The Woodlands Housing Options

More Housing Options Take Shape Around The Woodlands

Gracepoint Homes has started preselling houses in a new, gated community in Shenandoah.
The new community, Marion, located off Wellman Road, will have 62 homes starting from the $620,000s and ranging from 3,411 square feet to 3,776 square feet.

Courtyards will be a prominent feature of the homes,Tom Cox, Jr., president of Gracepoint Homes, said in a statement.

"Many of the rooms in each home design overlook the central courtyard, which allows indoor and outdoor living to blend seamlessly," Cox said. "The courtyard design also creates an impressive entry for each home."


Photo courtesy of Gracepoint Homes
Marion, a 12-acre development, will include a community green space. In addition, front yard and exterior maintenance is part of the community's homeowner association dues.
"Residents also will enjoy Shenandoah's lower tax rates and being zoned to top schools within the Conroe Independent School District," Cox said.

For more information visit the Community Website here.


DJ & Elizabeth Arsenault | 281-989-6934 | Info@TexanRealtor.com | Home Page

Whole Foods Sets Opening Date for First Woodlands Store

Whole Foods has announced it will open its first Woodlands location at 8 a.m. March 18. The grocer, which specializes in natural and organic foods, will open at 1925 Hughes Landing Blvd., Ste. 100.

The 40,000-square-foot Woodlands location of Whole Foods will be the 10th in the Greater Houston area. The grocery chain was founded in Austin in 1980.

Whole Foods plans to open a 40,000-square-foot grocer in Hughes Landing in 2015. It will be the first Whole Foods Market in The Woodlands.

“Local residents have long expressed strong interest in having a Whole Foods Market in The Woodlands,” said Paul Layne, executive vice president of master-planned communities for The Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns The Woodlands. “It will be an exceptional destination within Hughes Landing and across The Woodlands, adding to the many benefits of living, working and playing in this vibrant community.”

The 66-acre Hughes Landing development, located along Lake Woodlands Drive west of Grogan’s Mill Road, already features two office buildings with more on the way. The project will also offer several restaurants along what is being called Restaurant Row, including Truluck’s, Del Frisco Grille, Local Pour and California Pizza Kitchen.
 

Alex Sutton, co-president of The Woodlands Development Company, said many of the restaurants would begin opening this spring.
 

One Lake’s Edge, an apartment complex in Hughes Landing, is leasing for an April opening, and construction is underway on an Embassy Suites Hotel.

Source: Impact News


DJ & Elizabeth Arsenault | 281-989-6934 | Info@TexanRealtor.com

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Development Plans for Former Camp Strake in Conroe, TX

More plans were announced in 2014 for the former Camp Strake site, which was purchased in July 2013 by the Johnson Development Corp. Construction is expected to begin on a new development at the former site of Camp Strake in Conroe along the corner of I-45 and Loop 336 within the next two years.
Johnson Development officials revealed detailed plans for an estimated 2,000-acre, mixed-use development known as Strake–The Grand Central Park to be constructed about 4 miles north of The Woodlands.

The Boy Scouts of America owned and managed the Strake property for about 70 years before Johnson Development acquired it in 2013.

“There’s a strong scouting community and the Strake property holds a lot of things and promises to it,” said Virgil Yoakum, general manager of Woodforest Development in Conroe at Johnson Development Corp. “So the difficult task will be to weave ourselves into this natural resource and come away with something prideful and the least impactful, so to speak.”

Strake–The Grand Central Park will be divided into several different sections with a variety of residential units, retail areas, corporate offices and green space.

“There are a multitude of potential uses for the development,” Yoakum said. “From traditional family to higher density units, to corporate retail and corporate office uses, to townhomes and many other forms.”

In late September, Johnson Development and Fidelis Realty Partners finalized the acquisition of a 112-acre tract planned for future retail development at the Strake property.
The tract is proposed to include a 750,000-square-foot shopping, dining and entertainment complex. Construction is slated to begin on the retail area in late 2016 and is expected to open to the public by early 2017.

The west village portion of the Strake property is proposed to include several traditional, single-family homes, Yoakum said. In addition, there are plans to construct a town center in the middle of the Strake property with urban living centers and entertainment areas as well as corporate offices along I-45, he said.

Housing up to 5,000 residents, the Strake property could include about 2,500 to 2,700 residential units of various types, including traditional houses, townhomes, apartments and live-work units, Yoakum said. 

At build-out in the next few decades, the property is proposed to include at least 1 million square feet of retail space.

Meanwhile, Sam Houston State University is working toward a deal with Johnson Development to build a medical school at the Strake property in the future. If the deal is finalized and the project is completed, the SHSU facility will be the first medical school in Montgomery County.
Source: Community Impact News​


DJ & Elizabeth Arsenault | 281-989-6934 | Info@TexanRealtor.com | www.TexanRealtor.com 
"Oh, and by the way, we are never too busy for your referrals!" 

Coming to The Woodlands in 2015

The Woodlands Economy to Remain Strong in 2015

The Woodlands is expected to continue developing commercial, residential and transportation projects in the coming year despite an energy economy slowdown that could force many of the companies the community covets to tighten their financial belts.

