Meristem Starts 800-Home “Agri-Hood” Near Houston

Meristem Communities is adding to the plethora of master-planned communities in the Houston area.

The local firm started construction on Indigo, an 800-home community spanning 235 acres in Richmond, southwest of Houston, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The development, near Texas 99 and U.S. 90, has been labeled an “agri-hood” with car-free zones and a 42-acre farm. Homes will border pedestrian-only linear parks known as mews, allowing front porches to face green spaces instead of streets.

“We envision residents stepping out onto their porches and chatting with neighbors strolling by,” Meristem partner Clayton Garrett told the outlet. “We see children safely playing in front yards because garages are off private alleys in the back. The outdoor spaces are extensions of the homes and connective threads that support social interactions.”

The initial phase of development, slated for completion early next year, will encompass 261 homes constructed by builders such as Empire Communities, David Weekley Homes and Highland Homes. Floor plans will range from 939 square feet to nearly 3,000 square feet, with prices spanning from the $200,000s to over $500,000.

Indigo also plans to open a 42-acre farm for public events next month, with future offerings including crop fields, livestock pastures and educational programs. About 60 percent of the community will comprise open areas and trails, including a 25-acre lake for recreational activities like swimming and kayaking. Indigo Commons, a 12-acre mixed-use district featuring small businesses and retailers, is expected to open by early 2025.

Indigo represents a departure from traditional master-planned communities by prioritizing social interactions in its design and amenities, said Scott Snodgrass, another partner at Meristem.

Greater Houston has some of the top-selling master-planned communities in the United States. The area’s lack of zoning makes it a hub for such developments, where land-use norms can be controlled by developers and homebuilders.

—Quinn Donoghue