Phase One of the long-anticipated Walsh master-planned community finally opened to visitors and early homebuyers in late April. When complete, the 30-to-40-year development of this $6 billion, 7,200-acre community in the suburb of Aledo (just west of Fort Worth) will be home to over 50,000 people, according to Walsh’s Dallas-based developer Republic Property Group. The community, named for the Walsh family cattle ranch that was on the property, features a blend of historic local architecture and 21st century amenities.

Walsh’s initial phase of 1,700 acres has a projected cost of $1.6 billion during its 12-to-15-year build-out. Construction of several model homes is underway at the site, which sits next to the merged freeways of Interstates 20 and 30, about a 12-to-15-minute drive west of Downtown Fort Worth. 

Phase One includes 587 homes with prices beginning in the upper $200,000s. At build-out, Walsh will have around 15,000 homes. Builders such as David Weekley Homes, Drees Custom Homes, Highland Homes, Toll Brothers, Village Homes, and recently added HGC Residential have either debuted or will soon begin showing homes.

Anticipated completion of the community’s Mary D. and F. Howard Walsh Elementary School this summer, in time for the 2017-18 school year, adds to the neighborhood’s flurry of activity. Also slated for completion this summer is the revolutionary Makerspace, a cooperative “workshop” that includes a wood shop, 3D printers, computer design software and more. It’s the first facility of its kind for any new residential community.

Other amenities drawing homebuyer interest include Walsh’s 10,000-square-foot gym, family pool with cabanas and kids’ areas, a Junior Olympic lap pool, day care facilities, hiking and walking trails, and large greenspaces. All Walsh homes feature super-fast fiber internet connections.

Over a long development period Jake Wagner, co-CEO of Republic, says that anyone’s real estate vision is subject to revision. He recently told the Dallas Business Journal, when discussing what the neighborhood would look like when it’s finished, that he envisions homes and commercial development. But with 7,200 acres, Walsh “could include major corporate or medical campuses. The market will determine that in the next 30 to 40 years,” he added.