Site Work Has Started on a ‘Suburban Oasis’ in McKinney Targeted for Retirees

A part of west McKinney was envisioned as a “suburban oasis on 70 acres surrounding an 11-acre spring-fed private lake” for retirees.

It’s becoming a reality.

Site work has begun on Touchmark at Emerald Lake, a 400-home community that’s expected to be completed in 2023, just in time for people around 53ish to make plans to move in.

Touchmark is a Beaverton, Oregon-based company that develops, builds, and operates full-service retirement communities. The McKinney location, which is near the southwest intersection of Virginia Parkway and Hardin Boulevard, is Touchmark’s first in Texas and first introduced in 2019. Touchmark has developed communities in nine states and Alberta, Canada.

According to a Touchmark press release, the community will offer 271 homes — 149 for independent living, six casitas (duplex residences), 84 assisted living, and 32 memory-care residences. Of the assisted living home, 32 will be studios designed for those living with physical challenges, such as Parkinson’s disease or people experiencing early cognitive impairment.

A future phase will add more residences and a health and fitness center with a pool, spa, salon, and restaurant-style dining.

The project also will include lakeside trails, event lawns and an abundance of open-air dining and entertainment venues, Touchmark CEO Marcus Breuer said in a statement.

“The lake really does provide the focal point for the design and lifestyle offerings,” Breuer said.
Touchmark bought the land from the Turrentine family, who have been active in the McKinney community for more than 70 years.

Kendra Lackey, who grew up in Plano, is president of Touchmark’s development and construction division. She works with new site selection and land use planning.

“We are grateful to the Turrentine family for preserving this expansive property with its vast green spaces and lake, and we’re honored to carry that commitment forward to future generations and create a community that enriches people’s lives,” Lackey said in a statement.

Dallas-based Andres Construction Services is the project’s general contractor with support from Three Living Architecture, StudioSIX5 as the interior designer, Kimley-Horn as the civil engineer, and Talley Associates as the landscape designer.

“Opening our first community in Texas, and this location in particular with its lake and surrounding natural beauty, presents an opportunity to build the largest and most exciting project in our 40-year history,” Breuer said.