Originally published on September 11, 2023, by Clayton Garrett for UrbanLand Magazine.

In any industry, the pressure to achieve the next big breakthrough is a daunting task. In community development, envisioning how future societies will live can often feel like masterminding a high-tech work of science fiction. Just outside of Houston, a development of the future is emerging—but it is probably not what you think. Instead of flying cars and sky-scraping utopias, this version of Tomorrowland has its roots firmly and sustainably planted in days gone by.

Our flagship neighborhood, Indigo, is a 235-acre (95.1 ha) walkable community complete with approximately 800 residences, 42 acres (17 ha) of devoted agriculture, a 25-acre (10.1 ha) lake, and more than 70,000 square feet (6,503 sq m) of mixed-use commercial development. With phase one currently under construction and new model homes, shops, and an urban farm set to open in early 2024, Indigo will feature a connected village of retail, small businesses, residential living, and outdoor spaces, with a 12-acre (4.85 ha) town center that draws inspiration from traditional Main Streets where buildings are at a human-scale and encourage interaction.

Indigo places a paradoxical bet on humanity’s next generations by finding its essence in the echoes of the past. We’re borrowing inspiration from historical models of development that successfully fostered vibrant, interconnected communities. Much more than nostalgia, this return to a simpler way of life is a surprisingly complex goal, but one that we’re bullish on.