Dallas-Fort Worth-based developer Hillwood broke ground on the first phase of Landmark, a 3,200-acre master-planned community, in November. The $10 billion development will feature more than 6,000 single-family homes, 3,000 multifamily units and 1,000 acres of park space over the course of its 40-year build-out, according to previous reporting.
What’s happening
Landmark will also have about 900 acres of commercial space, with a new H-E-B grocery store to anchor a 45-acre retail center.
“With Landmark, we are looking decades down the road,” Denton Mayor Gerard Hudspeth said. “Putting roadway infrastructure … and green spaces in place is an important step before residents move in.”
The first phase includes about 750 single-family homes, and design plans and engineering plans for the second phase are with city officials for review, said Charlie Rosendahl, the city’s interim director of development services. Officials expect that part of the development to break ground by the end of 2026.
Vice President of Hillwood Communities Andrew Pieper said the population is growing along both I-35W and US 380 toward Denton, driving the need for more homes. Single-family home prices will range from about $400,000 to $1 million. While most of the houses in Denton are priced lower, they are older, Pieper said.
By the numbers
At a Feb. 3 City Council meeting, Denton Chief Financial Officer Matt Hamilton said that after Landmark’s first phase is complete, the city will receive about $2.5 million annually in property tax revenue from that portion of the development starting in December 2027.
Rosendahl said a fiscal impact study was completed with the initial development agreements that estimated Denton would receive $85 million per year in revenue, once built out, that will go to the city’s general fund.
“Developments like Landmark often expand the overall economic pie by attracting new residents, visitors and investment to the city as a whole,” Denton Chamber of Commerce President Erin Carney said.
Zooming in
City data shows that Denton land zoned for single-family use is roughly 48.6% developed. Residential land zoned for multifamily use is nearly built out at 96%, Rosendahl said.
A transportation study was also completed in 2020 to analyze the increase in traffic from the development. Rosendahl said a plan was created based on the expected increase in traffic. While there wasn’t a specific result from the study, coordination between Denton, Denton County and Hillwood is underway to phase out the timing of these improvements to accommodate the projected increased traffic, Rosendahl said.
“By prioritizing mobility and preservation from the start, we’re building more than a neighbor hood; we’re creating a lasting community where Denton residents and businesses can thrive,” Hudspeth said.
How we got here1987: Land owned by Perot family is acquired by Hillwood1999-2001: Denton annexes the propertyNovember 2008: Denton rezones and establishes the Hunter Ranch master-planned communityApril 2020: Master-planned community was rezoned for Landmark2021: Hillwood begins planning LandmarkMay 2023: Denton ISD bond election passes, allowing district to purchase about 60 acresMid-2024: plans announced and approved by the city to build LandmarkSeptember 2024: construction begins on first phaseEarly fall 2025: H-E-B breaks groundNovember 2025: Hillwood holds Phase 1 groundbreaking ceremonySpring 2026: 747 model homes from Phase 1 expected to be completeEnd of 2026: part of second phase to break ground2027: H-E-B anchoring 600 apartments expected to be completedLooking ahead
Landmark will have three new Denton ISD schools on-site: two elementary and one middle school, its website states. DISD acquired 63 acres of land on two sites that are included on the property as part of the 2023 bond package, DISD Communications Director Nick Petito said.
New schools are dependent on future bond elections. Petito said there are no new school construction bonds planned. Students who will live in Landmark are currently zoned for E.P. Rayzor Elementary School, Harpool Middle School and Guyer High School. The developer is coordinating with DISD to determine the exact location of the new schools, Rosendahl said.
