The once-sleepy town of Anna is getting a major wake-up call. On March 24, 2026, Sherley Farms officially broke ground, launching a $1.5 billion master-planned community that will bring roughly 3,000 homes and a working farm to one of North Texas’ fast-growing cities.
Prosper-based developer Tellus Group acquired approximately 970 acres in Anna in early 2025. The land purchase, finalized in late December 2024, set the stage for one of the largest residential developments ever planned in the city. Lots are expected to be ready by late 2026, with the first model homes opening in spring 2027.
“Sherley Farms reflects our belief that the future of community development is rooted in wellness, connection and a deep respect for the land,” said Craig Martin, chief executive officer and founding partner of Tellus Group. “We are designing this community with intention, where access to nature, walkability and fresh food are part of daily life. This is about creating a place that supports how people want to live today and for generations to come.”
Preparing For Rapid Growth
Located just east of Highway 5, the community is a prime example of the growth reshaping Anna. Once considered a quiet outpost along the U.S. 75 corridor, the city has seen a steady influx of new residents as housing demand pushes northward across Collin County.
Local population projections illustrate the pace of change. Anna’s population, estimated at about 20,000 in 2021, is expected to more than double to roughly 45,000 residents by 2030.
City leaders have spent the past several years preparing for expansion at this scale. Investments in roadways, sewer capacity and other infrastructure improvements are underway to support continued development across Anna. Officials have also streamlined the permitting process, reducing approval timelines from weeks to just days in order to keep pace with demand and attract large-scale projects like Sherley Farms. And development activity is already accelerating.
Photo: City of Anna
In a social media post announcing the groundbreaking, the city of Anna described the project as a defining step in the city’s evolution.
“This transformative, master-planned community will bring new opportunities, thoughtful growth and a unique focus on wellness and connection to our city,” the city said. “With plans for homes, expansive green space and even a working farm, Sherley Farms represents a bright future for Anna.”
A Farm At The Center Of The Neighborhood
Unlike traditional subdivisions, Sherley Farms is being designed around agriculture and open space. Plans call for expansive green areas organized around a central green corridor, with a 65-acre working organic farm serving as the heart of the community.
The agricultural component is intended to do more than provide scenery. Developers envision programming centered on wellness, outdoor activity and community engagement, connecting residents more directly with food production and nature.
Extensive trail systems will link neighborhoods throughout the development while also connecting residents to downtown Anna and nearby amenities, reinforcing walkability and access beyond the community itself.
“We wanted to create a community that functions differently,” said Andre Ferrari, chief operating officer of Tellus Group. “The farm, the trails and the walkable spaces are the framework that changes how people experience the neighborhood day to day and creates long-term value for residents and the city.”
A New Chapter For A Growing City
As North Texas growth continues to move north along major transportation corridors, Anna is quickly transitioning from small town to regional growth center.
With construction now underway, the project marks the beginning of a multi-year buildout that will reshape not only a stretch of land east of Highway 5, but potentially the identity of Anna itself as it enters its next phase of growth.
Don’t miss anything Local. Sign up for our free newsletter.