Hughes Landing will see many of its major retail establishments open in 2015. Meanwhile, the Village of Creekside Park will continue to be the focus of new home sales and see the continued development of its village center.

On the mobility front, Woodlands drivers dealt with a multitude of traffic issues in 2014, including lane closures due to pipeline installation and overpass constructions. They can expect more of the same this year as local entities continue to work to improve the worsening vehicle congestion. 

Economic development
By spring, Woodlands residents could see a multitude of new dining options, as well as a new amenity with the opening of Restaurant Row. The boardwalk-style dining district will feature up to seven new restaurants with Local Pour, Whiskey Cake and Escalante’s likely opening this spring, Sutton said.
The Development Company is also negotiating leases with Del Frisco’s Grille, Crave American Kitchen and Sushi Bar, California Pizza Kitchen and other similar restaurants.
“There are still a couple of spaces we are looking to fill,” Sutton said. “We want to get [Restaurant Row] filled with the right [restaurants] and the right menus to complement the others.”
Meanwhile the Village of Creekside Park Village Center will see several businesses open in the coming year, including Fielding’s Wood Grill, Crust Pizza Company and many service-oriented businesses. 
The Development Company  is also continuing construction and planning of its Class A office buildings, including 3 Hughes Landing and 10 Waterway. Sutton said the Development Company hopes to secure a company that will lease significant office space in 10 Waterway before beginning construction.

“That’s a big building, and we want to get about 250,000 square feet leased before we start construction,” he said. Along with the Development Company, The Woodlands Area Economic Development Partnership is charged with recruiting new businesses—and retaining existing businesses—to occupy the facilities that are built.

Gil Staley, CEO of the Economic Development Partnership, said despite the perceived economic downturn in the energy industry, which is represented by several major companies headquartered in The Woodlands, local job growth remains strong. “I anticipate [the number of jobs in The Woodlands] being up,” he said. “And that includes health care, where there is a lot of positive growth, and some energy companies. At this point [the energy industry] has not yet been negatively impacted. Six months from now it could change dramatically.”

Transportation and mobility

Last year saw significant groundwork laid for improvements to the area’s transportation and mobility system. With rapid increases in resident and employee populations, as well as vehicles on the road, both Montgomery County and The Woodlands Township initiated studies that proposed possible solutions to the traffic problem.

This year, the county and township will look to take action on those recommendations. Montgomery County is expected to seek voter approval this spring for a road bond for as much as
$500 million, while the township will look to improve its transit system and initiate a study into implementing cycling lanes throughout the community.



“We have a very active [cycling] community, and a master bike plan would look at the existing thoroughfares in The Woodlands—ones that are practical and ones that are impractical for bike travel,” said Bruce Tough, chairman of the township board of directors.

Tough said the township will also likely institute changes to its park and ride system to include new routes into parts of downtown Houston, the Medical Center and Midtown. Transit changes could also include bringing employees from Houston-area locations into The Woodlands for work, which mobility planners refer to as a reverse commute. “We have more people coming into The Woodlands than we have going out, so there is increased demand for a reverse commute,” Tough said.

In addition to changes to the transit system, The Woodlands Road Utility District No. 1 is planning several lane improvements designed to enhance mobility throughout Town Center.

Robert Heineman, vice president of planning for the Development Company, said the most significant transportation project in the works is an overpass at Lake Woodlands Drive and Grogan’s Mill Road. Heineman said plans are being designed now for the project, and lane improvements at the intersection are underway.

Two other major transportation projects are expected to wrap up in the early part of the year: the long-delayed widening of Woodlands Parkway, and the Hwy. 242 direct connector project.
The Texas Department of Transportation expects the third westbound lane of Woodlands Parkway, between Grogan’s Mill Road and East Panther Creek Drive, to open by Jan. 23. Construction on the two direct connectors at Hwy. 242 and I-45 is expected to be complete in the first quarter of the year, according to PTP Transportation, the company managing the project.
Residential development

Tim Welbes, co-president of The Woodlands Development Company, said real estate market factors, such as lowered interest rates, could positively affect the housing market in The Woodlands. For example, Welbes said buyers who were previously unable to buy homes and who are now living in apartments may find it easier to buy a home in 2015.

“We’re so accustomed to seeing an overheated market that when we get back to a normal market, people will say it has slowed,” he said.  Welbes said The Woodlands has seen a recent increase in interest from employees of ExxonMobil, particularly in November and December. While The Woodlands is in the midst of completing its final residential village, Creekside Park, Welbes said there remains about 1,600 to 2,000 homes still to be built. 

The Development Company is also considering the development of a high-rise condominium on Waterway Square, adjacent to The Westin, The Woodlands hotel that is under construction.
Sutton said the Development Company is studying the feasibility of the condo tower and has seen strong interest from potential buyers.
“I would like to see something get going on that this year, but I don’t know that it will,” he said. “We’re not going to get ahead of the market.”


