What’s Developing: Lakeside Beach Property Becomes Selling Point in Rural Midlothian

A Dallas-based development firm is going forward with plans to build a 3,300-acre master-planned community in Midlothian with the selling point being a lakeside beach.

RREAF Communities is developing the 8,500-home project four miles south of U.S. 287 at the intersection of FM663 and FM875. It’s a development that’s just outside the city limits, served by an ETJ (extra-territorial jurisdiction), according to the city’s planning department.

According to a preliminary plat request, the development will be called Highland Lakes.

When built, the development adds to the growth experienced in the U.S. 287 corridor. The Midlothian-Waxahachie-Ennis cluster has numerous developments along the highway. Midlothian is bracing for this growth, according to its Growth Profile.

RREAF did not disclose information on its development other than to repost a Dallas Morning News report on its website.

Shannon Livingston, president of RREAF Communities, did not return calls to CandysDirt.com, but told The News the firm expects “it’s going to have a very positive impact on that area.”

RREAF told The News that it will create a beach environment along the property’s existing lake with a lazy river and pool. The largest body of water on the property is the Hi View Ranch Lake, a reservoir on the east side near FM875. RRAEF’s rendering shows a sandy beach with sailboats and beach craft.

It’s not clear where a beach front will be located.

The development will be built in phases and is expected to take over 10 to 15 years to complete with the first homes available by 2025.

“It’s perfectly situated to be able to be seen and enjoyed by people for years to come,” Livingston said.

Plans for the first phase include about 450 home lots, 230 apartment units, and 200 single-family rental homes.

The development will also include amenity centers, trails, parks, and a town center with restaurant and retail space. The project will also have land for schools, churches, fire stations. and safety services.

RREAF Communities is developing large-scale master-planned communities in rapidly expanding markets. RREAF Communities has a project in development between Austin and San Antonio, a 3,173-acre mixed-use development that has many of the same features as the Midlothian project.

“That division is focused on basically building cities — highly amenitized, highly programmed mixed-use communities all about the quality of life,” Kip Sowden, chairman and CEO of RREAF Holdings, told The News.