concrete plans

Innovative 3D-printed affordable housing development rises in Houston

What’s being promoted as the world’s first large-scale affordable housing development built using 3D technology is taking shape in Houston.

Houston-based 3D construction company HiveASMBLD has teamed up with Houston-based Cole Klein Builders and the City of Houston on the Zuri Gardens project. Located near Hobby Airport on Martindale Road, the first 3D-printed home at Zuri Gardens is set to be completed in October.

“Zuri Gardens was born from the frustration of watching hardworking families get priced out of safe, resilient housing. We knew there had to be a better way — and with this project, we’re proving that there is,” says Vanessa Cole, co-founder of Cole Klein Builders. “By combining visionary design, advanced construction technology, and powerful partnerships, we’re building more than just homes — we’re creating a blueprint for the future of equitable homeownership in Houston and beyond.”

The development is being created for households earning up to 120 percent of the median income in the Houston metro area. For a four-member household in the Houston area, the 120 percent limit in 2025 is $121,300, as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The 13-acre Zuri Gardens development will feature 80 energy-efficient homes averaging 1,360 square feet. Prices will be in the mid- to high $200s. The homes will qualify for up to $125,000 in down payment assistance from the City of Houston.

HiveASMBLD will print two different home designs, each with two-bedroom and two-and-a-half bathroom configurations, along with an office/flex space and a covered patio.

“The community we envision for Zuri Gardens is modern, safe, and one that residents will be proud to call home. When completed using HiveASMBLD’s innovative technology, this 3D-printed multifamily community will exemplify the future of residential affordable living,” says Timothy Lankau, founder and co-CEO of HiveASMBLD.

Developments like Zuri Gardens are popping up around the country.

“3D-printed homes are revolutionizing the construction industry by making home builds faster, cheaper, and more sustainable,” according to The Zebra, an Austin-based insurance marketplace. “In less than 24 hours, 3D printers can print the foundation and walls for a small home at a fraction of the cost of typical construction.”

U.S. News & World Report explains that unlike a traditional home, a 3D-printed home is printed in place, “just like you’d print a knickknack on your home 3D printer. Layer by layer, proprietary concrete blends are used to build the wall systems of the home in any type of design that a builder can imagine.”

Texas is home to several trailblazing 3D-printed projects.

In the U.S., the first 3D-printed home was built in 2018 in Austin, and the first 3D-printed multistory home was completed in 2023 in Harris County’s Spring Branch neighborhood. Meanwhile, the world’s largest neighborhood of 3D-printed homes is located in the Austin suburb of Georgetown.

Grand View Research predicts the global market for 3D-printed construction will approach $4.2 billion by 2030.

Courtesy of HiveASMBLD

A rendering illustrates what a home's interior will look like.

How Sweet

Sugar Land's first new apartment complex in 13 years breaks ground

Pearl Lake Pointe luxury apartment complex Sugar Land.

Rendering Courtesy of Morgan

Pearl Lake Pointe is a 376-unit luxury apartment complex slated for early summer 2027 in Sugar Land.

Sugar Land is welcoming its first new apartment development in more than a decade. Pearl Lake Pointe, a 376-unit luxury community from developers Morgan and Carlyle, is underway at 16435 Creekbend Drive.

Construction began in November, with an official groundbreaking held this week. “The groundbreaking of Pearl Lake Pointe marks an exciting new chapter for the Lake Pointe peninsula,” Sugar Land Mayor Carol K. McCutcheon said in a statement. “After years of planning and collaboration with Morgan, this project delivers much-needed, high-quality multifamily housing and strengthens our long-term vision for a vibrant, connected district. This milestone will help drive continued reinvestment and momentum throughout Lake Pointe and across Sugar Land.”

Set across 6.46 acres, the five-story complex will feature five live-work units, a six-story parking garage, and 9,940 square feet of commercial office space. Fitness centers, a resort-inspired pool, a golf simulator, a sky lounge, and a cafe are among the planned amenities.

Inside the residences, features include open-concept floor plans, quartz countertops, stainless-steel appliances, washers and dryers, and balconies in select units.

“Pearl Lake Pointe is a unique opportunity to elevate the living experience and set a new benchmark for luxury in Sugar Land,” Kase Pappert, Morgan senior development manager, said. “We are grateful for the City’s partnership and look forward to helping re-energize the Lake Pointe peninsula with a welcoming community that feels like home and connects residents to the amenities right outside their door.”

Roughly 20 miles from downtown Houston, the site has views of Brooks Lake and is adjacent to the former Fluor corporate campus currently being transformed into the Lake Pointe Green mixed-use development.

The first Pearl Lake Pointe units are slated for delivery in early summer 2027. Morgan and Carlyle will own and manage the community, with project financing provided by Texas Capital Bank.

“With Pearl Lake Pointe, Carlyle and Morgan are redefining multifamily living and adding meaningful momentum to address the demand for high-quality housing in the Sugar Land submarket,” said Adam Buchwald, Carlyle managing director and partner. “Partnering with Morgan — an accomplished developer with a strong track record — makes this project even more exciting, and Pearl Lake Pointe is a standout addition to Carlyle’s portfolio of high-quality multifamily developments.”

construction groundbreaking apartments