Cole Ranch: A $5 Billion Legacy Community Taking Shape Next to Landmark
3,100 acres of family ranchland, 4,365 homes, 1,200 acres of preserved green space, and a nearly century-old story finally coming to life.
Some developments are built on land that a corporation assembled from multiple sellers over a few years. Cole Ranch is built on land that one family has held for nearly a century — and that distinction runs through every aspect of the project.
Cole Ranch is a 3,100-acre, $5 billion master-planned community in southwest Denton, west of I-35W and south of Denton Enterprise Airport. The property was purchased by Miner Thomas “MT” Cole in the 1930s and operated as a working cattle ranch for decades, supporting cattle, crops, and other livestock — including a small buffalo herd that MT Cole maintained to help preserve the species. He was known locally for driving cattle through the night and for quietly giving back to churches and civic causes in both Denton and Dallas. The ranch has been a fixture in Denton County for nearly 100 years.
Now, through a partnership between Johnson Development, Cole Ranch Co. LP, and Denton Range LLC (an affiliate of Houston-based Silvestri Investments), this historic property is being transformed into what its developers believe will become one of North Texas’ most defining master-planned communities. A private ceremonial groundbreaking was held on June 3, 2026, and infrastructure work is expected to begin in August or September 2026, with first home sales anticipated in late 2027.
“This is an exciting milestone that means very much to my family. We are looking forward to seeing our vision for a timeless community that honors our family and the beauty of this area come to life.” — Jennifer Alexander, great-granddaughter of MT Cole
The Development Plan
Cole Ranch’s master plan balances residential density with an extraordinary commitment to green space preservation:
◆ 4,365 single-family homes
◆ 1,200 acres of preserved green space — nearly 40% of the total property
◆ 26 miles of trails connecting to the heavily wooded Hickory Creek areas
◆ Two historic lakes — a 32-acre waterway and a 13-acre lake, both originally constructed by MT Cole using mule-drawn Fresno plows
◆ 206 acres for Denton ISD schools — two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school
◆ 156 acres of commercial development
◆ 55-acre business park
◆ 50-acre city park dedicated to the City of Denton
◆ Two amenity centers and multiple neighborhood parks
◆ $5 billion estimated build-out value
The 1,200 acres dedicated to green space deserve special attention. When the Denton City Council updated the project’s zoning earlier in 2025, they reduced the amount of light industrial space by more than 300 acres specifically to make room for expanded green areas and community amenities. The result is a master plan where nearly four out of every ten acres are preserved as open space, trails, or parkland — a ratio that is virtually unmatched among large-scale master-planned communities in the DFW metroplex.
The two lakes are the most distinctive features of the plan. The 32-acre waterway and 13-acre lake were built by MT Cole himself using mules pulling a Fresno Plow — a hand-operated earthmoving tool that predates modern construction equipment by generations. These lakes are not decorative retention ponds added by a developer. They are century-old features of the land, and the master plan is designed around them as natural focal points for the community.
The Cole Family: Nearly 100 Years on This Land
Understanding Cole Ranch means understanding the family behind it. MT Cole purchased the property in the 1930s and dedicated his life to working it — raising cattle, growing crops, and even maintaining a small buffalo herd to help preserve a species that had been nearly hunted to extinction. He dug the lakes by hand with mules. He drove cattle through the night. And he gave back to churches and civic organizations across Denton and Dallas without fanfare.
The ranch has passed through generations of the Cole family, and their involvement in the development ensures that the project’s design honors the land’s agricultural heritage. Jennifer Alexander, MT Cole’s great-granddaughter, has been a visible presence throughout the planning and approval process.
“We want to do this the right way. Cole Ranch is very near and dear to the family, and Johnson Development is the perfect partner to carry this vision forward — creating a timeless community that honors our history and the beauty of the land.” — Jennifer Alexander
This personal investment in the outcome matters. The 1,200 acres of preserved green space, the protection of the hand-built lakes, the trail connections to Hickory Creek, and the emphasis on natural features all reflect a family that is not simply selling land to a developer — they are partnering with one to ensure that the next chapter of Cole Ranch honors the previous ones.
Johnson Development: A Proven Partner
Johnson Development is one of the most respected master-planned community developers in Texas. Based in Houston, the company has a portfolio of award-winning communities including Viridian in Arlington (2,300 acres) and Trinity Falls in McKinney, both of which are active and well-regarded communities in the DFW region. Cole Ranch is their third DFW community and by far their most ambitious project in the market.
