Welcome to the world-class region.
No matter what you may think you know about Houston’s ten-county region, there’s a lot you probably don’t know, and much you’ll be surprised to learn. Yes, Houston is the largest city in Texas, but it’s not all cowboys, cactus, and cattle. Here the grass is green, landscaping is lush and the tree canopy is thick and widespread. Known as the Bayou City, the Houston metro area is crisscrossed by a number of bayous, many of them flowing into Buffalo Bayou, site of the city’s birthplace in the downtown area.
Welcome Letters
Ed Emmett, County Judge, Harris County
Jeff Moseley, President & CEO, Greater Houston Partnership
Carlos P. Bujosa, 2011 Chairman, Houston Association of Realtors
Will Holder, 2012 President, Greater Houston Builders Association
John Greer, SPHR, HRIP, President 2011-2012, HR Houston
Camden Living
Living Excellence says a lot about Camden, our apartment homes, our employees and our residents. It means unique residential environments. It means well-trained, responsive on-site employees. Camden understands the needs of their residents, and promises exemplary levels of customer service and a commitment to deliver excellence at every point of contact. With three communities in the Katy metro area, Camden has an apartment home that fits your needs and lifestyle.
Martha Turner Properties
Martha Turner Properties’ award winning team of relocation specialists will assist you in finding the perfect home and neighborhood in the greater Houston area. Call to receive our complimentary Relocation Guide. 800-927-2774, www.marthaturner.com
Community News
THE LAKEHOUSE UNVEILED FOR DEL WEBB SWEETGRASS
HOUSTON – October 21, 2011 – Del Webb, the nation’s leading brand for active adult communities, unveiled its plans for The Lakehouse at Del Webb Sweetgrass in Richmond, Texas. Construction is already underway with completion slated for late Spring 2012.
For more information about Del Webb Sweetgrass and the active adult lifestyle it fosters, visit delwebb.com/Sweetgrass or call toll free at call 877.695.9338.
GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
NAMES 2011 “HOUSTON’S BEST” AWARD WINNERS
September 30, 2011 -- Over 100 awards were presented to Houston area builders, developers, remodelers and industry professionals at the 2011 “Houston’s Best” Awards at the Intercontinental Hotel on September 24. The evening was themed “We’re Mad About Houston’s Best” after the Emmy award-winning ad agency drama, Mad Men, and showcased the accomplishments of Houston’s top tier within the homebuilding industry. Over 500 guests were on-hand to celebrate the finalists and winners.
The Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) “Houston’s Best” Awards is an annual event designed to recognize excellence within Houston’s homebuilding industry and to support their efforts. This event is directed by the GHBA Sales and Marketing Council, and numerous volunteers from GHBA member companies.
This year’s Houston’s Best award recipients were chosen by a panel of premier industry professionals from around the country. Judging criteria varied according to the category, but all category winners were required to be active members of the GHBA in good standing, and to have shown commitment and excellence to the homebuilding industry as a whole.
“Trendmaker was delighted to have been a part of the Houston’s Best event and thrilled with our many awards,” said Will Holder, president of Trendmaker Homes, winner of Houston’s Best for Best Developer among others. “Houston builders are among the most competitive in the nation,” Holder continued, “and we are proud of our company, employees and our Greater Houston Builders Association.”
Categories for the annual awards included Product (for Volume Builders, Custom Builders, Green Builders, Remodelers and Developers), Promotion (highlighting TV, Radio, Print, Outdoor, Direct Mail, and Special Events), and People (honoring excellence in sales, marketing, and construction supervision) plus the Grand Awards. For more information on Houston’s Best visit www.ghba.org.