DJ & Elizabeth Arsenault | 281-989-6934 | Info@TexanRealtor.com 
www.TexanRealtor.com

Source: Brian Walzel Impact News
 

2015 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Entertainment Lineup

Concert Lineup

March 3 Eric Church
March 4 Hunter Hayes
March 5 Miranda Lambert
March 6 John Legend
March 7 Alan Jackson
March 8 Fall Out Boy
March 9 Justin Moore
March 10 Tim McGraw
March 11 Brantley Gilbert

March 12 Zac Brown Band
March 13 Pitbull
March 14 Billy Currington
March 15 La Arrolladora Banda El Limn
& La Maquinaria Nortea
March 16 Dierks Bentley
March 17 Ariana Grande
March 18 Florida Georgia Line
March 19 Blake Shelton
March 20 The Band Perry
March 21 Brad Paisley
March 22 Luke Bryan

Tickets will go on sale Saturday, January 17, at 10 a.m., through AXS Ticketing via rodeohouston.com. The Virtual Waiting Room opens at 9 a.m. on Saturday, but fans can register any time ataxs.com/rodeohouston_signup.

 

Individual rodeo ticket prices range from $18 to $21, plus applicable fees (a few performances may have a limited number of tickets available from $24 to $86).

Upper level Value Wednesday tickets are $10.

Individual Rodeo tickets can be purchased in the following ways…

Online at rodeohouston.com or axs.com/rodeohouston; Register for a MyAXS account to help speed up the online purchase process at axs.com/rodeohouston_signup. The Virtual Waiting Room will open at 9 a.m., an hour before the sale begins. The early admission into the Waiting Room will speed up the ticketing process by allowing customers to log in to their account and enter payment information in preparation for the sale.

Beginning at 10 a.m., customers who entered the Waiting Room between 9:00 and 9:59 a.m. are randomly selected to enter the "store." Those entering after 10 a.m. are placed behind those already in the Waiting Room.

Each performance is purchased as a separate order. To another performance, the customer will return to the Waiting Room. Please note: a place in the Waiting Room does not guarantee ticket availability.

A 10-ticket purchase limit is set for all 20 performances through the first day of public sales, Saturday, Jan. 17, 2015.

SEASON TICKETS ARE STILL AVAILABLE (Loge and Upper Level)

Season ticket options start as low as $336, plus handling.
Season tickets are available online at rodeohouston.com/Tickets/SeasonTickets; or call the Rodeo Ticket Office at 832-667-1080.


DJ & Elizabeth Arsenault 281-989-6934 | Info@TexanRealtor.com | www.TexanRealtor.com



Source: Woodlands Online

29th Annual Taste of the Town

29th Annual Taste of the Town - January 29th THE WOODLANDS, Texas - The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce's 29th Annual Taste of the Town presented by Buckalew Chevrolet, LP and The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau will be held on Thursday, January 29, 2015 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center. Taste of the Town is the premier culinary event of South Montgomery County. For one low price attendees can sample mouth-watering appetizers, entrees, desserts, pastries, and beverages from some of the area's finest restaurants, caterers, bakeries, deli's and beverage companies.   “Taste of the Town is a highly anticipated event every year that brings our community together and Buckalew Chevrolet, LP is thrilled to be one of the Presenting Underwriters this year. As a family owned and operated car dealer in Montgomery County for over the last 49 years, where the community is, is where we want to be” said Barry Millenson, General Sales Manager of Buckalew Chevrolet, LP. A new addition to the 2015 event is a Raffle. Attendees can purchase raffle tickets to win prizes such as a private wine tasting for 20 from Bernhardt Winery; Two tickets, VIP Club passes & parking pass to a Live Nation Concert for the 2015 Season at The Pavilion; a wine cooler filled with various wines from The Blair Law Firm, P.C.; a Flat screen TV from Consolidated Communications; a men’s Citizen Eco-Drive watch from Robichau’s Jewelry and much more! Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $20. Attendees will also be able to experience and sample Texas-grown and manufactured seasonings, salsa and other food delights courtesy of the Texas Department of Agriculture. Go Texan items will also be available for purchase the night of the event. "Our award-winning restaurants play a key role in creating the destination experience that is unique to The Woodlands. The Woodlands Convention & Visitors Bureau, which promotes the area as a weekend getaway and meetings destination, is proud to participate in Taste of the Town to celebrate the area's diverse culinary offerings which continue to attract visitors from across the region" said Nick Wolda, President of The Woodlands CVB. The funds raised from Taste of the Town help benefit various programs that the Chamber hosts such as Economic Development, Mobility, Healthcare and Education that promote the growth of South Montgomery County, its residents and businesses. General admission tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door. Ticket packages are also available. To purchase general admission & raffle tickets and review a list of sponsors and participating restaurants visit www.tasteofthetown.org For more information contact Ashley Byers, Director of Special events.

Contact Details

Name: Ashley Byers

Email:

Phone: 281 363-8110 DJ & Elizabeth Arsenault | 281-989-6934 | Info@TexanRealtor.com