Wildhaven Developer Bets big on Nature, Luxury in Denton

A planned luxury resort might be coming to Denton, complete with six miles of horse trails to help bring residents and visitors closer to nature.

Sarasota, Florida-based An Ki Land Development’s managing director, Logan Breen, told the Dallas Business Journal that the new resort they plan on building is intended to combine upscale homes and hotels with “authentic outdoor experiences,” with a total value between $350 and $450 million when completed.

The resort, called Wildhaven, is set to span 740 acres on the north side of Denton. 152 homes are set to be built in the resort, ranging from $1.5 million to above $3 million in price. Plans also call for a 100-key hotel, restaurants, equestrian areas, a spa and a 10-acre bass fishing pond. Noble Classic Homes has been tapped to build housing on 20 lots during the first phase of development, with around three or four other builders to be announced later, according to the outlet. Each of the planned 152 homes will have a lot that spans at least 1-acre. HKS is the design firm tasked with the resort.

The new development is highlighted by the space earmarked for nature. 400 acres of the 740 acres will be developed, and more than 300 will be preserved to allow for a more natural feel.

Breen, who is also the president of Wildhaven Lifestyle Holdings, told the publication that they’re also planning Wildhaven-branded resorts in Colorado and Florida. The Denton iteration is the first in the brand’s line, due to the sheer amount of development in the area and population growth, he said.

Denton is at the forefront of DFW’s rapidly increasing growth. Hillwood’s Landmark development is set to feature 6,000 homes, 3,000 apartments and 5 million square feet of commercial space, all sitting on 3,200 acres along I-35 West. Houston-based Johnson Development is ironing out a 3,100 acre mixed-use community that’s been planned for decades in Denton, and infrastructure work at Cole Ranch is expected to begin this summer.

— Hunter Cooke