly the empty nesters. And so we expect to see that trend continue.”