Developer Looks to Demographics for Amenities

FRISCO, TX—Wildridge is a 340-acre master-planned community set in the middle of Oak Point on the peninsula of Lake Lewisville just west of Frisco. It is surrounded by rolling hills and trails blanketed with Texas wildflowers and oak trees.

The site is the creation of Ashlar Development, a Dallas-based developer, which creates a unique style of living for each community’s diverse mix of residents. Amenities such as The Hideaway at Wildridge are part of the strategic approach, as new amenities are introduced and chosen for the community based on resident lifestyle trends and feedback.

Construction is underway on this new amenity center with extensive outdoor and event space for residents. The Hideaway will feature a three-acre fully stocked fishing pond, 960-square-foot covered event pavilion, expansive indoor and outdoor seating areas, festoon lighting, dock overlooks, an outdoor kitchen and fire pits. The amenity center is scheduled to open in early 2020.

Building off of the guiding principles of Wildridge, the design team has utilized local materials to stitch the amenities into the fabric of this native environment nestled within existing trees. The design team is a collaboration of Dallas-based Larson & Pedigo Architects and landscape architecture firm, Kimley-Horn.

“The name The Hideaway was thoughtfully selected as it is tucked away from the hustle and bustle, allowing our residents to retreat, relax and recharge,” said Royce Brooks, senior marketing manager of Ashlar Development.

Additional updates coming to Wildridge in the first half of 2020 include continued improvements and expansions on the community’s seven-mile trail network and new parks.

Wildridge recently welcomed Pulte Homes and Chesmar Homes to its roster of homebuilders available for homebuyers, joining American Legend Homes, Highland Homes and Plantation Homes. Pulte and Chesmar model homes are now open and combined, the builders will introduce more than 100 move-in ready homes to the community by late 2020.

Wildridge experienced a 15% net sales increase and an 800% traffic increase from third quarter 2018 to third quarter 2019. The community is currently home to 750 residents in 360 homes with 700 remaining lots available.

In addition to convenient access to the Lake Lewisville waterfront, there is a walking trail at The Point on the waterfront with direct shoreline access. Wildridge is part of the Little Elm Independent School District and Denton Independent School District.

Wildridge resident demographics and interests, based on a 2018 resident survey:

The majority of Wildridge buyers are a spilt between 40% families and 60% empty nesters, specifically, families with two or more children. The majority of the children in the community are 5 years and younger. The adults 50 and older are retired and moving into the area to be closer to family.

The survey shows that 78% of homebuyers at Wildridge have purchased there because of the location including Lake Lewisville and weekend activities. Residents are attracted to the outdoor activities and nearby lake and fitness/wellness participation, and value work/family life balance. Most are interested in participating in social events and outdoor adventures, GlobeSt.com learns.

According to a John Burns Real Estate Consulting report, boomers, Gen X and Gen Y alike rank walking trails, recreational centers, community-wide events and shaded areas among their top preferred amenities. Wildridge has seven miles of trails, canoe rentals, floating yoga and lakeside event activations and a private resident fish camp.

As Denton County experiences the 10th highest amount of domestic migration in the US, according to the US Census Bureau, Wildridge attracts the buyer who values shared experiences by creating gathering spots and outdoor amenities where residents and visitors can interact, such as The Hideaway.

“Based on these demographics and resident feedback, Wildridge provides something for every life stage and utilizes this feedback as the community thoughtfully expands and adds new amenities,” Brooks tells GlobeSt.com. “For example, this summer, Wildridge had more than 10 requested private pavilion party/event reservations, not including the independent parties that happen without reservations. With the introduction of The Hideaway, residents will have a new place to host events, get to know each other and create shared community experiences.”

Trends within the North Dallas region of Oak Point/Little Elm:

Wildridge has access to major commuter roads including FM 720, El Dorado Parkway and State Highway 380, along with proximity to retail shops, restaurants, and Little Elm and Oak Point. Little Elm is home to 66 miles of shoreline that have contributed to the town’s recent economic boom.

Lake Lewisville was created in the 1920s as a getaway for Dallas residents. In the late 1990s, the Dallas North Tollway expanded and improved access to the town, and the town council has since made lake development a priority. Since 2004, Little Elm has welcomed more than 600 new businesses and the population has soared to about 50,000 people including 3,300 who call Wildridge home.

Based on the 2018 Town of Little Elm Strategic Report, Oak Point is ranked as one of the top suburbs in the Dallas area. It is located just minutes from the Dallas North Tollway and IH-35E, and 25 miles from the DFW International Airport and a top school district.