The following is a complete list of the winners alphabetized by category:
Billboard of the Year - Builder
Trendmaker Homes
Billboard of the Year – Developer
Aliana Development Company for Aliana
Community Entrance of the Year – Developer
PulteGroup for Del Webb - Sweetgrass
Community of the Year
Holcomb Properties – The Falls at Imperial Oaks
Community Recreation Center of the Year - Developer
Trendmaker Development for Cross Creek Ranch
Construction Superintendent of the Year - Volume Builder
Darren Marchi with Ryland Homes
Custom Home Bath – In A Home Over $1 Million
McVaugh Custom Homes
Custom Home Bath – In A Home Under $1 Million
Morning Star Builders
Custom Home Bedroom – In A Home Over $1 Million
Allegro Builders
Custom Home Design - Under $400,000
Morning Star Builders
Custom Home Design - $400,000 To $800,000
Emerald Custom Homes of Texas
Custom Home Design - $800,000 - $1.2 Million
Blue River Custom Builders
Custom Home Design - $1.2 Million To $1.8 Million
Allegro Builders
Custom Home Design - $1.8 Million To $2.5 Million
Potomac Custom Builders
Custom Home Design - $2.5 Million+
Cyrus Homes
Custom Home Front Elevation - Under $400,000
Morning Star Builders
Custom Home Front Elevation - $400,000 To $800,000
Parker Stuckey Residential
Custom Home Front Elevation - $800,000 To $1.2 Million
Frankel Building Group
Custom Home Front Elevation - $1.2 Million To $1.8 Million
Allegro Builders
Custom Home Front Elevation - $1.8 Million To $2.5 Million
Potomac Custom Builders
Custom Home Kitchen – In A Home Over $1 Million
Allegro Builders
Custom Home Kitchen – In A Home Under $1 Million
ROC Homes Texas
Custom Home Specialty Room – In A Home Over $1 Million
JRSG Engineering & Construction
Custom Home Specialty Room – In A Home Under $1 Million
Allegro Builders
Design Center - Volume Builder
Newmark Homes Houston
Direct Mail Piece of the Year - Business to Business - Builder
Trendmaker Homes
Direct Mail Piece of the Year – Business to Business – Developer
Trendmaker Development – Cross Creek Ranch
Direct Mail Piece of the Year - Business to Consumer - Builder
Trendmaker Homes
Direct Mail Piece of the Year - Business to Consumer – Custom Builder
Avanti Custom by Trendmaker Homes
Direct Mail Piece of the Year – Business to Consumer – Developer
Trendmaker Development – Cross Creek Ranch
Direct Mail Piece of the Year - Remodeler
On Target! Marketing & Advertising for William Shaw & Associates
Event of the Year - Builder
Texas Casual Cottages by Trendmaker
Event of the Year - Developer
Howard Hughes Corporation - Bridgeland
Garden Home/Patio Home of the Year - Volume Builder
Coventry Homes
Green Building Advocate of the Year - Individual
Bruce Okruhlik with Trendmaker Homes
Green Building Single Family Project of the Year - Builder
Mealy Company Builders
Humanitarian of the Year – Individual
Melissa Guerra with Trendmaker Homes
Interactive Point-Of-Sale Experience – Developer
Trendmaker Development – Cross Creek Ranch
Internet Marketing Campaign of the Year - Associate
HoustonNewcomerGuides.com
Internet Marketing Campaign of the Year - Builder
Trendmaker Homes
Internet Marketing Campaign of the Year - Developer
Johnson Development Company - Woodforest
Landscape Design of the Year - Developer
Trendmaker Development - Cross Creek Ranch
Marketing Campaign/Promotion of the Year - Associate
Huber Engineered Woods
Marketing Campaign of the Year - Builder
Trendmaker Homes
Marketing Campaign of the Year - Developer
Aliana Development Company - Aliana
Marketing Campaign of the Year - Remodeler
Greymark Construction
Marketing Professional of the Year - Builder
Sarah Starr with Taylor Morrison
Marketing Professional of the Year - Developer
Kristi Steward with Johnson Development - Woodforest
Master-Planned Community of the Year
Trendmaker Development – Cross Creek Ranch
Model Home Park Design of the Year - Builder
Texas Casual Cottages by Trendmaker
Model Home Park Design of the Year - Developer
Newland Communities - Cinco Ranch
Mortgage Specialist of the Year
Lance Mayo with TXL Mortgage
Multi-Family Design in a Garden Apartment Community (4 Stories or Less)
Butler Brothers Construction
Outdoor Living Space – Builder
Taylor Morrison
Outdoor Living Space – Custom
Morning Star Builders
Outdoor Living Space - Remodeler
Living Improvements
Print Ad of the Year - Builder
Taylor Morrison
Print Ad of the Year - Developer
Aliana Development Company
Print Ad of the Year - Remodeler
Keechi Creek Builders
Private Residence Interior Design - Bath
By Design Interiors, Cindy Aplanalp
Private Residence Interior Design - Family Room
By Design Interiors, Cindy Aplanalp
Private Residence Interior Design – Specialty Room
JRSG Engineering & Construction
Radio Commercial of the Year – Builder
Centex Homes
Radio Commercial of the Year – Developer
Woodlands Development Company – The Woodlands
Realtor of the Year – Individual
Ken Hunter with Prudential Gary Greene
Realtor of the Year – Team
The Johnny J. Schiro IV Team with Icon Real Estate
Remodeled Bath - Under $50,000
LBJ Construction
Remodeled Bath – Over $50,000
Charanza Contracting
Remodeled Bedroom
Heritage Construction Services
Remodeled Kitchen - Under $100,000
Premier Remodeling & Construction
Remodeled Kitchen - Over $100,000
Charanza Contracting
Remodeled Specialty Room
Keechi Creek Builders
Sales and Marketing Council Board Member of the Year
Gigi Musachia with Houston Community Newspapers
Sales and Marketing Council Associate of the Year
Scott Gardner with Core Details
