The Friendswood Development Company and the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce celebrated the groundbreaking and ribbon cutting of Woodtrace—a new 488-acre, 840-home master-planned community under construction northwest of Tomball.

Woodtrace, at the corner of Hwy. 249 and Woodtrace Boulevard in Montgomery County, will include houses in the upper $300,000-$800,000 price range from builders such as Ashton Woods Homes, Trendmaker Homes, Village Builders and J. Patrick Homes. The gated master-planned community is expected to house at least 2,500 residents and feature an estimated 20-acre lake, walking trails, parks, ponds, soccer fields and a central recreation center.

"When we looked at Woodtrace, it was one of those communities where we were able to check off all of the boxes," said Tim Fitzpatrick, community development manager for Friendswood Development. "Woodtrace has it all and is a home run for us."

Woodtrace is located within Tomball ISD and includes a 15-acre plot for the possible construction of a new elementary school. Woodtrace officials have contacted Tomball ISD to inform them about the property, but it is not currently on the district's plans for future development.

"Housing inventory is really low right now," said Bruce Hillegeist, president of the Greater Tomball Area Chamber of Commerce. "We're just so happy to have [Woodtrace] here right now."

Friendswood Development Company will host another event this fall to celebrate the opening of the first set of model homes in Woodtrace. Build out on the community is expected by mid to late 2018.