“There’s no better time to enter the Denton market, which has grown nearly 29 percent since 2020. A development like Cole Ranch is ideal for accommodating this kind of monumental growth, not only by bringing new homes to the area, but by doing so in a way that considers open space, schools, commercial opportunities and long-term livability.” — Tommy Tucker, VP of Business Development, Johnson Development
Denton Range LLC, an affiliate of Houston-based Silvestri Investments, is the investment partner in the project.
“Cole Ranch is well positioned to serve the growing Dallas-Fort Worth market.” — Dan Silvestri, President, Silvestri Investments
Adjacent to Landmark: A Combined 6,300 Acres and $15 Billion
Cole Ranch sits directly adjacent to Hillwood’s Landmark development — the 3,200-acre, $10 billion mega-community anchored by Denton’s first H‑E‑B grocery store. Together, the two projects encompass more than 6,300 acres and represent approximately $15 billion in combined investment. As the Cross Timbers Gazette reported, these two developments will “decrease the large green space barrier between Denton and southern Denton County’s towns and cities, like Justin, Argyle, and Flower Mound, in the I-35W corridor.”
The adjacency is not just geographic — it is structural. Cole Ranch and Landmark share wastewater infrastructure through a cost-sharing agreement with the City of Denton. In May 2026, Denton City Council approved a $14.6 million sewer expansion project to serve Cole Ranch, with costs split between the city (59%), the Cole Ranch Municipal Management District (approximately 40%), and the Landmark MMD (just over 1%), based on each party’s projected contribution to wastewater flow. The oversized 48-inch sewer line is designed to delay or potentially eliminate the need for a future parallel line that would have cost an additional $17.7 million.
This shared infrastructure approach is a model of the coordinated planning that distinguishes well-capitalized, city-supported developments from speculative ones. When two $5-billion-plus developments share utility systems with the city, it signals a level of institutional commitment and financial backing that buyers and investors should take seriously.
Schools: Denton ISD
Cole Ranch is served by Denton ISD, with 206 acres set aside within the development for four new school campuses: two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school. This is one of the largest school site dedications in any single development in Denton County and ensures that Cole Ranch families will have on-site school access as the community grows.
For buyers who prioritize Argyle ISD or Northwest ISD, properties in those districts are available further south in the corridor. But for families who value Denton ISD’s resources, campus variety, and proximity to the University of North Texas and Texas Woman’s University, Cole Ranch represents a compelling new option in the district.
The Municipal Management District
Like Landmark and Craver Ranch, Cole Ranch operates under a Municipal Management District (MMD) — a political subdivision approved by the Texas Legislature in 2019 that allows the developer to levy assessments on property owners within the district to fund infrastructure. The Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 1 board meets regularly to discuss project status, impact fees, and infrastructure coordination with the city.
It is important for buyers to understand that properties within an MMD may carry additional assessment obligations beyond standard property taxes. These assessments fund the roads, water, sewer, and utility infrastructure that makes the community possible, but they should be factored into the total cost of ownership. Ryan can help buyers understand the full tax and assessment picture for any property within Cole Ranch or the surrounding area.
Timeline: Where Things Stand
The development’s progress to date:
◆ 1930s: MT Cole purchases the ranch
◆ 2006: Property annexed into Denton city limits
◆ 2008: Rezoned to Master Planned Community district
◆ 2019: Texas Legislature approves Municipal Management District
◆ 2022: Parks board adopts conceptual master plan for neighborhood park
◆ 2025: City Council updates zoning, reduces industrial by 300+ acres for green space
◆ October 2025: Johnson Development partnership announced
◆ May 2026: City Council approves $14.6M sewer expansion cost-share
◆ June 3, 2026: Private ceremonial groundbreaking
◆ August/September 2026: Infrastructure construction begins
◆ Late 2027: First home sales anticipated
What Cole Ranch Means for the Corridor
For buyers
Cole Ranch adds significant new residential inventory to southwest Denton at a range of price points. The emphasis on green space (1,200 acres), trails (26 miles connecting to Hickory Creek), the preserved historic lakes, and the 50-acre city park distinguish it from more conventional subdivisions. When home sales begin in late 2027, this will be one of the first major new options available in the area. The adjacency to Landmark means buyers will also benefit from the retail, commercial, and employment infrastructure that Hillwood is building next door — including Denton’s first H‑E‑B.
For investors and landowners
Cole Ranch’s adjacency to Landmark creates a combined development footprint of more than 6,300 acres and $15 billion in investment. Infrastructure spending at this scale transforms surrounding markets. The properties acquired before these projects reach critical mass — whether acreage in the surrounding area, existing homes, or undeveloped parcels — will benefit from the density, infrastructure, and commercial gravity that these developments generate. For landowners holding property between Cole Ranch, Landmark, and the Argyle–Northlake corridor to the south, the growth catalysts are now tangible and funded.
