Emberly: Where Fun and Friendship Thrive

Forget the cliche – Emberly truly is a friendly community unlike any other. Nestled in Fort Bend County, just southwest of Houston, this sprawling 933-acre masterpiece fosters a welcoming atmosphere where lasting friendships blossom.

Imagine:

• Festive Gatherings: From cherished holiday events like Brunch with Santa to vibrant Fourth of July celebrations, Emberly brings the community together, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Your Dream Home Awaits:

• Affordability & Choice: With a diverse range of floor-plans, options, and elevations, you'll find the perfect home to suit your style and budget, with prices starting in the $200s.
• Future-Proof Living: Experience the convenience of smart home technology. Emberly homes integrate seamlessly with automation packages, featuring high-speed internet and app-controlled features for lighting, locks, and thermostats.

Unwind and Explore:

• Amenity Oasis: The future Amenity Village promises endless entertainment – a clubhouse, resort-style pool, playground, dog park, water park, pickleball courts, and a charming town square are all on the horizon.

Education Excellence:

• Award-Winning Schools: The innovative Lamar Consolidated ISD prioritizes student success with smaller class sizes and specialized sixth-grade schools. This district consistently ranks high, achieving an impressive A rating from the Texas Education Agency in 2021.

Developed by the Best:

• Starwood Land Legacy: Emberly is the vision of Starwood Land, a nationally recognized leader in residential real estate development. Since 2007, they've delivered over 90 successful communities and transformed over $2.5 billion of land into thriving neighborhoods. Partnering with the world-class Starwood Capital Group, their commitment to excellence is unparalleled.

Emberly offers more than just a place to live – it's a vibrant community where families flourish and connections are made to last.

 Find your home in Emberly HERE

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Houston Area Housing Market Booming in Suburbs with Affordable Options

A recent report by the Houston Association of Realtors (HAR) reveals a surge in home buying activity outside of Houston's city center. This trend is driven by buyers seeking more affordable housing options.

Fulshear/South Brookshire/Simonton, located over 30 miles west of downtown, witnessed the most significant growth. Home purchases in this Fort Bend County community skyrocketed by an impressive 103.6% year-over-year, claiming the top spot on HAR's "Hottest Communities" list for the third consecutive quarter in 2023. While Fulshear offers affordability, the average home price still sits at $518,943.

Crosby came in second, experiencing an 83.6% increase in home sales compared to the previous year. This area, previously ranked 25th, has seen a remarkable rise in popularity. The average home price in Crosby is significantly lower at $274,326.

The report highlights a clear trend: suburban areas with new construction are attracting the most buyers. In the top five communities, new homes accounted for at least half of all sales during the fourth quarter of 2023.

Eight out of the ten hottest communities boast average home prices below the Houston area's overall average of $412,161.

"Affordability continues to be a major draw for homebuyers seeking opportunities in suburbs and outlying areas," commented HAR Chair Thomas Mouton. "This trend reflects a growing emphasis on cost-consciousness in today's market, with buyers prioritizing their dream of homeownership while making smart financial decisions. As prices stabilize and inventory remains strong, buyers will also benefit from a wider selection of homes."

The report also explores the luxury market, where homes exceed $1 million. Westchase, situated south of Westheimer and west of Gessner, emerged as the top performer in the final quarter of 2023, with an average luxury home price of $1,095,758.

Historic Structures Are Getting New Life 

Houston used to favor demolition for old buildings, but a shift is happening! Historic structures are getting new life through adaptive reuse.

The Astrodome may be a rodeo storage unit, but it's still standing. The River Oaks Theatre dodged demolition threats. Project Row Houses has a long history of transforming homes into art.

Even more adaptive reuse projects are on the horizon:

• Sugar Land's historic Imperial Char House will become a mix of offices, stores, and restaurants.                 
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• Katy is exploring ways to turn its rice dryers into an entertainment district. One rice dryer, JV Cardiff and Sons, is already being converted into a mixed-use space with a beer garden.
• On Harrisburg Street in Houston's East End, warehouses are being renovated to create a massive "foodie playground," according to a recent Houston Chronicle article.

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Houston Embraces High-Rise Living: A Legacy and a New Chapter

Houston, a sprawling metropolis known for its love of single-family homes, is seeing a shift towards vertical living. Pelican Builders, a pioneer in this movement, is leading the charge with luxurious high-rise condos.

