Development surges in Valley Ranch

Meanwhile, some New Caney residents cited increased traffic as one downside to the growth in Valley Ranch.

What's changed

Wattson said much of the recent activity at Valley Ranch has been within the 138-acre Entertainment District, located north of Valley Ranch Town Center. In addition to Hope Media Group's global headquarters, Lumos—an entertainment venue—opened Oct. 2.

“[Valley Ranch] is just truly a vibrant place, and so there’s a lot of activity and a lot of interaction with the local community,” Hope Media Group CEO Joe Paulo said.

Additionally, EMCID’s convention center is slated to open in late 2026.

“The convention center will be a driver of revenue to the area,” said Kelley Mattlage, EMCID’s vice president and chief communications officer. “More people have jobs, businesses expand or new businesses come in, and then the local community has more opportunities.”

Meanwhile, Valley Ranch Town Center welcomed several new businesses this year, and at least four more are expected to open by next summer.

“When there is an opportunity for a tenant to get into [Valley Ranch] Town Center, we don’t lack the amount of people that are interested,” Wattson said.

Keep in mind

Montgomery County will be working with the Texas Department of Transportation to build two ramps connecting the Grand Parkway’s main lanes and frontage roads near Valley Ranch Town Center. The ramps are expected to improve traffic flow in the area, a spokesperson with Montgomery County Precinct 4 confirmed Nov. 6.

The $5.8 million project will include a one-lane westbound exit ramp and a one-lane eastbound entrance ramp located along the Grand Parkway’s Segment G between where the roadway intersects with Valley Ranch Parkway and Hwy. 59. Project bidding is expected to kick off in September 2027, TxDOT Public Information Officer Leo Flores said via email Nov. 5.

Esther Burchert, a resident of the Tavola neighborhood, said she has heard some people complain about an increase in traffic due to the growth in Valley Ranch, but she feels that the change is an overall positive for the community.

“I guess it’s growing pains—trying to get used to all the influx of people and all the traffic,” Burchert said. “But for the most part, I hear a lot of positives from everybody. They like having things close by. ... Convenience seems to be a big thing for a lot of people here.”

Staying local

It’s hard for a business not to do well at Valley Ranch Town Center, said Mark Linabury, president and CEO of the Greater East Montgomery County Chamber. However, like with any growing area, local businesses can face challenges when marketing themselves alongside larger national chains, he added.

“I would love to see a continued space for local brands, but it also gives them the challenge to ... be unique and different and doing those things that makes local residents want to shop local,” Linabury said.

Andrea Schlecht, the owner of dermani MEDSPA, said operating her clinic in Valley Ranch Town Center for the last two years has been a positive experience.

“The area is expanding fast, but you still get the feeling of being a part of a tight-knit and super welcoming community,” Schlecht said.

Wattson said The Signorelli Co. makes a conscious effort to include local and small brands.

Wattson said The Signorelli Co. is focusing next on its Health/Wellness District, which will include medical, retail and residential offerings, according to the company’s website. Along Hwy. 59 in New Caney, 700 homes will be added to anchor the district, with construction expected to begin within the next year.

Other upcoming projects are the Marketplace and Commerce East and West shopping plazas, which will be south of Valley Ranch Town Center, Wattson said. Marketplace is a 188-acre shopping center, while Commerce West/East will feature 400,000 square feet of tenant space.

Some plaza tenants are new to the Houston region and may be announced as soon as December, Wattson said.

“I’ve been in this business a long, long time,” Wattson said. “[Valley Ranch] is one of the strongest markets that I have [had] the pleasure to deal with.”