17 minute read
Home Sweet Home
Home Sweet Home
FORT BEND COUNTY IS HOME TO MANY PLANNED COMMUNITIES. OUR GROWTH AND BUSINESS LANDSCAPE WAS “DONE SMART.” DON’T BE MISTAKEN. PLANNED DOESN’T MEAN COOKIE-CUTTER. AS ONE OF THE MOST DIVERSE COUNTIES IN THE US, OUR DEVELOPERS ARE CREATING INNOVATIVE SPACES THAT IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR RESIDENTS AND THE LARGER COMMUNITY. AND WE’RE BEING RECOGNIZED FOR IT. FOUR OF THE NATION’S TOP 55 BEST-SELLING MASTER-PLANNED COMMUNITIES ARE IN FORT BEND COUNTY.
No vanilla suburban living here. Our communities are leading the way in the nation as some of the most progressive land uses to date. With options in sustainability, activities, and amenities, these communities aren’t your parents’ manicured lawn development.
Fort Bend’s communities are more than just buildings. They’re offering an unparalleled and innovative living experience. A pretty vista is only the beginning in Fort Bend. These exceptional neighborhoods offer a wealth of premium amenities, including parks, green belts, lakes, onsite cafes, golf courses, and hike and bike trails. They also offer innovative community-building opportunities, such as community education and classes, plus “agri-hood” features like backyard gardens, community farmer’s markets, and edible landscaping.
Fort Bend County residents experience the advantage of a culturally rich community, encompassing diverse cities, people, and lifestyles. Whether embracing the metropolitan ambiance of Sugar Land with its lofts and retail mixed-use developments, indulging in the amenities of master-planned communities in Missouri City, savoring the tranquil charm of Fulshear, or immersing in the historical allure of Richmond and Rosenberg, there’s a place for you in Fort Bend County.
Fort Bend: Where Texas Spirit Soars With Ingenuity And Innovation
Spanning 900 square miles and home to nearly 900,000 people across 18 communities, Fort Bend County boasts an active population with a can-do attitude.
Few communities are attractive to residents and businesses. The development process usually favors one or the other. Not in Fort Bend. Here, there’s a feeling of joint engagement in the development and expansion. (That’s also why we’re one of the fastest growing counties in Texas with a growth rate of 25.69%, according to the US census.)
THE PERFECT PLACE TO CALL HOME
Fort Bend is home to people of many cultures and in various seasons of their lives. We have a rich mix of young families, quality workers, and lifestyle seekers with diverse experiences. But one thing remains the same for all—they enjoy the abundance of living choices and ways to pursue their own definition of happiness and success.
SUGAR LAND
Voted best suburb of Houston and Fort Bend’s largest city (with a population of over 111,000), life certainly does seem sweet in Sugar Land. With its award-winning amenities, including internationally acclaimed parks and recreation facilities, 20 miles of hike and bike trails, programs and events, Sugar Land is also one of the safest cities in the country. Located just 20 minutes from Downtown Houston, the Texas Medical Center, Greenway Plaza, Reliant Center, and the Toyota Center, residents love the options and accessibility the area offers.
Home prices range from the $300,000s to the millions. The City of Sugar Land is investing in and transforming older properties as part of its Great Homes program that helps homeowners and homeowners’ associations redesign the outside of homes for greater curb appeal through painting, siding, windows, driveway, and fence projects.
In Sugar Land, residents work with the City on quality-of-life projects. In addition to the Great Homes program, the City launched a community fundraising campaign to construct a voter-approved animal shelter. Sugar Land’s Tourism Division and Visit Sugar Land also partner on bringing events to town like the recently announced Sugar Land Jazz Festival and the Sweet Beats Music Festival.
Sugar Land Town Square boasts a vibrant city center that includes a delightful mix of upscale retail, restaurants, and businesses surrounding a public plaza with year-round community events. Additionally, Sugar Land’s pro-business climate and family-oriented quality of life attract everything from company headquarters to innovative startups, making the city an economic powerhouse within the Greater Houston region.
The city is home to three area country clubs and golf courses – Sugar Creek, Sweetwater, and Riverbend – along with one of the state’s lowest tax rates for cities of comparable size.
MISSOURI CITY
Located minutes from the Greater Houston area, Missouri City is in the northern part of Fort Bend, with a portion of the city in Harris County. Accessibility is key to Missouri City. The Fort Bend Parkway Toll Road, which connects Missouri City to Houston makes living in the “Show Me City” and commuting to “H-Town” a breeze.
Missouri City is home to one of the nation’s top-selling, master-planned communities: the over 10,000-acre Sienna, where home values remain strong, and children attend top rated Fort Bend ISD schools in their neighborhood. Residents enjoy convenient on-site shopping and dining, year-round indoor and outdoor fitness options, concerts, food truck rallies, and lively festivals.
