2009 National Sales and Marketing Award: Bridgeland, Cypress, Texas

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Photo credit: Tarick Foteh, T. Foteh Imagery, LLC, Houston

2009 National Sales and Marketing Award Gold Winner:
Bridgeland, Cypress, Texas / Best Master Planned Community of the Year
Developer: GGP-Bridgeland, Cypress, Texas
Land planners: Glatting Jackson Kercher Anglin Lopez Rinehart, Orlando, Fla.; Vernon Henry & Associates, Houston
Builders: Darling Homes, David Power Homes, David Weekley Homes, Hallmark Desing Homes, Highland Homes, Masterpiece Homes, Meritage Homes, Partners in Building, Perry Homes, Ronny Carroll Custom Homes, Tommy Bailey Custom Homes, Trendmaker Homes, Village Builders and Wilshire Homes
Ad agency: MARC USA, Dallas; Tania Oshman Public Relations, Houston
Number of units: 21,000
Price range per unit: $180,000 to $1 million
Square footage of units: 2,000 to 5,000 square feet
The goal for Bridgeland was simple but audacious: to become one of the preeminent master-planned communities in the nation. It's certain to be among the largest. When complete, the 11,000 acres of land on which Bridgeland sits will be home to an estimated 65,000 residents.
"Right now we are just targeting families with children," says Kriste Klepper, marketing director for developer GGP-Bridgeland. "Eventually we will have product that targets almost every demographic: singles, move-downs, even high-density product."
Prospective buyers will find plans in a wide range of price ranges, styles and densities, from conventional neighborhoods beginning in the $180,000s to custom home designs that cost more than $1 million.
Bridgeland's land planners conducted an extensive environmental study designed to enhance and preserve the landscape. Roadways were constructed to consider sightlines so that meandering lakes and landscaped open space welcome drivers at every turn.
The community has well defined borders, but residents will never find long stretches of fencing with homes backing to busy thoroughfares. And power lines have been buried to enhance the landscape and views of water for residents.
Bridgeland ranked in the Top 10 for closings for master-planned communities in the Houston area for the quarter ending Dec. 31, 2008, according to Metrostudy. Last year, there were 300 sales; they're hoping for 250 this year.
"Once people drive in they love it," Klepper adds. "It's not ever a hard sell."