High Hill Development Seeks to Bring Mediterranean Coastal Style to East Texas

It comes as no surprise that the stunning scenery of High Hill Development has captured the attention of visitors both near and far. Developer and owner Jason Romano has poured his talents and vision into the space to make it what it is today, a world-class retreat in the backyard of East Texas.

While High Hill is positioned on the rolling hills of Arp, Texas, the property is enamored with a Mediterranean coastal style that still pays homage to its natural East Texas landscape. I sat down with Jason to understand more about the architectural design and inspiration of the property while learning more about this visionary’s process. 

An Intentional Design Process

Jason has 28 years of experience in home building and design which lends nicely to this new venture of building second homes for folks looking to own a taste of the East Coast — right here in Texas. When I asked Jason about his process, he emphasized how he’s using his God-given gifts of creating what he sees. 

“When creating a space for a client, I always ask them to know the master plan,” Jason says. “It helps to know what the end result will be used for so that when I move through the space, I can visualize my client in it and using its features. Because at the end of the day, I’m using ideas and dirt to manipulate a box. How do we make that box personal?” 

High Hill Development is the perfect example of Jason’s process of bringing the outside in and the inside out. The property is set up on the perfect backdrop to accomplish this and truly exudes beauty from every angle. 

“I also enjoy standing in spaces and looking at the sunsets and sunrises, how the air moves through, and really look at the details of the big picture,” Jason adds. 

Creating a Unique Yet Familiar Setting

As we’ve mentioned before, the Romanos frequented the Florida panhandle for many years before deciding to bring a piece of that white sandy beach to Texas. As a result of their love for the coast, High Hill Development shares this Mediterranean coastal style. 

“When we set out to create High Hill, we wanted to create a space for people who are familiar with the 30A area yet want a quick escape. Something that doesn’t require getting on a plane,” Jason says. 

However, the design team isn’t plowing down the native East Texas landscape and transplanting the coastal vibes in its place. Instead, the team is creating a serene atmosphere that utilizes the native plants and natural elements found in the area. 

“Surprisingly enough, the East Texas native plants have a similar style to that of the Tuscany region so it’s easy to bring the Mediterranean style into the property as it’s all very indicative of East Texas,” Jason adds. “Although we are bringing in some coastal effects — galvanized roofs, raw wood, natural designs — it compliments the landscape and architecture.”

The homes at High Hill will stand the test of time as classically simple designs. Instead of bright colors often associated with beachfront property, all homes are painted with plaster whites, which truly pops against the gorgeous green landscape.

“What’s different about our designs and process is that the landscape is not consumed by the house. The house is the focus with the natural landscape surrounding it,” Jason comments.

Bringing a Vision to Life

To accomplish this vision of timeless, simple elegance, Jason has teamed up with Yvette Leihgeber as the lead interior designer. Since every home comes fully furnished, it’s Yvette’s job to bring that Mediterranean coastal style to life in these spaces. 

“Yvette has 20 years of experience in design and is an expert at blending raw materials together to make spaces less sterile,” Jason says. 

Currently, the team is building out the beach bar that will give guests and residents an opportunity to sink their toes into the white sandy beach with a drink in hand. Next up is the Central Park and Top Golf-inspired range which will feature two waterfall walls at the entrance to cool the space and provide an experience with sound and stunning visuals. 

“As you move your eyes across the property, you really get the wow factor,” Jason adds. “While we’re creating a unique yet familiar space, we also want you to feel like you’ve never been to a place like this before.” 

It’s obvious that the High Hill team is creating a completely intentional property without overlooking any details. Instead of focusing on selling lots, Jason and his team are more concerned about selling a house that can become a home. 

The High Hill Development sales team is represented by the Danuser Rado Group with Lauren Haley as the lead broker and Lauren Fugham as the local on-site realtor.

For more information on homes available at High Hill, reach out to Lauren Fulgham at [email protected].