Master-planned communities are gaining steam with their office, dining, shopping, entertainment and cultural offerings as well as green spaces. These areas flourish independently from congested central business districts and traditional downtown areas.

One township that's been self-sustaining and rapidly expanding for decades is The Woodlands, a 28.5K-acre master-planned community just 27 miles north of downtown Houston featuring a growing population of more than 123,000 residents.

The Woodlands started as an idea from George P. Mitchell, real estate developer and founder of Mitchell Energy & Development Corp. in the late 1960s. It has now grown into a thriving community celebrating its 50th anniversary, showing no signs of slowing down as it sets a precedent for the next generation thanks to its strong economy and vibrant culture.

When Mitchell opened The Woodlands in 1974, he envisioned an all-encompassing, integrated community where residents could live, work, play, learn, heal and pray in a natural forested and preserved environment, said Jim Carman, president of the Houston region of Howard Hughes.

“With many businesses moving out of central business districts, The Woodlands is flourishing because it provides a business-friendly environment and a high quality of life where companies are looking to relocate,” he said.

Companies are drawn to this area because they are looking for a convenient location for employees, a walkable environment near restaurants and entertainment, and shorter commute times, Carman said.

He added that businesses are also looking for office spaces with health and wellness amenities and collaborative workspaces to elevate the employee experience.

“While office leasing is down across the country, our office portfolio in The Woodlands is thriving as we are 92% leased and continue to attract new companies to our community,” Carman said. “In comparison, the Greater Houston area has an average 26% vacancy rate.”

The Woodlands is prospering, ranking as the No.1 community to live by Niche in 2021 and 2022. Carman credited that to its continued evolution as a community and its ability to meet market demands.

While The Woodlands is right outside of Houston, it has a distinct and natural quality that separates itself from the energy capital of the world, Carman said.

“Although we’re a hub with modern living, we still have an unprecedented 9,890 acres of our community permanently dedicated to open, green space,” he said. “We have 220 miles of connected hike and bike trails, and 151 neighborhood parks, where every home is within a 10-minute walk from a park.”

Another advantage is that The Woodlands has a major business and medical hub, with six hospitals, including MD Anderson Cancer Center and Texas Children’s Center, Carman said. This is bolstered by its educated workforce and booming job market, resulting in more than 1.5 jobs available per household, he said.

Howard Hughes plans to bring The Woodlands' already established 50-year legacy into the future by not only building on its self-sustainable community and strong office market but also collaborating with marquee brands, Carman said.

An example is The Ritz-Carlton, which partnered with Howard Hughes in 2023 to develop its first standalone branded residencies in Texas.

The Ritz-Carlton was a great match for Howard Hughes because it shared a similar philosophy of paying careful attention to design while creating unique living experiences “unparalleled to Houston’s real estate market,” Carman said.

The 111-unit development on the premier shoreline of Lake Woodlands features spacious residences that provide owners with access to quality amenities, a variety of restaurant options, a vibrant culture and a green environment.

Carman said he is excited for the growth and cited record sales in the development's opening week in April.

“We broke sales records of over $250M in the opening week for The Ritz-Carlton Residences,” he said. “This unprecedented sales velocity showcases the high demand for rich amenities and luxurious lifestyle options in Texas’ real estate scene.”

People and businesses are choosing The Woodlands for its best-in-class amenities and quality of life, Carman said. And with office locations close to home, an urban walkable lifestyle and highly-rated schools, The Woodlands is well-positioned to continue attracting businesses to its community, he added.

“The Woodlands has already maintained significant growth and vibrancy for 50 years,” Carman said. “With nearly 2,700 employers, from local sole proprietorships to Fortune 500 companies, we will not only continue to excel as a hub for tech, business and healthcare but stay innovative for our community’s future prosperity.”

This article was produced in collaboration between The Woodlands and Studio B. Bisnow news staff was not involved in the production of this content.

Studio B is Bisnow’s in-house content and design studio. To learn more about how Studio B can help your team, reach out to studio@bisnow.com.