Bridgeland Community, Texas

Bridgeland is a planned community near Houston, Texas, built by Howard Hughes Holdings.

Bridgeland is an 11,500-acre (47 km²) master-planned community to the northwest of Houston in Harris County, between U.S. Route 290 and Interstate 10. Bisecting Bridgeland is Segment E of the Grand Parkway, a 15.2-mile thoroughfare for which construction broke ground in 2011 and opened in December 2013.

Planned for 20,000 homes and approximately 70,000 residents,[1] Bridgeland is developed by Howard Hughes Holdings Inc., which also develops The Woodlands and The Woodlands Hills award-winning master planned communities in the Greater Houston area; Seaport District in New York City; Downtown Columbia in Maryland; Summerlin in Las Vegas; Ward Village in Honolulu, Hawai’i; and Teravalis in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona, area. Bridgeland was named Community of the Year in 2009 by the National Association of Homebuilders]; Developer of the Year in 2011 and 2015 by the Texas Association of Builders; Community of the year in 2013 and 2020 by the Greater Houston Builders Association . In 2019, Bridgeland was named the best-selling master planned community (MPC) in Houston by Metro Study[36], now named Zonda; and in 2019 and 2021, was named the #1 best-selling community in Texas, by RCLCO. Since its inception, Bridgeland has received numerous awards including those for sustainability, LEED, and landscaping.

Best known for its abundance of one-of-a-kind amenities and green space, Bridgeland offers residents opportunities for outdoor engagement, while building to restore, revive and protect the natural surroundings by using sustainable practices for conservation.

History

Bridgeland is located along the eastern boundary of the Katy Prairie and traversed by a portion of the Cypress Creek riparian corridor. In the mid-1800s, European settlers began to establish small farms within the Katy Prairie, growing corn, potatoes and cotton and raising cattle. The land primarily became used for rice farming during the 1940s and through the next two decades. After rice production ceased, the fields were converted to improved pastures to provide foraging areas for cattle. Approximately 10,167 acres were purchased for development in 2003 and sales of new homes in Bridgeland began in 2006. An addition of 1,234 acres acquired in 2007 increased the development's total acreage to 11,401 acres.

In the mid-1800s, European settlers began to establish small farms within the Katy Prairie and where Bridgeland now sits, growing corn, potatoes, cotton and raising cattle. During the 1940s, and through the next two decades, the land was primarily used for rice farming. After rice production ceased, the fields were converted to improved pastures to provide foraging areas for cattle.[4] Approximately 10,167 acres were purchased for development in 2003 and sales of new homes in Bridgeland began in 2006. In 2007 General Growth Properties (GGP) purchased an additional 1,234 acres of land from the Texas General Land Office. Over the course of development, additional parcels of land were acquired bringing the community’s total acreage to 11,500. In 2009 during the economic downturn, GGP filed for bankruptcy but did not include its master planned communities of The Woodlands and Bridgeland in that filing. The Howard Hughes Corporation was spun off from GGP and in 2011 acquired majority interest in both development projects, which it now manages, as well as others in its portfolio.

Geography

Bridgeland consists of 11,500 acres of mostly flat to gently rolling terrain in northwest Harris County. It is located on and along the eastern margins of the Katy Prairie spanning two watersheds. The property's northern boundary abuts the Cypress Creek corridor and to the south, Langham Creek. Other existing natural and constructed features of note include Mallard Lake and Ramey Lake, Longenbaugh Pond and the K-150 Canal now known as Josey Lake. The developer follows a detailed conservation plan to help protect during flood events, preserve resources during drought, and restore the area's natural features, many of which are being incorporated into the community's amenity plan.

Education

Students living in Bridgeland's Lakeland Village and those in Parkland Village attend schools in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District (CFISD).[5] Children living in Prairieland and Creekland Villages will be zoned to Waller ISD with a small section of Prairieland Village zoned to both Cy-Fair ISD and Katy ISD.

Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District

• Margie Sue Pope Elementary School, Jim and Pam Wells Elementary School, and Sue McMichael McGown Elementary School
• Sprague Middle School
• Bridgeland High School

Pope Elementary School is in The Cove subdivision. In 2012 construction started on Elementary No. 53, located on a 14.5-acre parcel of land in Bridgeland. In November 2012 the CFISD board approved the final name of the school as Margie Sue Pope Elementary School; it was named after a longtime CFISD teacher. VLK Architects designed the school, which was built by Gamma Construction Co. Pope Elementary, with a cost of $14.6 million, was the first on-site school in Bridgeland. The Bridgeland organization donated 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) to CFISD so the school could be built; the school occupies 16.3 acres (6.6 ha), and the school building has 112,594 square feet (10,460.3 m²) of space. It opened in August 2013, it is the first of nine on-site schools planned. Bridgeland's master plan also includes on-site preschools and childcare facilities.

Jim and Pam Wells Elementary School, another elementary school in Bridgeland, was scheduled to open in 2017. It was previously Elementary School #55, and is located on a 128-acre (52 ha) plot of land which will house other schools. Jim and Pam Wells were also longtime CFISD teachers and employees.

Waller Independent School District

• Robert Roads Elementary
• Waller Junior High
• Waller High School

Colleges

• Lone Star College

Histories of schools

In the beginning residents were zoned to Robison Elementary School, Spillane Middle School, and Cypress Woods High School.

Residents were at one point rezoned to Warner Elementary School, and Cypress Ranch High School. In 2017 the entire development was to be rezoned to Bridgeland High School.

Other school districts

Future phases of Bridgeland will be served by Katy Independent School District and the Waller Independent School District.

Villages

Bridgeland's master plan consists of four distinct villages: Lakeland Village, Creekland Village, Prairieland Village and Parkland Village. Each village will have clusters of neighborhoods anchored by a village center with amenities, retail, restaurants and more. Schools and parks also will be strategically located within each village.

Central to all villages will be Bridgeland Town Center, offering residents a convenient place to shop, work and have fun. The town center may include hospitals, schools, retail, entertainment, employment and more.

Lakeland Village

Originally designed by The Rouse Company, the first residential village is located in the northeast quadrant of the community with more than 3,400 homes and is divided into seven sections featuring a lake encircled by the walking trails, many with pedestrian only bridges. Parks and green space are one-quarter mile or less from every home and are connected by the vast trail system. Landscaping leans toward the traditional and manicured while retaining Texas native plants and includes tall, towering oaks and pines.

Lakeland Village consists of the following sections (neighborhoods):

• The Shores: The Shores is located approximately two miles west of Bridgeland's main entry on North Bridgeland Lake Parkway at Fry Road. It was the first community of new homes to be offered in Bridgeland and is slated for just under 600 homes. Surrounded by more than 100 acres of lakes, The Shores is located across the street from Oak Meadow Park and Cypress Creek Trail. House-Hahl Trail also runs through the neighborhood. Several playgrounds also are located within The Shores.
• First Bend: First Bend is located off North Bridgeland Lake Parkway approximately 1.5 miles from Bridgeland's main entry. The community welcomed its first residents in May 2007. First Bend has 402 homesites in six separate neighborhoods and is surrounded by more than 60 acres of lakes. The community also is home to Turtle Lane and Butterfly Garden.
• The Cove: The Cove is located just west of The Shores along North Bridgeland Lake Parkway. It is also home to a Cy-Fair ISD elementary school Margie Sue Pope Elementary School. The Cove also features areas that are unique within Bridgeland's master plan, including an aromatic garden, an island park, a formal rose garden and a lakeside maze. A central park area offers one of several open play fields, a playground with equipment for toddlers and older children and a rain garden with butterfly houses. Bordering the park is an extension of the House-Hahl Trail, with several reforestation-planting beds to enhance the area's landscape. Bridgeland's model home park also is located in The Cove.
• Water Haven: Water Haven is located just west of The Cove along North Bridgeland Lake Parkway. Development of the community started in 2010. Water Haven devotes approximately 22 acres to parks, most of which will offer playground equipment. The House-Hahl Trail also weaves through Water Haven.
• Lakeland Heights: Lakeland Heights is located on Fry Road just south of Bridgeland's main entrance. It was introduced in 2010 as a Traditional Neighborhood Development. In designing Lakeland Heights, architectural firm Looney Ricks Kiss extensively researched traditional Houston neighborhoods, including West University Place, The Heights, Southampton and Southside Place, for architectural inspiration. The result is an unincorporated community that incorporates Craftsman, English Tudor, Classical and French housing styles to create neighborhoods that appear to have evolved over time. The community is planned for 350 homes and will also include Lakeland Heights Village Center, which will be home to retail, restaurants and services. Lakeland Heights is adjacent to Lakeland Activity Center and has several public spaces, including Central Park, Rabbit Run, Waterway Park and Festival Park, which offers a performance pavilion for community concerts and other productions.
• Hidden Creek: Construction in Hidden Creek began in the summer of 2015. Hidden Creek is located west of Lakeland Heights and south of The Cove. This new community will host 1,000 home sites, a 20-acre park, and 142 acres of lakes upon completion. Each neighborhood in Hidden Creek has been named after one of Texas’ noteworthy creek systems. Additionally, the street names complement a variety of historical and geographical facets of the respective creeks.

