NAPERVILLE, IL - Marquette Companies, a national leader in multifamily development, has broken ground on The Sylvan, a new build-to-rent (BTR) community featuring 300 single-family homes, townhomes and apartments in The Woodlands, a master-planned community of over 100,000 residents located 25 minutes from downtown Houston.
“With The Sylvan, we saw an opportunity to address a wide range of housing needs within The Woodlands and create a community with a diverse resident mix reflective of a traditional neighborhood,” said Marquette Managing Director of Development Chris Yuko. “The topography of the site, with its undulating knolls and variety of trees, is well suited to combining these different options for housing to offer something for every life stage and lifestyle.”
Part of a plan that preserves a significant number of old-growth trees, homes at The Sylvan will include 188 BTR single-family homes and townhomes and 112 apartments with attached private garages. The single-family homes will be available in three- and four-bedroom floor plans, ranging from 1,495 to 1,805 square feet, with private yards and garages. Ranging from 1,456 to 1,581 square feet, townhomes will include two- and three-bedroom floor plans with attached garages and private outdoor space. The multifamily component will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom units, ranging from 650 to 1,574 square feet, in a three-story building that complements the architecture of the single-family homes and scale of the neighborhood.
All homes will be equipped with smart home technology, such as door locks, thermostats and widespread IoT integration possibilities. Further enhancing the Sylvan’s neighborhood feel, its residents will have access to amenities including a clubhouse, pool, fitness center, cold plunge pool and spa with an infrared sauna via a series of connected walking paths.
Taking inspiration from the site’s existing topography, Marquette worked closely with design firm Kahler Slater, Montgomery County arborists and the city of Houston to create a plan that preserves the natural landscape, making it a central feature of the community. The preservation effort, which is expected to cost upwards of $1.5 million, will preserve a wide variety of trees such as white oaks, elms, pines, water oaks and other species that have lived on the site for decades or longer.
“With this site, we paid close attention to what it had to offer and were drawn to its natural surroundings and grade variations,” said Yuko. “The amount of effort to save several dozen trees within this development is significant, but we think the abundance of mature trees will attract residents to what will become a new neighborhood within The Woodlands, offering the conveniences and upgrades of a modern luxury rental home within a community that feels more established than many other recently built developments in the area.”
As a part of this effort, three live oaks that are over 100 years old were not only preserved but also will form the centerpiece of some of Sylvan’s most unique communal amenities, including special seating areas, fire pits, fountains and dining spaces with outdoor smokers. In total, more than 50 trees were saved across the property. In other cases where trees were unable to be saved, Marquette partnered with craftsmen at Helmwood – a Houston-based custom woodworking artisan firm – to harvest, process and convert the trees into furniture, bar tops and other artistic pieces for use throughout the community.
The Sylvan is Marquette’s fifth rental community in the Houston area. The firm also is currently under development on Tempo @ White Oak District, a 304-unit luxury apartment community offering views into White Oak Music Hall, one of Houston’s most popular live concert venues. Recently completed Marquette developments in the Houston area include Catalyst Houston and Forth at Navigation, as well as the acquisition and renovation of the East End Lofts.
About Marquette Companies: Based in Naperville, Ill., Marquette Companies is a multifamily development company and investment leader with a 40-year track record of success in markets across the country. The firm’s vertically integrated approach, with in-house capabilities in acquisition, construction, asset, property and construction management, enables its team to control all aspects of investments and has positioned the firm as a leading player in the multifamily investment space. Marquette Cos.’ vision is to be the top choice for living, working and investing by delivering exceptional living spaces and unparalleled customer service. For more information, visit www.marquettecompanies.com