A 4,000-home master-planned community on former George Ranch land near Fulshear opened its model homes to buyers Tuesday, Sept. 29.
Johnson Development Co. held a grand opening for The George at the nearly 1,500-acre site near FM 2977 and Koeblen Road in Richmond, Covering Katy reported. All eight homebuilders are now operating model homes in the community's first phase of 319 homesites.
Homes sit on 40-, 45-, 50- and 60-foot lots. Prices start in the mid-$300,000s.
"This is a historic moment in land development in Fort Bend County and the Houston region," Michael Smith, president and CEO of Johnson Development Co., said at the grand opening. "The George Foundation and The George Ranch are the essence of Fort Bend County."
The George Foundation sold the tract to Johnson Development and investment partner the Texas General Land Office (GLO) in 2024. Covering Katy described the sale as the first significant land sale in the foundation's 80-year history. Albert and Mamie George established the foundation in 1945, and it has distributed more than $340 million to Fort Bend County charitable causes, according to the Fort Bend Herald.
Eight builders are selling in the first phase: Chesmar Homes, Newmark Homes, Empire Homes, Perry Homes, Westin Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes and J. Patrick Homes. Pre-sales began about four months before the grand opening, while model homes were still under construction.
Lamar Consolidated Independent School District (Lamar CISD) has already secured a foothold in the development. The district purchased 15 acres within The George for a future elementary school, with the sale closing Aug. 15, 2025, Fort Bend Focus reported. The purchase used funds from a $1.7 billion bond voters approved in November 2022. A second school site is also designated in the master plan.
The George is currently zoned to Thomas Elementary, Steenbergen Middle School, Wright Junior High and Randle High School. The district has not announced a construction timeline for the new elementary school.
Planned amenities include a recreation complex with a clubhouse, pool and fitness center, along with tennis and pickleball courts, parks and trails.
Johnson Development plans a public celebration called Big Texas Fest at 7730 Tribute Circle in Richmond following a Tuesday, Oct. 6, Realtor event. The festival is expected to feature food trucks, games, Highland cows, George Ranch history presentations and a performance by George Strait tribute artist Derek Spence. Visitors will be able to tour all eight model homes.