Recent commercial developments in the city include the Lakeview Business Park, Ben E. Keith distribution facility, Twin Star Bakery, and FedEx Ground warehouse representing the food services, energy, and shipping industries.
The city features a newly renovated golf course, where golfers can enjoy 36 holes across two unique golf courses. The El Dorado golf course provides a modern design with rolling terrain, a departure from the typical Houston area golf course. Meanwhile, the La Quinta golf course offers a classic setting, with generous tree-lined fairways and elevated greens, providing a target-style golf experience. Both courses serve as venues for numerous local and regional tournaments. There’s also the City Centre and the Quail Valley event spaces. Missouri City is home to 21 parks with 14 miles of trails.
RICHMOND
The county seat is located 15 miles southwest of Houston. Some of Richmond’s early residents are among the best-known in Texas history from that period including Jane Long, Erastus (Deaf) Smith, and Mirabeau B. Lamar along with other members of The Old Three Hundred.
Rich in history and small-town charm, Richmond’s Historic Downtown District features restaurants, bars, shops, and offices. History buffs enjoy the many historical landmarks, including the Morton Cemetery (1825), the Historic County Courthouse (1908), Congressman John M. Moore’s residence (1883), and the Long-Smith Cottage located within the Fort Bend Museum grounds.
The city is currently updating its Comprehensive Master Plan to address and shape the future of land use, facilities, public infrastructure, parks, and amenities to meet the needs of this growing community.
STAFFORD
In 1824, Stephen F. Austin granted William J. Stafford a league-and-a-half of land, where Stafford initiated cotton farming in a business-friendly environment that continues to define Stafford, Texas today. Stafford is one of the few cities without a City property tax. The tax was abolished in 1995, making it an ideal spot for business.
It’s home to over 2,000 businesses, which include Walmart and Sam’s Club, diverse restaurants, industrial parks, and distribution centers for companies such as UPS and Amazon. Fountains On The Lake, a 616,887-square-foot retail center recently underwent renovations and now houses 29 businesses including restaurants, retailers, office spaces, and a movie theater.
Home to the sole municipal school district in the state, accommodating grades K – 12, Stafford spans approximately seven square miles, with the majority of it in Fort Bend County.
The city boasts six public parks, as well as single and multi-family housing options. Conveniently located on Interstate 69 just outside of Houston, Stafford provides easy accessibility to the city.
ROSENBERG
Situated at the geographic center of Fort Bend, 25 miles west of Houston on Interstate 69, Rosenberg is a rapidly expanding community with nearly 40,000 residents. Established in 1823 on the Mexican land granted to Stephen F. Austin’s Old Three Hundred, the town was initially dubbed “Mudtown” due to its dirt streets and periodic flooding of the Brazos River. It later received the name Rosenberg, honoring Henry von Rosenberg, a prosperous railroad tycoon, who was essential in the town becoming a hub for the early railroad industry. Today, Rosenberg is undergoing unparalleled growth in commercial and residential sectors, all while preserving its cherished roots and charm.
Rosenberg’s Historic Downtown offers a variety of indulgences including antique stores, boutique shopping, cultural arts, dining, history, visual arts, and more. Distinguished as the first and only state-designated Cultural District in Fort Bend County, Historic Downtown Rosenberg is a vibrant center for cultural arts, embodying a rich tapestry of history and offering an array of engaging experiences.
Around 12% of Rosenberg’s real estate is dedicated to entertainment and lifestyle. Rosenberg is primarily residential development, single-family homes in a diverse range of sizes and price points. The city encompasses approximately 108 square miles, with 37 within the city limits. Currently, about 63% of this land remains undeveloped, presenting vast opportunities for commercial, residential, and industrial ventures.
MEADOWS PLACE
Encompassing precisely one square mile and recognized as “The Gateway to Fort Bend,” Meadows Place is situated along Interstate 69, just off Beltway 8. It is the closest city for convenient access to Houston and other areas of Fort Bend. Despite its modest size, Meadows Place offers a diverse array of retail and medical facilities, along with numerous outdoor activities, including 12 acres of developed parks. Fostering a strong sense of community, Meadows Place is characterized as “a small town in a town where the best of business, lifestyle, education, and transportation converge.”
Demonstrating some of the nation’s quickest response times for Fire and EMS, Meadows Place has earned an ISO Class 1 rating, signifying outstanding property fire protection. This achievement resulted in lower fire insurance rates for business owners. Businesses like Helfman Ford, Sterling McCall Toyota, Discount Tires, and Aldi have chosen Meadows Place as their home.
