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Houston No. 1 in U.S. for home sales in master-planned communities, says survey

Buyers are flocking to Bridgeland in Cypress.

Photo courtesy of Howard Hughes Corp.

By one measure, the Houston metro area reigns as the master of master-planned communities.

According to a survey by real estate consulting firm RCLCO, one-fifth of the country’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities last year are in the Houston metro area. In that category, Houston ranks first among all of the metro areas represented on the list.

Collectively, the 10 Houston-area communities in the top 50 sold 5,773 homes in 2021, according to RCLCO’s data.

“The boom in work-from-home demand drove record master-planned community sales in 2021,” according to John Burns Real Estate Consulting.

Gregg Logan, managing director of RCLCO, says the survey results indicate demand for new single-family homes in master-planned communities remains high, “with favorable demographic tailwinds suggesting this strong demand will continue in 2022.”

However, lingering supply chain woes and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have hampered the ability of master-planned communities to capitalize on that demand, Logan adds.

“As these challenges are resolved in the coming months, we are optimistic for the success of master-planned communities in 2022,” he says.

In terms of the success of communities in the Houston area last year, Howard Hughes Corp.’s Bridgeland development in Cypress tops the list. According to the survey, Bridgeland sold 713 new homes last year, down 18 percent from 2020. The 713-home tally puts Bridgeland at No. 16 nationally for the most sales at master-planned communities last year.

The top-ranked master-planned community in Texas is Hunt Communities’ Mission Ridge development in El Paso. Last year, the community sold 811 new homes, good enough for a No. 10 ranking in the U.S. The sales figure for 2020 wasn’t available.

Here are the nine other Houston-area communities in the top 50. The national ranking is followed by the community’s name, location, developer, number of home sales in 2021, and rise or fall in sales compared with 2020.

No. 17, Tamarron, Katy, D.R. Horton, 707, up 14 percent.
No. 18, Balmoral, Houston, Land Tejas, 704, down 16 percent.
No. 25, Sienna, Missouri City, Johnson Development and Toll Brothers, 646, down 16 percent.
No. 32, Sierra Vista/Sterling Lakes, Arcola, Land Tejas, 579, up 22 percent.
No. 33, Breckenridge Forest, Spring, D.R. Horton, 578 (2020 data unavailable).
No. 45 (tie), Meridiana, Rosharon, Rise Communities, 467, up 19 percent.
No. 45 (tie), Woodforest, Montgomery, 467, up 21 percent.
No. 48 (tie), Cross Creek Ranch, Fulshear, Johnson Development, 456, down 11 percent
No. 48 (tie), Elyson, Katy, Brookfield Properties, 456, down 8 percent.

Here’s how other major metros in Texas fared in the national ranking of 2021 home sales at master-planned communities.

No. 22, Magnolia Point, Royse City, D.R. Horton, 660 (2020 data unavailable).
No. 38, Santa Rita Ranch, Liberty Hill, Mariner Real Estate Development, 515, down 20 percent.
No. 40, Sunfield, Buda, Scarborough Lane, 504, down 15 percent.
No. 41, Pecan Square, Northlake, Hillwood Communities, 502, down 1 percent.
No. 42, Valley Ranch, San Antonio, D.R. Horton, 498, down 5 percent.
No. 43, Heartland, Heartland (near Forney), Huffines Communities, 482 (2020 data unavailable).
No. 47, Union Park, Little Elm, Hillwood Communities, 460, down 24 percent.

Where to Live Now

Houston high-rise's 2-story penthouse hits the market at $11 million

Photo by Harry Stonhill

Penthouse 2502 at The Belfiore spans the top two stories of the high rise.

For those looking to move on up to a deluxe penthouse in the sky — the new $11 million listing at 1275 S. Post Oak Lane, Unit 2502 hits the right note.

At nearly 9,000 square feet, Penthouse 2502 at The Belfiore spans the top two floors of the 26-story high rise.

"The team that created Penthouse 2502 offers Houston something exceptionally rare: a brand-new, never-occupied, two-story residence with custom-caliber design atop an established luxury tower," said Justin Dugat of Douglas Elliman, co-listing agent with Misty Meredith, in a statement.

The penthouse underwent a full build-out in the past seven months under the guidance of Jeffrey Fawaz and Mike Elaridi of Fratelli Companies with Ghandi Saad and Salim Obeid of RSG Development Group.

“From the beginning, we saw the opportunity to create something truly elevated; not just in design, but in experience,” Fawaz said. “Every detail was approached with intention, and the result is a space that reflects both luxury and functionality in a seamless way.”

$\u200bPenthouse 2502 at The Belfiore$

Photo by Harry Stonhill

Penthouse 2502 at The Belfiore spans the top two stories of the high rise.

What was once a blank concrete shell is now an 8,689-square-foot home with five bedrooms, including two primaries and a dedicated 680-square-foot dressing room, along with three full and three half bathrooms.

The home’s two floors are connected via both an interior lift and a floating staircase that serves as a sculptural centerpiece. Multiple entertaining spaces include a media room, office, wet bar, massage room, and a wine cellar.

The views are a luxury of their own, with floor-to-ceiling windows and two corner terraces offering panoramas of the east, west, and south.

The list of elevated features is extensive, including an automated designer lighting system by Lutron and appliances from La Cornue and Gaggenau. Venetian plaster, Italian marble countertops, European cabinetry, and custom white oak herringbone flooring throughout highlight the attention to craftsmanship.

The Belfiore’s amenities add to the penthouse’s appeal, with a 24-hour concierge and valet, swimming pool, athletic club, private dog park, and — perhaps most enticing in Houston — industrial generators. The perks come with a hefty monthly maintenance fee of $11,157.

The 45-residence building, completed in 2016, was originally developed by Giorgio Borlenghi of The Interfin Companies alongside McNair Interests, the investment entity of late Texans owner Bob McNair.

“Houston’s luxury high-rise condo market is gaining momentum, driven by demand for a lock-and-leave, full-service lifestyle,” Dugat said. “As more wealth flows into the city, buyers are prioritizing efficiency, design, and the ability to spend more time living and less time managing a traditional home.”

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