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They're finally releasing some details on Newland's development of the former state prison tracts! http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/business/3053187 ------------------------------------------------------ Community to rise where inmates toiled Developer wants Sugar Land project to have the tree-rich charm of Savannah By NANCY SARNOFF Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle A swath of Fort Bend County land that was once farmed by hundreds of Texas prisoners is set to become Sugar Land's newest master-planned community. Newland Communities broke ground this week on the 2,018-acre development, which it says will be modeled after historic Savannah, Ga., with its landscaped neighborhood squares, shady liveoak trees, colorful gardens and fountains. The project, dubbed Telfair, is named after one of the oldest oak-lined squares in downtown Savannah. Scores of shade trees and flowerswill be planted for almost year-round displays of color, said Travis Stone, senior vice president of operations for Newland. "I think we have somewhat similar climates," Stone said. "We don't have 100-year-old oak trees with Spanish moss hanging out of them, but we're going to plant them so maybe in the future that does happen." The property is on U.S. 59 at University Boulevard just south of Texas 6. Newland purchased the former prison farmland from the state for about $37.5 million in 2003. Along with large subdivisions of single-family homes, Telfair will have a series of pedestrian-friendly "traditional neighborhood developments" that will blend a variety of housing styles with shops, restaurants and civic venues. Anchoring the development will be a 16-acre traditional neighborhood surrounding the 1939 Central State Farm prison building, a Greek Revival-style structure that served as a dormitory during the site's early farming era. Newland is studying ways to preserve the building for civic or commercial uses. The San Diego-based company's other Houston projects include Greatwood, Cinco Ranch, Seven Meadows, Grayson Lakes, Eagle Springs and Summerwood. Complete in 2011 Newland hasn't identified the builders that will be involved in the project, but it expects the first homes to be completed in the spring of 2006. If all goes as planned, Telfair will have up to 4,500 homes when it's completed in 2011. The land is surrounded by such neighborhoods as Greatwood, First Colony and New Territory. Housing analyst Mike Inselmann of Houston-based Metrostudy said Telfair's Savannah theme will help set it apart. "There are lots of communities along the highway, so differentiation is really important," he said. Recreation in mind The developer has set aside more than 400 acres for lakes, parks and recreational centers with swimming pools, tennis courts and playgrounds. Some 390 acres fronting U.S. 59 and Texas 6 have been designated for commercial uses. Stone said medical groups, grocery stores and other retailers have already expressed an interest in this development. The city of Sugar Land plans to buy 95 acres south of U.S. 59 and adjacent to the University of Houston System-Sugar Land for the Texas Energy Center, a proposed research center that will focus on clean energy and deep-water drilling. Telfair, which was annexed by Sugar Land, is in the Fort Bend Independent School District. The master plan reserves almost 100 acres for three proposed school sites, including two elementary schools and one high school campus. Another parcel on block There has been a spate of recent developments in Sugar Land. Sugar Land Town Square, a Main Street-type project has been rapidly developing,and First Colony Mall hasbeen undergoing an expan-sion. Last week, Imperial Sugar announced plans to sell its former sugar refinery site to a group wanting to develop aproject mixing condominiums, single-family homes and retail space on the 160-acreparcel. And the state plans to auction off a tract nearby that's nearly as large as Telfair. On Tuesday, the Texas General Land Office will open sealed bids for 1,942 acres of land near the Grand Parkway and the proposed extension of West Bellfort. "Sugar Land's a good address," Stone said. "I think it has gotten to a point in its maturity that it can support a lot of what's going on."