The city’s slogan is “Meadows Place: Your Place for Life” and they take that seriously by cultivating young leaders. In 2015, the City launched the Meadows Place Youth Action Council to serve as the voice of the teen community and promote youth leadership and responsibility through volunteerism and community involvement.
NEEDVILLE
Needville’s mantra defines this compact community of slightly over 3,000 residents within its two square miles. “The home of friendly people, where thousands live the way millions wish they could.”
Situated in southern Fort Bend, just 11 miles from Rosenberg, this rural enclave, established in 1891, proudly sustains its independent school district. Needville thrives as a community with a civic-minded ethos, hosting numerous annual events dedicated to supporting youth, parks, and community initiatives.
Needville is home to many small, independent businesses spanning retail, service industries, and agriculture. The town accommodates single-family homes within the town limits and on expansive rural acreage sites. For those seeking a lifestyle of tranquil country living, Needville remains an authentic and welcoming choice while remaining close to it all.
FULSHEAR
Established in 1824 through a land grant from Mexico to Churchill Fulshear, an original member of Stephen F. Austin’s Old Three Hundred, Fulshear is in northwest Fort Bend, 20 minutes from Katy. Spanning 12 square miles within the city limits (and an additional 45 miles in the extraterritorial jurisdiction), Fulshear offers the best of small-town living coupled with the substantial amenities of a larger urban center.
Incorporated in 1977, Fulshear maintains its small-town allure with locally owned retail establishments and a deep-rooted connection to agriculture. Serving as a hub for locally produced rice, cotton, soybeans, corn, poultry, sorghum, horses, and cattle, you can still see Texas Longhorns grazing in pastures, and farmers driving their trailers into town.
Despite its small-town traditions, Fulshear is home to several master-planned communities and top-ranked school districts. This appealing combination has made it one of the most soughtafter places to reside in the Greater Houston area. For those in search of small-town charm and first-class amenities, Fulshear delivers.
Building the Best in the Bend
We’re known for our master-planned communities. Here’s a closer look at each.
INDIGO BY MERISTEM COMMUNITIES - RICHMOND
The community originated from the vision of two farmers who aspired to create a space prioritizing people above cars, capital, or corporations. They aimed to foster a neighborly neighborhood, providing fertile ground for small businesses to thrive and expand. Meristem Communities sought to incorporate conveniences that simplify life and establish spaces and events that infuse happiness and significance into the daily routine.
What makes Indigo different? Perhaps it’s the meandering paths residents stroll down from their homes to shopping or dining without walking along a street. Maybe it’s the resident farm that hosts educational classes on agricultural best practices. Or maybe it’s how the developers thought of everything including “home finder software” for future residents looking for the ideal home location. The search functionality allows the potential homeowner to sort by how social the area is. That way introverts or those looking for a quieter existence can find just the right fit as can those who want to be in the middle of everything.
Indigo is also an ideal community for businesses. It offers two- and three-story business spaces that allow the onsite owner to lease their second and/or third-story space to other businesses or even live there as long as the bottom floor is a business open to the public.
AUSTIN POINT BY SIGNORELLI COMPANY – RICHMOND
Having broken ground in the fall of 2023, Austin Point is “blending residential, commercial, innovation, and imagination together” for a new approach to community. It’s strategically positioned at what will be the convergence of the Grand Parkway and Fort Bend Parkway. Austin Point’s primary entrance is along FM 762, just minutes south of I-69 and George Ranch High School.
Austin Point boasts limitless potential in terms of location and scale. Once the Fort Bend Parkway and Grand Parkway projects reach completion, the community will enjoy a mere 25-minute commute to the Texas Medical Center and the heart of Houston. Austin Point is anticipated to catalyze the new corridor, not only attracting residents to support the Grand Parkway expansion but also generating thousands of jobs and a substantial tax base to bolster the local community, school districts, and businesses alike.
The master plan for Austin Point envisions over 14,000 single-family homes and 15 million square feet of multi-family, office, medical, technology, retail, and hospitality spaces, on 4,700 total acres.
JOHNSON DEVELOPMENT’S AWARD-WINNING MASTER PLANNED COMMUNITIES IN FORT BEND
Building its success on vibrant and responsible development, Johnson Development has been a trailblazer in innovative master planning. For the past 10 years, it has consistently led as the developer with the highest number of top-selling master-planned communities in the nation. Since its inception in 1975, the award-winning Johnson Development offers an ideal combination of prime locations, high-performing schools, and reputable builders, surpassing expectations with outstanding amenity packages.
Each Johnson Development community reflects a growing emphasis on neighborhood spaces where residents connect. Additionally, there’s a strong emphasis on sustainability, preserving natural resources, and fostering a connection with nature through extensive trails, parks, waterways, and open spaces.