Pelican's Pioneering Role:

The company built Houston's first-ever residential highrise, The Woodway, in 1974. Over five decades, they've established themselves as a multifamily housing leader, developing thousands of condo units, townhomes, and apartments.

The Hawthorne: Bringing Luxury Living to Tanglewood:

Pelican recently unveiled the Hawthorne, a 17-story condo building with 67 units in Tanglewood, just a stone's throw from The Woodway. These upscale residences cater to those seeking a vibrant city lifestyle, with prices ranging from $1.5 million to $3 million.

A Market on the Rise:

Houston's condo market is still in its early stages, with sales dipping slightly in 2023. However, Pelican is confident, leveraging unsold units at The Hawthorne to refinance existing debt and projecting 75% occupancy by June.

Suburbanites Seeking City Life:

Pelican sees a growing trend of suburban residents looking to downsize from large homes and embrace the cultural offerings of Houston's inner core. These individuals are drawn to the convenience and access to arts, restaurants, and museums that high-rise living provides.

Shifting Landscape: From Patios to Penthouses:

Traditionally, downsizing Houstonians opted for "patio homes" with minimal yard maintenance. However, rising land costs make these developments less feasible for builders. High-rise condos, accommodating more residents on a smaller footprint, offer a more attractive proposition.

Houston's Future Takes Flight:

Houston is gradually evolving into a vertical city. A positive outlook for the condo market, especially considering the strong performance in the latter half of 2023.

Check out available Houston Condos For Sale

Houston's Empty Hilton to Get a $40 Million Makeover

The former Hilton Houston Galleria is getting a new lease on life! The vacant 13-story building will be transformed into a modern apartment complex thanks to a Los Angeles developer.

Why the Change?

There are two main reasons behind this shift:

• Empty Hotel: The Hilton closed its doors in 2022 and hasn't found a new tenant.
• Houston's Hot Housing Market: With many Houstonians working remotely and a growing city population, there's a high demand for apartments.

Project Details:

• Cost: The conversion will cost an estimated $40 million.
• Start Date: Construction is expected to begin in April 2024.
• Completion Date: The new apartments should be ready by September 2025.

National Trend:

Houston isn't alone in this trend. Across the country, many office buildings and hotels are being converted into apartments due to a shift in work and living patterns.

Houston's Adaptive Reuse Boom:

The lack of strict zoning laws in Houston makes it easier for developers to repurpose buildings. This "adaptive reuse" approach is not only good for business, but it can also revitalize neighborhoods and give new life to underused structures.

The Future of Houston's Skyline:

This project is just one example of how Houston's landscape is evolving. With more office-to-apartment conversions on the horizon, the city's skyline could look quite different in the coming years.

Check out available condos for sale in the Houston Galleria

Houston Downtown: A Thriving Destination

Houston's downtown is booming! A recent report reveals a surge in visitors since the pandemic. This vibrant area offers a variety of attractions, including:

• Bayou Trails: Perfect for exploring Houston's scenic waterways.
• Exciting events: From concerts and holiday celebrations to thrilling sports games featuring the World Series Champion Houston Astros (winners in both 2022 and 2017!).
• Thriving hospitality scene: The number of downtown hotel rooms is on the rise, with nearly 500 new units joining the existing 8,600. Exciting additions include:
  • The 100-room Moxy Hotel, housed in the historic State National Bank Building.
  • A dual-branded hotel project is under construction, offering a combined 275 rooms under the Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites brands. This development also boasts a street-level grocery market with a deli and coffee shop.

Business is booming as well:

• A brand new, 28-story office tower called 1550 on the Green is set to open adjacent to Discovery Green and the Hilton Americas-Houston. This project is part of a larger mixed-use development called Discovery West.
• Major law firm Norton Rose Fulbright is relocating to 1550 on the Green, leaving behind its offices at 1301 McKinney St.

Entertainment options are expanding too! Puttshack, a trendy mini-golf/bar/restaurant with a nightclub vibe, recently opened at Houston Center, bringing a fun and energetic option for young adults.

Downtown Houston is no longer just a business district – it's a vibrant destination for leisure, entertainment, and work!

Check out available Downtown Houston Condos For Sale

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