Greater Houston continues to lead the way in master-planned communities, with 12 of the top 50 communities on a list compiled by RCLCO, a real estate consultant and analytics provider that annually ranks top-selling master-planned communities. Thanks to a combination of favorable land, business, employment, regulatory and tax factors, greater Houston and Texas metropolitan areas make regular appearances on the list.
M2L Associates has strong experience delivering comprehensive landscape plans and updates for master-planned communities across the region. A recent addition to M2L’s master planning portfolio is Baytown Crossings, a 520-acre community with 1,600 homesites in four distinct village neighborhoods, located approximately 25 miles east of Houston. Commercial developers and management firms like Baytown Crossings’ Friendswood Development Co. seek out master-planning partners whose deep expertise can add tremendous value over time. From thoughtful design of wide-ranging amenities to integration of conservation and sustainability features to strong, innovative branding that attracts home builders, buyers and supporting businesses, M2L Associates is adept at creating master-planned, community-centric developments across the region
Designing for amenities. Regardless of a community’s location or size, outdoor amenities are often cited at or near the top of the list of homebuyer considerations. Enjoyable spaces like parks and playgrounds, lakes, trails, schools, recreation and community centers, sports venues and courts, and pools and splashpads encourage engagement, foster connection and enhance a strong sense of place and belonging. Master-planned communities offer the space and diversity of amenities that offer home buyers a place where they can stay in touch with nature and each other. At M2L, we have the breadth and depth of experience to use a site’s natural environment to the best advantage and curate amenities for form and function.
Designing for sustainability and value. Amenities that provide master-planned communities with a competitive distinction tick off a long list of sustainability benefits. Thoughtfully planned hike and bike trails, lakes and water features, and parks, playgrounds and exercise stations, and community centers help master-planned communities attract buyers looking for a turnkey home that matches the active, outdoor lifestyles they say they want. M2L’s design and planning experts achieve these amenities within overlapping constraints to optimize water and energy conservation, tree preservation and canopy growth, crime prevention and safety, and strong community ownership.
Designing for identity. Community entrances are increasingly important, creating a critical first impression to not only to attract homeowners but also to attract the builders, real estate agents, businesses and local government services to build and sustain the new community. Gateways, entrances and streetscapes are essential to establishing the master-planned development and supporting the local community. Closer to town, established communities recognize the important of renovating, rebranding and maintenance to capture and extend the value of proximity to key employment and downtown destinations.
Expertise you can count on. From builders and developers to homeowners associations (HOAs), architects and installation partners, M2L’s deep expertise and breadth of experience designing, executing and maintaining master-planned communities brings the innovation and experience you need.
We work directly with landowners, development companies and homeowners’ associations, or with architecture, engineering or other partners to enhance a design team’s capabilities. M2L experts carry critical certifications in tree preservation and arboriculture, LEED-AP, green roofs and gardens, and crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) to give projects better outcomes. And our standing as a certified women-owned business can give you a leg up on many municipal and community-based project requirements.
See why Baytown Crossings is attracting residents to the fast-growing eastern suburbs