Johnson Development’s nine Fort Bend communities include:
CANDELA - RICHMOND
The 578-acre Candela community in Richmond along FM 359, about a mile south of the Westpark Tollway, is designed to be a bright spot for residents, offering beautiful homes by acclaimed builders and something-for-everyone amenities at Axis Amenity Center and Solstice Park. Residents enjoy a pool, splash pad, fitness center, dog park, yoga lawn, playground and more.
CROSS CREEK RANCH - FULSHEAR
Cross Creek Ranch is a 3,200-acre community in Fulshear, just minutes west of the Grand Parkway off FM 1093 and the retail corridor of the Texas Heritage Parkway. Cross Creek Ranch refers to its area as a “naturehood” because of its many lakes, natural landscaping, generous planned amenities, and sustainability efforts. As one of the nation’s top-selling communities, it is also home to water parks, tennis courts, a dog park, sports fields, and more than 60+ miles of hike-and-bike trails.
CROSS CREEK WEST - FULSHEAR
The 1,258-acre Cross Creek West community is on FM 359 at Jordan Road. Opened in 2022, Cross Creek West shares amenities with nearby sister community Cross Creek Ranch. Residents can enjoy nature and their neighbors among vistas of serene lakes and naturalized greenways that wind their way through the meticulously landscaped community of native plants chosen with sustainability and water efficiency in mind. A well-developed trail system will link inviting and refined communal spaces, such as the Waterhole amenity center. Whether on foot or by bicycle, recreational options will be easily accessible for all. Its master plan includes space for a Lamar CISD elementary school. Builders Lennar, Highland Homes, Newmark Homes, Perry Homes, Village Builders, and Westin Homes will showcase eight models in the community.
HARVEST GREEN - RICHMOND
Harvest Green is a 2,000-acre “agri-hood,” farm-centric development located in Richmond, offering residents a true farm-to-table experience from its 12-acre Village Farm, edible landscaping, and farm-themed lifestyle programming. This community not only provides just-picked produce but also fosters a sense of camaraderie through neighborhood gatherings, where residents form friendships over casual community events and children gain an appreciation for the environment as they witness the growth of crops within the community.
Harvest Green has been named both “Master-Planned Community of the Year” and “Best Community in Texas” and is consistently ranked among the top 50 selling communities nationwide. The community is expanding and also has plans to open another elementary school in 2026.
IMPERIAL - SUGAR LAND
Imperial surrounds the historic Imperial Sugar Company refinery at the northeast corner of Highway 90A and Highway 6 in Sugar Land. The 720-acre community boasts unique onsite attractions, including Constellation Field and the Fort Bend Children’s Discovery Center. Residents enjoy tree-lined boulevards, parks and trails, lakes, and Oyster Creek. The community features new luxury brownstones by Gracepoint Homes, combining traditional architecture with the conveniences of modern, upscale living.
JORDAN RANCH - FULSHEAR
Jordan Ranch is a 1,350-acre project in Fulshear that is located along Texas Heritage Parkway and one mile south of Interstate 10. Named as one of the nation’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities in 2022 and “Community of the Year” in the 2022 Houston’s Best PRISM Awards, Jordan Ranch boasts resort-style amenities including planned activities and lifestyle programming to fit every interest and age. Enjoy a relaxing trip down the Lazy River or a workout at the Fitness Center.
Jordan Ranch is where you can get away from it all – without being away from it all.
RIVERSTONE - SUGAR LAND
Envisioned to encompass around 6,400 homes accommodating approximately 18,000 residents, the 3,800-acre Riverstone development has evolved into one of Fort Bend County’s leading master-planned communities. Riverstone’s master plan includes a blend of townhomes, single-family homes, and custom residences, complemented by resort-caliber amenities, top-notch schools, and a diverse array of retail choices. More than 1,200 acres are devoted to lakes, green space, and parklands.
SIENNA - MISSOURI CITY
One of the nation’s top-selling master-planned communities, Sienna offers 10,800 acres along Highway 6 in Missouri City. Sienna promises a signature lifestyle, with a busy resident event calendar, multiple water parks and pools, two fitness centers, a 160-acre Camp Sienna sports complex, numerous public and private schools onsite, and much more. Sienna boasts a wide selection of homes, with pricing from the $300,000s to over $1 million.
VERANDA - RICHMOND
Veranda is a 710-acre development in Richmond near the northwest corner of Williams Way Boulevard and U.S. 59. Inspired by the tranquility of the south, Veranda is a mix of today and yesteryear, paying homage to the rich legacy of Richmond’s past and offering residents all the modern conveniences of an upscale master-planned community including a new elementary school, yoga lawn, splash areas, a spa, and more. Plus, Veranda has an onsite Director of Fun who’s busy planning engaging resident events for all to enjoy.
