Marquette Companies, a national leader in multifamily development and property management, announced it has begun pre-leasing at The Sylvan, a new build-to-rent (BTR) community featuring 300 single-family homes, townhomes and apartments in The Woodlands, Texas, a Houston suburb.
“This community offers a special opportunity for residents to experience the space, privacy and neighborhood feel of single-family living while enjoying the flexibility and convenience of a rental, whether they choose a detached home, townhome or traditional apartment,” said Chris Yuko, managing director of development at Marquette Companies. “From its winding streets to the pocket parks designed to facilitate social connection, every element of The Sylvan was carefully considered with the goal of offering a neighborhood where renters can put down roots.”
Once complete, The Sylvan will include a mix of options intended to cater to a range of residents at different stages of life. The unit mix includes 188 single-family homes and townhomes, each with attached private garages, and 112 apartments, most of which also include private garages.
- The single family homes are available in three- and four-bedroom floor plans, ranging from 1,495 to 1,805 square feet, with two-car attached garages and backyards.
- Townhomes will include one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans ranging from 1,456 to 1,581 square feet with single-bay attached private garages.
- The multifamily component will offer one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, ranging from 650 to 1,574 square feet, in a three-story building that complements the architecture of the single-family homes and scale of the neighborhood. The apartments’ detached garages are located on the first floor to allow for convenient, private access from the building’s corridors.
“In designing The Sylvan, we considered what we could offer that improves upon the options already available in build-to-rent in this area,” said Yuko. “For example, we chose a clean and modern design aesthetic, offering an alternative to the more traditional design typical of most build-to-rent communities. We also considered the appeal of character and having a variety of layouts, essentially incorporating some of the flexibility and choice that is available to single-family home buyers. Our goal was to provide a home that residents can see themselves living in for the long term.”
Features in the single-family homes include lofted living rooms and finishes like quartz countertops, porcelain backslashes, matte black hardware and fine elm cabinetry that elevate The Sylvan from typical rental developments. Recognizing that garages in single-family homes serve as more than just a place to park your car, Marquette incorporated space for household essentials like a second refrigerator and workshop space. The ability to charge your electric vehicle is also available in all garages.
Additionally, every home at The Sylvan will feature advanced smart home technology including smart door locks, thermostats and extensive internet-of-things (IOT) integration options.
Residents at The Sylvan will enjoy access to a range of amenities such as a clubhouse, swimming pool, fitness center, cold plunge pool and a spa complete with an infrared sauna. These facilities are conveniently connected by a network of walking paths, encouraging an active and social lifestyle.
Marquette collaborated with design firm Kahler Slater, Montgomery County arborists and the city of Houston to develop a site plan for the Sylvan that prioritizes the preservation of the property’s existing landscape and natural topography. This initiative, with an estimated cost exceeding $1.5 million, has protected a diverse array of trees that have thrived on the property for decades and incorporated them into the development, further establishing a sense of place in the community.
Three century-old live oaks on the site were not only saved but also serve as the focal point for some of The Sylvan’s most distinctive communal spaces. These areas will feature special seating arrangements, fire pits, fountains and outdoor dining spaces equipped with smokers. In instances where trees were not able to be saved, Marquette partnered with Helmwood, a Houston-based custom woodworking studio, to repurpose the trees into furniture, bar tops and artistic installations that are showcased throughout the community.
“Integrating nature was a central focus of our plan for The Sylvan and a true differentiator in this market for renters seeking a neighborhood feel,” said Yuko. “It’s also a key element in cultivating a sense of community. At The Sylvan, there is an outdoor amenity no more than one block from every home, something we take great pride in.”
The Sylvan marks Marquette’s fifth rental community in the Houston area. The firm is also building Tempo at White Oak District, a 304-unit luxury apartment complex that offers views into White Oak Music Hall, one of Houston’s premier live music venues. Other recent projects by Marquette in the area include Catalyst Houston, Forth at Navigation, and the acquisition and renovation of the East End Lofts.
