Starwood Capital Group Acquires 11 Master-Planned Communities from Hines, Expanding Footprint in Greater Houston and Beyond
Starwood Capital Group, in partnership with its affiliate Starwood Land, has acquired a portfolio of 11 master-planned communities across Texas from global real estate investment firm Hines in a deal valued at approximately $800 million. The acquisition includes over 16,000 residential lots and more than 600 acres of commercial land, with a strong emphasis on the high-growth Houston metropolitan area.
Among the communities included in the transaction are Wildrye in Waller County, Brookewater in Rosenberg, and Creekhaven in Brazoria County, three large-scale developments designed to address the rising demand for single-family housing in Greater Houston.
“This is a high-quality portfolio created by a first-class investment manager and developer, and we plan to build upon the excellent work Hines has completed to-date and bring the development vision for these communities to fruition,” said Mike Moser, CEO of Starwood Land. “We look forward to engaging with homebuilders to expand the communities' offerings.”
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Greater Houston Area Developments Acquired by Starwood Capital
Wildrye in Waller County
Wildrye, a 528-acre community located in fast-developing Waller County, was acquired by Hines in fall 2023. Strategically positioned near FM 362, close to the 587-acre Beacon Hill development by Wolff Companies and the ever-popular Buc-ee’s on the route to Brenham, Wildrye is planned to include approximately 1,400 single-family homes upon completion.
Waller County, often described as the "last frontier" of the Houston region, is undergoing a rapid urban transformation. According to the Waller County Economic Development Partnership, the area is expected to double its population within the next five to eight years, with over 24 residential subdivisions in progress and plans for more than 50,000 new homes. This boom in residential development makes Wildrye a timely and critical addition to the region’s housing stock.
Brookewater in Fort Bend County
To the south in Fort Bend County, Starwood now assumes ownership of Brookewater, a sprawling 850-acre community in Rosenberg acquired by Hines in September 2022. Brookewater is expected to deliver 2,400 single-family homes and is located just 15 minutes from a significant forthcoming African American memorial—a development anticipated to become a cultural and national landmark in the region.
Fort Bend County continues to be one of the nation's fastest-growing counties. Recent data from the Fort Bend Central Appraisal District (FBCAD) reveals a 33.8% year-over-year increase in land value, driven by population growth, housing demand, and infrastructure investments, including the expansion of Highway 99.
Mobile Sidebar Ad
Creekhaven in Brazoria County
Further southeast, Creekhaven sits on 954 acres off TX-288, south of Manvel in Brazoria County. Acquired by Hines in September 2022, this master-planned community is set to bring over 1,400 single-family homes to a region experiencing strong economic momentum.
Brazoria County is seeing accelerated growth thanks to its proximity to Houston, access to the Texas Medical Center, and economic diversification across energy, manufacturing, and logistics sectors. The Economic Development Alliance for Brazoria County notes that the area’s affordability and expanding infrastructure have made cities like Manvel and Pearland magnets for both residents and businesses.
“This investment continues Starwood Capital's strategy of acquiring well-located master-planned communities in the largest new home markets to capitalize on compelling long-term residential land fundamentals,” said Anthony Murphy, Managing Director at Starwood Capital. “It presents a rare opportunity to acquire a large portfolio of mature communities with major infrastructure substantially completed and active lot sales to over 30 homebuilders.”
A Growing Legacy in Houston Real Estate
Starwood Land is no stranger to the Houston-area market. Its existing or developing communities include Sunterra and Sunterra Lakes in Katy, Emberly in Rosenberg, Cypress Green in Tomball, Marvida in Cypress, Sierra Vista in Rosharon, and Lago Mar in Texas City. With the addition of Wildrye, Brookewater, and Creekhaven, the firm deepens its footprint in Waller, Fort Bend, and Brazoria County—three of the Houston region’s most dynamic submarkets.
Hines, which developed these communities with a slate of partners including Trez Capital, Caravel Ventures, Sumitomo Forestry America, and GMcivil, emphasized that the transaction supports its broader global strategy.
“This transaction showcases the deep investment appetite for well-located, master-planned communities that deliver much-needed housing to high-growth markets,” said Ray Lawler, Managing Partner, Head of Americas at Hines. “Single-family housing, and the living sector generally, is a high-conviction investment theme for Hines globally.”
Mobile Sidebar Ad
As Greater Houston’s population continues to rise—along with land values, infrastructure investment, and housing demand—Starwood Capital Group’s acquisition of these communities is both a strategic expansion and a signal of continued confidence in Texas’ robust real estate market.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
