More homes coming to Fairway Ranch in Roanoke

Wilbow Corp. has purchased another 39 acres from the Byron Nelson Estate with plans to build the sixth and final phase of Fairway Ranch.

Construction could start this September with another 91 lots ready to build on by September 2018.

Fairway Ranch is a master planned community that’s been in the works since 2011. Three phases are already finished with 160 homes already occupied.

Phase four is ready for home builders and already has a dozen lots sold, including some with lake views. Phase five is under development now.

Ultimately, the Fairway Ranch project will have 512 homes ranging from $300,000 to $800,000 along with common amenities and Roanoke’s largest park. The 346-acre Fairway Ranch project is located between Litsey Road and Texas 114 in Roanoke.

"The demand for housing is explosive," said Chas Fitzgerald, co-president of Wilbow Corp. "You’ve got Alliance Business Park, Las Colinas, new businesses in Southlake all creating jobs in the area. Roanoke is really well positioned along 114 to supply executive housing for those professionals coming to the area."

Fairway Ranch gets its name from Byron Nelson, the legendary golfer who won 11 PGA Tour championships in 1945. Nelson used his winnings to purchase a 700-acre ranch in what would become Roanoke. He lived on the land and raised cattle there for 60 years.

Fitzgerald wants to honor Nelson’s legacy by working around the natural rolling hills and wooded areas. The streets will be named after the tournaments that he won.

"Unlike other residential developments that use the name ‘ranch’, Fairway truly deserves the name from its history and rugged terrain," Fitzgerald said. "We have retained the lakes and creeks and fit the streets to the land and used native plants that will thrive and create a strong sense of place here."

Lots will range in size from 8,125 square feet to 20,000 square feet. Home builders include David Weekley, Highland, Darling and Drees Homes.

"Fairway Ranch offers a consistent level of quality, architecture, landscaping, an extensive system of private and public open spaces, as well as the potential for service retail and corporate campuses that will only enhance daily life within the community," said Cody Petree, Roanoke’s director of community and business development.

Other portions of the ranch have been developed into the larger Alliance Business Park.

Byron Nelson died in 2006 but his widow, Peggy Nelson, still lives on the remaining 83 acre estate.

"He …. had a wonderful vision for how that long-ago investment could be used to bless thousands of people who might never know his name or what he did in golf, but whose lives would be better because of that boyhood dream." Peggy Nelson said in a statement.

Amenities aplenty

Fairway Ranch will dedicate 46 acres for future parkland development, the city’s first park. Another 70 acres will be set aside for use by residents only. That includes a dog park, playgrounds, swimming pool, hike and bike trails, picnic areas, and two lakes for catch and release fishing.

Fairway Ranch will feature sculptures of cattle and other ranching fixtures to create a sense of place and honor the ranch’s heritage.

The amenity center was designed by DSGN Architects. The landscaping was done by architect David Hocker and artist David Carpetyan did the sculptures.

There will also be a lookout tower, called the Mirador, marking the highest point in Denton County.

The master planned community also features Wayne A. Cox Elementary School, from the Northwest school district, and the Pettit Private School Daycare.

This story was originally published May 3, 2017 at 4:33 PM with the headline "More homes coming to Fairway Ranch in Roanoke."