Dallas-based Ashlar Development LLC’s The Groves, an almost 1,000-acre master-planned community northeast of Houston, will open its new $2.5 million amenity center, called The Hearth, on May 5.
The outdoor space features a covered pavilion with extra-long picnic tables, a gas fireplace, a pool set to open Memorial Day, a lighted great lawn, play and lounge areas as well as several green rocking chairs to take in the view of Madera Creek that runs along the entire width of the development.
The Hearth’s overall theme is to encourage residents to come together outside, said Mike Miller, general manager for Ashlar. He said details such as the extra-long picnic tables, the bistro seating near the fireplace or the rocking chairs sprinkled throughout the space are all meant to create spaces where people can be in nature within the community.
The Hearth can be found about a mile within The Groves, across the street from the new Humble Independent School District campus The Groves Elementary School and the new middle school set to open for the fall semester, West Lake Middle School.
Austin-based Hatch + Ulland Owen Architects designed the Hearth along with Houston-based TBG Partners. Houston-based Millis Development was the contractor.
Ashlar recently started construction on Madera Run Parkway, a $3 million road project to connect The Groves to Beltway 8 via Woodland Hills Drive.
Currently, 500 homes have been built within The Groves, with room for a total of 2,200. Homes range in size from 1,776 to 4,891 square feet and prices range from the $240,000s to the $600,000s.