| FEATURE ARTICLE, OCTOBER 2006
PUTTING THE URBAN IN SUBURBAN
Greater Houston’s master-planned communities are providing residents with work/live/play environments right at their doorsteps.
Blake Tartt III
For those desiring life in a pastoral and affordable setting, greater Houston’s master-planned communities are the chosen residential destination. However, the unpleasant trade-off for many master-planned residents is the necessity to commute long miles over long periods of time for access to the inner city’s densest areas of employment and commerce.
But a welcome end may be in sight for Houston’s suburban road warriors. Big-time employers and growing-business hotbeds are themselves beginning to redefine residence in greater Houston’s master-planned communities. It’s a sea of change that’s gaining momentum — meaning the need for master-planned community residents to drive for dollars is rapidly becoming a thing of the past.
Change of this manner is taking place all around Houston. Two such master-planned communities — one on the rise, and one that is a model for all others to follow — are breaking the mold in master planning.
Cinco Ranch, a Newland Community on Houston’s west side, is an example of a master-planned community where commercial development is beginning to make a difference for area residents. Originally attracted to the area’s proximity to the Interstate 10 energy corridor and its excellent schools, Cinco Ranch is today offering more and more opportunity for those looking to work close to home.
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Veranda at Cinco Ranch is a 60,000-square-foot mixed-use project under development in Cinco Ranch, a master-planned community on the west side of Houston.
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Vista Equities Group and Amstar Group are moving forward with LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch, a $50 million mixed-use property that will feature 240,000 square feet of retail and office space. At the development’s heart is a pedestrian-friendly environment reminiscent of a traditional town square. The development will be a boon for the community’s spirit, but will also attract businesses and local employees alike.
To help further fulfill the need for professional/office, medical and consumer-services space, Veranda at Cinco Ranch is also under development. This 60,000-square-foot mi-xed-use venue will be ideal for the Cinco Ranch businessperson who has the desire to establish an office close to home.
Another important factor impacting Cinco Ranch, which may initially seem contrary to the notion of working close to home, is the recent opening of the Westpark Tollway. The Tollway is a new economic avenue open to Cinco, as it offers quick access to the heart of Houston. Now those employed in Cinco Ranch can zoom to inner-city commerce hubs, while their inner-city counterparts can also attend a meeting in Cinco Ranch with the same level of convenience.
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The Woodlands master-planned community, located 40 miles north of Houston, was established in 1974. It is now home to such corporations as Baker Hughes, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Halliburton and Anadarko Petroleum.
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Located about 40 miles north of Houston, there is a community that is a shining example for all Houston-area master-planned communities to follow — The Woodlands. Established in 1974 as the ultimate outpost for Houstonians seeking a secluded lifestyle, The Woodlands is today a city unto itself, where residences, schools, amenities, retailers and Fortune 500 companies are harmoniously co-existing under the treetops.
Baker Hughes, Chevron Phillips Chemical, Halliburton and Anadarko Petroleum are among the top names on The Woodlands’ impressive roster of corporate citizens. These global companies and many other businesses of virtually every size employ 44,000 people. With 33,000 households in The Woodlands, it’s easy to see that the vast majority of The Woodlands residents also have the opportunity to work in their own community. Access to quality regional education, medical care, daycare, a mall and one of the region’s most impressive retail-driven town center developments make staying close to home an even easier choice.
Along with a localized workforce, de facto zoning is another important advantage offered to businesses in every master-planned community. In Houston, a city devoid of zoning, you may find a prestigious restaurant located next to an all-night bookstore. A real estate mix like this probably wouldn’t be found in a master-planned community. Businesses are instead effectively placed into districts where each individual business benefits from a holistic approach. This can mean more sales for everyone. And, of course, all businesses and residences are required to conform to signage and aesthetic standards. When looking for locations, many businesses like this kind of controlled environment.
Communities like Cinco Ranch and The Woodlands have shown us that the long-established employer/ employee relationship is being reversed. Traditionally, workers had to travel or even relocate to centers of employment. Today, employers are realizing that to acquire of some of the best intellectual capital, they are the ones required to commute.
Like The Woodlands to the north, and Cinco Ranch to the west, master-planned communities all around Houston are undergoing similar changes. Sugar Land Town Square on the southwest side is a landmark mixed-use development for the area, and the Sienna Plantation master-planned development has benefited from nearby economic enhancements. As more employers move to where the residential rooftops are, today’s master-planned community is effectively becoming a city unto itself, offering the same kind of conveniences and employment opportunities found in a metropolis.
Blake Tartt III is president and CEO of New Regional Planning, a real estate strategy firm in Houston.
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