Sales Brochure of the Year – Associate
On Target! Marketing & Advertising
Sales Brochure of the Year - Builder
Partners in Building
Sales Brochure of the Year - Developer
Woodlands Development Company – The Woodlands
Sales Brochure of the Year - Remodeler
Greymark Construction
Sales Information Center of the Year - Developer
Trendmaker Development – Cross Creek Ranch
Sales Manager of the Year – Builder
Van Nguyen with Ryland Homes
Sales Professional of the Year - Builder
Greg Miller with Partners in Building
Showroom/Sales Center – Associate
Thorntree Slate & Marble
Signage - Developer
On Target! Marketing & Advertising for Ryko Development – Lakes of Bella Terra
Television/Video Promotion - Builder
Taylor Morrison
Television/Video Promotion - Developer
Woodlands Development Company
Town Home Product Design of the Year - Volume Builder
Chesmar Homes
Volume Builder - Bath
Partners in Building
Volume Builder - Bedroom
Ryland Homes
Volume Builder - Family Room/Great Room
Plantation Homes
Volume Builder - Kitchen
Partners in Building
Volume Builder - Specialty Room
Taylor Morrison
Volume Builder Interior Merchandising for a Model Home - Under $200,000
Texas Casual Cottages by Trendmaker
Volume Builder Interior Merchandising for a Model Home - $200,000 To $250,000
Taylor Morrison
Volume Builder Interior Merchandising for a Model Home - $250,000 To $300,000
Harwood Homes/First Texas Homes – Judy Thomas Designs
Volume Builder Interior Merchandising for a Model Home - $300,000 To $400,000
Taylor Morrison – Millennium Designs
Volume Builder Interior Merchandising for a Model Home - $400,000 To $500,000
Taylor Morrison – Millennium Designs
Volume Builder Interior Merchandising for a Model Home - Over $500,000
Partners in Building – Nu Area
Volume Builder Product Design - Under $150,000
Taylor Morrison
Volume Builder Product Design -- $150,000 To $200,000
Chesmar Homes
Volume Builder Product Design -- $200,000 To $250,000
Ryland Homes
Volume Builder Product Design -- $250,000 to $300,000
Ryland Homes
Volume Builder Product Design -- $300,000 To $400,000
Trendmaker Homes
Volume Builder Product Design -- $400,000 To $500,000
Taylor Morrison
Volume Builder Product Design -- $500,000+
Taylor Morrison
Website of the Year - Associate
The Detering Company
Website of the Year - Custom Builder
Frankel Building Group
Website of the Year - Developer
Trendmaker Development – Cross Creek Ranch
Website of the Year - Remodeler
Greymark Construction
Website of the Year - Builder
Texas Casual Cottages by Trendmaker
Whole House Renovation
Greymark Construction
Grand Awards
Houston’s Best Volume Builder - Taylor Morrison
Houston’s Best Custom Builder – Allegro Builders
Houston’s Best Remodeler - Greymark Construction
Houston’s Best Developer – Trendmaker Development
Houston’s Best Promotion – Trendmaker Homes
Bridgeland Plants 250,000 Seedlings In Community Tree Farms
Bridgeland is going green in a big way.
The master-planned community is planting more than 250,000 tree seedlings on a 1,300-acre parcel of undeveloped land as part of an ongoing tree farm operation. Eventually, nearly 700,000 trees will be planted.
The project began in 2006 and during the ensuing five years, more than 80,000 trees were planted on 507 acres. In 2013, the project will finish with its biggest effort — more than 350,000 trees planted on an additional 1,300 acres.
The year-old seedlings include a variety of trees, including loblolly pines and six species of oak trees: live oak, nuttall oaks, swamp chestnut oaks, willow oaks, laurel oaks and Monterrey oaks. Trees are moved to more developed areas of Bridgeland when caliper size exceeds four inches.
The increase in the number of seedlings planted this year is partly in response to last year’s severe drought, during which an extraordinary number of trees and other plants were lost throughout the Houston area.
“We needed to replace the 150 acres of tree seedlings planted last year because there was insufficient rainfall for the seedlings to take,” said Tricia Brasseaux, design project manager for Bridgeland.
However, Bridgeland would have increased the number of seedlings planted even without last year’s drought.
“We have had such success with the previous tree plantings that we decided to increase the acreage this year to include everything west of the Grand Parkway and south of House Hahl Road. When it’s time to develop this area many years from now, these seedlings will provide us with an existing vegetative canopy,” Brasseaux said.
Bridgeland has often been awarded for excellence in development and most recently won a Community of the Year Silver Award from the National Association of Home Builders in The Nationals’ 2011 competition and was named Developer of the Year in the Texas Association of Builders’ 2011 Star Awards for a second consecutive win. Bridgeland also was named Master-Planned Community of the Year during The Nationals’ 2009 Gold Awards, topping both national and international entrants, and is a finalist in the 2012 competition, whose winners will be announced next month.
For more information, visit www.bridgeland.com.
About Bridgeland: The Bridgeland community is a development of the Howard Hughes Corporation, which owns, manages and develops commercial, residential and mixed-use real estate throughout the United States, including Las Vegas, Manhattan and Honolulu. As owner of Bridgeland and The Woodlands, the Howard Hughes Corporation is one of the largest master-planned community developers in the Houston area.
