DALLAS BUSINESS JOURNAL: Frisco developer bringing new-home project to Celina

By Anna Butler

Rockhill Capital & Investments is teaming up with Taylor Morrison and Toll Brothers to bring a new-home community to North Texas.

The Ranch at Uptown Celina, located on 150 acres between F.M. 455 and future Celina Parkway, will feature 450 single-family homes expected to become available in 2024.

“People are drawn to Celina for its sense of community – and the historic downtown square is a huge part of that,” said Ryan Griffin, principal at Rockhill Capital & Investments, in a prepared statement.

The development, which will be about two miles east of the future Dallas North Tollway, will tie into Celina's downtown square by a golf-cart-friendly hike-and-bike trail. Other amenities are slated to include a pool, water feature, parks and green space.

“The Ranch at Uptown Celina will be a welcome addition to the area, and we are thrilled to be part of this new community,” said Keith Hurand, Taylor Morrison’s division president for Dallas-Fort Worth. 

“Homebuyers want master-planned communities with quality amenities in their neighborhood as well as premier home designs," he added.

Taylor Morrison, which is based in Scottsdale, Ariz., and Toll Brothers, headquartered in Pennsylvania, are set to offer homes on lots ranging in four sizes: 40’x110’; 55’x120’; 60’x120’; and 70’x120’.

Construction is already underway on the project, and grading is expected to commence in early 2023.

“We look forward to welcoming home buyers to experience the Toll Brothers lifestyle in this very special community,” said Jay Saunders, division president of Toll Brothers in Dallas. 

The Ranch at Uptown Celina is part of the broader four-community Uptown Celina district, which spans 675 acres. At full buildout, Uptown Celina will feature about 2,500 homes.

“Uptown Celina will be an extension of downtown, offering ‘backyard’ access via its trails. We are excited to advance this project alongside talented builder partners, Taylor Morrison and Toll Brothers, starting with The Ranch at Uptown Celina,” said Griffin.

Rockhill announced its combination with Horizon Capital Partners in November, a move set to help target a wider range of real estate investments and strengthen development activity.

While Rockhill historically focused its expertise on residential development – from land acquisition and development to entitlement and infrastructure construction – Horizon’s expertise hinged on the procurement of financing and capital relationships for investment partners interested in more long-term opportunities. The symbiosis between the teams is expected to allow for Rockhill's folks to hone in on sourcing real estate with the added expertise of Horizon's capital know-how and relationships.

Uptown Celina isn't the only thing in the works for Rockhill.

The firm is in-progress with several residential communities, including Heritage Ranch, a mixed-use master-planned community across 440 acres in Sherman, and a 5,000-home project in New Fairview called Oliver Creek Ranch, formerly Shoop Ranch.

Story Source: Dallas Business Journal