Houston-based developers McGrath Real Estate Partners announced the official groundbreaking of the Mill House, a 16,956-square-foot retail development at Riceland Town Center, the civic and social heart of the 1,500-acre master-planned community in Mont Belvieu, Texas.
Riceland Town Center anchors the community with the recently opened Mont Belvieu City Hall and Fire Station. The Town Center will feature a dedicated public green space and an expanding mix of commercial, dining, and entertainment offerings. It is designed to serve as a gathering place for residents, visitors, and community events.
“The Mill House represents our commitment to work with the City of Mont Belvieu and their vision to return a ‘town center to the community,’” said Barrett Kirk, Chief Investment Officer of McGrath Real Estate Partners. “The Riceland Town Center will deliver thoughtful commercial amenities that elevate daily life for residents while also attracting regional visitors. With Riceland’s rapid residential growth and the strong momentum within Mont Belvieu, today’s groundbreaking is an exciting next step in building a vibrant, connected community.”
SPD Construction will lead the construction of the Town Center development. “We are honored to partner with McGrath Real Estate Partners on a project that will play such a defining role in Riceland’s Town Center,” said Rob Walters, CEO of SPD Construction. “Our team is committed to delivering a high-quality commercial destination that reflects the character and long-term vision of this growing community.”
The Town Center will serve as the cornerstone of daily life and community engagement. With construction on the Mill House underway, this marks a new chapter for both the development and the City of Mont Belvieu.
“We are excited to see the groundbreaking for the Riceland Millhouse,” said Brian Winningham, Mont Belvieu City Manager. “The beginning of the Christmas season starts a new chapter for Mont Belvieu City Hall and the first building of the Riceland Town Square.”
The Mill House complements the significant progress being made throughout Riceland. The long-term development plan includes 4,500 homes; 30 miles of trails; and multiple recreational lakes, including the 10-acre Eagle Lake stocked with more than 55,000 fish, the 15-acre Otter Lake, and the two-acre Turtle Lake, with additional lakes planned for future phases. Residents will also enjoy resort-style pools, outdoor family entertainment areas, and numerous parks connected to the Town Center plaza. Residential momentum continues with Chesmar Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, and Perry Homes actively building homes.
Retail leasing for the Mill House will be managed by Palo Duro Commercial Partners. The project team includes SPD Construction as general contractor; TBG Partners for landscape design; Jones Engineering Solutions for civil engineering; Mirador Group for architectural design; Integrity Structural for structural engineering; and Jordan & Skala Engineers for MEP design.
Riceland Town Center is located at 1 Town Center Blvd., Mont Belvieu, Texas.
The Mill House is now under construction and will offer 16,956 square feet of retail, restaurant, and office space. Main Street and the City Hall parking areas are complete, and tenant announcements are expected soon. The Lakehouse Amenity Center is also under construction and will include an 8,229-square-foot facility overlooking a 10-acre stocked pond, a lakeside terrace, resort-style pool and athletic club, event lawn, biergarten, and a natural playground with a dog park. Landscaping and hardscaping are underway along the canal-side trail system, and design has been completed for The Square, which will feature a pavilion with seating, whiffleball fields, pickleball courts, and a playground area.
Phase I of the development covers 144 acres, with 417 home lots completed and 109 homes currently under construction. Sweet Gum Park is open to residents and offers a playground and walking trails. Phase II includes 138 acres with 311 home lots completed and 19 homes under construction. Perry Homes is offering 80-foot lots that front Eagle Point Golf Course. Twelve model homes are currently open, with homes being built by Chesmar Homes, David Weekley Homes, Highland Homes, and Perry Homes.