SUGAR LAND, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 7, 2005-- The urban living trend, readily found in downtown Houston, is now burgeoning in Sugar Land, Texas. Threshold Interests One, L.P. has announced that they will begin construction on two major residential projects that will introduce Sugar Land to luxury high-rise living. Pre-construction sales have begun on Lake Pointe Vista; a new luxury mid-rise residential project in Lake Pointe Town Center -- a 190-acre, urban-style village that will be located at the intersection of Highway 6 and U.S. 59 in First Colony. Additionally, Threshold Interests is planning to develop a 10-story luxury tower, the Tower Lofts located in Sugar Land Town Square. "Urban living is gaining momentum in Sugar Land, and the development of these luxury mid- and high-rise homes represents a shift in the character of the Sugar Land residential property market," said Les Newton, president of Planned Community Developers (PCD). "Lake Pointe Vista and the Tower Lofts will bring a new 'urban residential' lifestyle to Sugar Land." Lake Pointe Vista Lake Pointe Vista architectural features will include 11- to 13-foot finished ceiling heights with extensive floor-to-ceiling windows, wraparound terraces and high-end fixtures throughout. In addition, homeowners will have the ability to customize floor plans by combining units in order to create larger residences. The one-bedroom to three-bedroom units will range in size from 1,300 to 2,400 square feet and be priced from the high $200,000's to over $1 million. Lake Pointe Vista will offer homeowners incredible lakefront views from all 36 units in the 6 residential floors. Lake Pointe Vista will be located in the heart of an emerging town center in First Colony called Lake Pointe Town Center. Lake Pointe Town Center will lie between the 37-acre lake and 1.5 mile of frontage on Oyster Creek. Lake Pointe Town Center will integrate one million square feet of office space and more than 200,000 square feet of retail space, with a boardwalk and trail system that will connect residence to unique restaurants, retail shopping, and the new Lifetime Fitness Center. "We are very excited about moving into the First Colony market with our new project," said Ric D'Amico, project manager for Threshold Interests One, L.P. "Lake Pointe Town Center will provide a unique opportunity in Sugar Land, creating a new residential lifestyle within a beautiful, natural environment. The Tower Lofts at Town Square The Tower Lofts at Town Square will provide a new option for Sugar Land residents who want stylish living and premium service in a true downtown setting. Tower Lofts is being built for sale within Planned Community Developer's 32-acre Sugar Land Town Square lifestyle center that offers short walks to Cafe Express, PF Changs, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille and Baker's Street Pub & Grill, among other notable tenants. This desirable location will help target prospective residents seeking a true 24/7, live-work, urban lifestyle. This development will also capture a distinct blend of historic charm by implementing design elements of the original Imperial Sugar factory's architecture with twenty-first century amenities focusing on interior design, exquisite finishes and unparalleled horizon views. "This will be the first luxury high-rise in Sugar Land, and it represents a significant step in the growth and vitality of downtown Sugar Land," said Newton. "This project will enhance the lifestyle-center atmosphere of Sugar Land Town Square and truly integrate the concept of live, work and play, because it will be within walking distance of some of Sugar Land's finest shopping, dining and entertainment." Located near the corner of Town Center Boulevard North and Highway 6, Tower Lofts at Town Square is planned to be a 10-story tower building of approximately 50 units. These loft-style units, with individual unit sizes of 700-1300 square feet, will offer buyers the opportunity to combine units in order to create a substantially larger custom residence. In addition, homeowners will also be given the choice to tailor their traditional, transitional or contemporary home through a selection of premium finishes for flooring, countertops, cabinets and appliance packages. Each of the one to three bedroom units will boast 10- to 13-foot ceilings and panoramic views. The units will be priced beginning in the $200,000's with combination unit possibilities likely exceeding $1 million. "Tower Lofts at Town Square will provide a choice in high-rise living that is not currently available in the Sugar Land market," said Doug Crosson, president of Threshold Interests One, L.P. "We were attracted to the Sugar Land Town Square development because of the strong, overall market. We are confident that our design team's creation will be well-received by homebuyers looking for a prestigious, and yet, low-maintenance lifestyle." Construction on both projects, designed by Zeigler Cooper Architects, is scheduled to begin this summer, with first units available in summer of 2006. For further information on these two projects or on pricing and floor plans, contact the marketing team at 713-523-5638. Ziegler Cooper Architects, whose expertise includes high-end condominium projects such as Villa d'Este, and Montebello in Post Oak Uptown Park, as well as Threshold's Waterway Lofts will serve as architects on these projects. Threshold Interests One, L.P. is a real estate development company specializing in niche markets requiring individual attention and unique product knowledge, as demonstrated in the firm's recent success with the Waterway Lofts in The Woodlands, Texas, the Hermann Lofts and the Bayou Lofts condominium project downtown. The firm was established in 1991 by Douglas R. Crosson, whose real estate experience also includes the re-construction of the historic Pillot Building, Houston's second oldest commercial building. Planned Community Developers (PCD) is the developer of the 9,700-acre First Colony master-planned community in Sugar Land, Texas. In addition to overseeing the development of Lake Pointe Town Center and Sugar Land Town Square, PCD is also currently supervising the development of River's Edge, a new 370-acre community in Richmond, Texas. PCD focuses on community master planning, high-quality retail and residential development.

Jan. 27, 2005, 9:13PM Lofts move to suburbia 10-story Sugar Land project brings new dimension to area's residential landscape By NANCY SARNOFF Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Loft living began as a downtown phenomenon. But this hip housing trend is beginning to show up in suburbs many miles from the city center. ADVERTISEMENT Developers are planning a 10-story loft building in Sugar Land Town Square, a suburban real estate development designed to create an instant downtown. Houston-based Threshold Interests One, which designed a similar project in The Woodlands, is developing the Sugar Land project.

Ruth's Chris closes Sugar Land location Allison Wollam Houston Business Journal Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. has closed its Sugar Land location. Dave Cattell, Ruth's Chris vice president of real estate and construction, says despite the restaurant's best efforts, this address was not a match for the upscale steakhouse. Cattell adds that the location, at 14135 Southwest Freeway, did not prove to be the best to sustain and grow the customer base for Ruth's Chris type of dining experience. The restaurant is currently exploring potential locations throughout the Houston area, including Sugar Land, says Cattell. Employees of the Sugar Land location are being given the opportunity to apply for positions at the Ruth's Chris Steak House located at 6213 Richmond Ave., as well as other Ruth's Chris Steak House locations in Texas.

Well, if you are even in Sugarland, try Thai Cottage II, located in the Sweetwater Shopping center. The food is good, and the prices are not bad! (bring 10$, and you can get an order of something, a drink, and enough change for a good tip!)