Parkland Village

The Overall concept and theme of Parkland Village is based on the idea of living within a park. All neighborhoods have been named after Texas State Parks and the street names are representative of historical information, points of interest, flora and fauna found within these parks. The Grand Opening of the Model Home Park was held March 24, 2018. This section will ultimately consist of 3,100 homes with prices ranging from $240,000 to $1 million plus. Nearing buildout, this section will ultimately consist of 3,100 homes with a variety of price ranges. Situated in the southeast corner of Bridgeland, Parkland Village consists of nearly 20 different themed play parks and 36 neighborhoods.

Parkland Village consists of the following sections with more to be added as the development grows:

• Cedar Hill
• Cleburne
• Cooper Lake
• Enchanted Rock
• Honey Creek
• Kickapoo Cavern
• Longhorn Cavern
• Lost Maples
• McKinney Falls
• Meridian
• Mission Tejas
• Monument Hill
• Seminole Canyon
• Sheldon Lake
• Colorado Bend

Prairieland Village

Bridgeland’s third village, situated west of Grand Parkway in the southwest quadrant of the community, Prairieland Village celebrated its grand opening May 14, 2022. By using sustainable methods for drought protection, flood mitigation, and careful consideration of landscaping, the village concept supports ecosystems that live on the prairie. Common spaces, public works of art, and types of materials used showcase the theme of Painted by Nature. Prairieland Village will have approximately 7,000 single-family homes, and two Waller ISD elementary schools.

Creekland Village

The fourth and final residential village in Bridgeland began construction in June of 2021. Located in the community’s northwest quadrant and just north of Cypress Creek, the village will be home to 3,000 residents. Committed to providing residents access to nature, Creekland will dedicate 54% of its 2,300 acres to open space. The village will continue to embrace the area’s ecology and biodiversity with creeks and streambeds incorporated around homesites. Creekland will include world-class amenities, plenty of green space, shopping, schools and more. Home prices start in the $290s.

Recreation

Bridgeland’s master plan details 3,000 acres of open space, including 900 acres of lakes. Three of four planned recreation complexes are open, with one in each village: Lakeland Activity Center, Dragonfly Park and Activity Center and Longwing Landing. Activity centers offer residents opportunities for recreation including pools, fitness centers, event space, and a variety of parks, some with custom structures.

More than 250 miles of trails are planned for the community, with many miles already open, including the first phase of Cypress Creek Nature Trail, a wooded trail in the Cypress Creek corridor that has educational signage and wildlife observation areas.

Bridgeland residents can enjoy catch-and-release fishing and non-motorized boating on any of our 900-acres of community lakes and waterways. Residents have complimentary use of seasonally available canoes, kayaks, pedal boats, and other recreational items.

More than 70 parks already exist in Bridgeland, with the master plan providing a park or greenspace no more than a quarter mile from each homesite. Bridgeland's array of park amenities include a 10-acre disc golf course, park pavilions, a boat house, event lawns, a two-story birding tower, playground with a zip-line, a skate park, dog parks and two linear parks containing exercise stations.

Special Events

Bridgeland hosts several large-scale events each year attended by residents and guests from the surrounding area. Since 2008, Nature Fest has been attended by nearly 100,000. [48] Each year, proceeds have benefited several area nonprofits with the event raising approximately $110,000 for charitable organizations through 2023. Thousands of athletes have competed in the annual Cypress Triathlon, a USA Triathlon-sanctioned race that has taken place in Bridgeland annually since 2010. Additional events such as Taste of Cy-Fair, International Day of Yoga and Friday Night Bites are also hosted by Bridgeland for resident and public enjoyment.

External links

• Bridgeland