For the corridor
Cole Ranch, Landmark, Craver Ranch, and Furst Ranch together represent more than $25 billion in development and approximately 25,000 new homes across Denton County. The development gap between Denton and the southern corridor communities is closing — and closing fast. The corridor is no longer a collection of small towns surrounded by ranchland. It is becoming a connected, multi-node luxury residential market with institutional infrastructure behind it. Cole Ranch is one of the most important pieces of that story.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cole Ranch
Q: What is Cole Ranch?
A: Cole Ranch is a 3,100-acre, $5 billion master-planned community in southwest Denton, Texas, developed by Johnson Development in partnership with Cole Ranch Co. LP and Denton Range LLC. It will include approximately 4,365 single-family homes, 1,200 acres of preserved green space, 26 miles of trails, two historic lakes, 206 acres for Denton ISD schools, commercial development, and a 50-acre city park.
Q: Where is Cole Ranch located?
A: Cole Ranch is in southwest Denton, west of I-35W and south of Denton Enterprise Airport. It sits directly adjacent to Hillwood’s Landmark development. Together, the two projects encompass more than 6,300 acres.
Q: When will homes be available at Cole Ranch?
A: Infrastructure work is expected to begin in August or September 2026. First home sales are anticipated in late 2027. A private ceremonial groundbreaking was held on June 3, 2026.
Q: What school district serves Cole Ranch?
A: Denton ISD. The master plan includes 206 acres for four new school campuses: two elementary schools, a middle school, and a high school, all to be built on-site within the development.
Q: Who is developing Cole Ranch?
A: Johnson Development (a Houston-based master-planned community developer also behind Viridian in Arlington and Trinity Falls in McKinney) in partnership with Cole Ranch Co. LP and Denton Range LLC, an affiliate of Houston-based Silvestri Investments.
Q: How much green space does Cole Ranch preserve?
A: 1,200 acres — nearly 40% of the total property — will be preserved as green space, with 26 miles of trails connecting to the Hickory Creek wooded areas. The community also includes two historic lakes built by MT Cole using mule-drawn plows, two amenity centers, multiple neighborhood parks, and a 50-acre city park.
Q: Who was MT Cole?
A: Miner Thomas “MT” Cole purchased the ranch in the 1930s and operated it as a working cattle ranch for decades. He raised cattle, grew crops, and maintained a small buffalo herd to help preserve the species. He built the two lakes on the property using mules pulling Fresno plows. The ranch has been in the Cole family for nearly 100 years.
Q: Is Cole Ranch adjacent to Landmark?
A: Yes. Cole Ranch sits directly next to Hillwood’s Landmark development. Together they encompass more than 6,300 acres and represent approximately $15 billion in combined investment. The two developments share wastewater infrastructure through a cost-sharing agreement with the City of Denton.
Q: What is the Municipal Management District at Cole Ranch?
A: The Cole Ranch Improvement District No. 1 is a Municipal Management District (MMD) approved by the Texas Legislature in 2019. It allows the developer to levy assessments on property owners within the district to fund infrastructure such as roads, water, sewer, and utilities. Properties within an MMD may carry additional assessment obligations beyond standard property taxes.
Q: How does Cole Ranch affect surrounding property values?
A: The combined $15 billion investment of Cole Ranch and Landmark, with shared infrastructure, schools, commercial development, and the closing of the development gap between Denton and southern Denton County, is expected to significantly elevate property values across southwest Denton and the broader Argyle–Northlake corridor.
Q: Can Ryan Stoddard help with buying near Cole Ranch?
A: Yes. Ryan serves the Argyle–Northlake corridor and surrounding Denton County communities. Whether you are evaluating Cole Ranch, Landmark, or acreage opportunities in the surrounding area, Ryan can provide hyperlocal market insight. Contact Ryan at 402.902.9261 or [email protected].
Want to Know How Cole Ranch Affects Your Property or Your Next Purchase?
Whether you are considering buying within Cole Ranch, evaluating how it impacts land values in the surrounding corridor, or thinking about timing a sale to capitalize on the growth wave, Ryan Stoddard can help. As a luxury real estate advisor at Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty who lives in Argyle and tracks every development in this corridor in real time, Ryan provides the hyperlocal intelligence that makes the difference.
Ryan Stoddard
Luxury Real Estate Advisor | Briggs Freeman Sotheby’s International Realty
402.902.9261 | [email protected] | RyanStoddardRealEstate.com
Based in Argyle, TX — Serving the Argyle–Northlake Corridor and Denton County
