Howard Hughes® has a long history of developing award-winning communities that lean heavily on innovation to meet the needs of all residents. Teravalis is quickly underway and will be developed with the same dedication to its residents and the surrounding environment as our other celebrated communities.  

We’d like to highlight the past and present of two remarkable communities, The Woodlands and Summerlin, to demonstrate what you can expect from a Howard Hughes community. 

The Woodlands: 50 Years of Excellence 

The Woodlands was founded in 1974 in Houston, Texas. It was the passion project of successful businessman and land developer George Mitchell, whose contributions have left an undeniable mark on community development. After attending an event hosted by the Rouse Company, Mitchell was inspired to change the homebuilding landscape, focusing on the concept of sustainable development, which aims to develop communities using clean energy, water, and natural gas.  

Mitchell turned his inspiration into action, purchasing over 28,000 acres of land in Piney Woods, located in Southeast Texas. This plot would eventually become the community of The Woodlands, which would go on to win several industry awards and sustainability recognitions. In 2011, Howard Hughes acquired the community, which now spans nine residential villages, having been rated the #1 Best City to Live in America by Niche* in 2021 and 2022. The community has some of the highest-ranking schools in Houston, celebrated medical centers, and places of worship for nearly every religion.  

Sustainability is paramount at The Woodlands, with several accolades to prove it. The community features over 8,000 acres dedicated to open space, which includes 151 parks, 220 miles of hiking and bike trails, and countless other outdoor recreation areas. The community is also the largest to ever win a LEED pre-certification and did so without altering development over the years. Today, The Woodlands stands as a testament to Mitchell’s vision and how remaining steadfast with ingenuity and innovation in mind can have a lasting impact for decades. 

Summerlin: The Pinnacle of Innovation 

The story of Summerlin starts in 1952, with successful business leader, film producer, philanthropist, and company namesake, Howard Hughes. In that year, Hughes purchased over 25,000 acres in southern Nevada, making him the single largest landowner in Nevada.  

Unfortunately, Hughes would never see his investment come to fruition. In 1976, Hughes passed from kidney failure, but his heirs wished to continue his legacy of innovation by turning the land into one of the largest master planned communities in the world. The community was eventually named Summerlin after Hughes’ paternal grandmother, Jean Amelia Summerlin. 

Today, Summerlin stretches over 22,500 acres, boasting remarkable views of the Red Rock Canyon. Over 123,000 residents call Summerlin their home, taking advantage of the region’s many benefits. Summerlin is home to some of the most prestigious schools in Nevada, including ten nationally recognized private schools and two nationally ranked public high schools.  

Summerlin has a long history of environmental initiatives and is also paving the way as a leader in sustainability. In 2003, the community partnered with the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA), to become Nevada’s first community to implement the state’s most expansive Water Smart conservation guidelines.  

Today, Summerlin continues to introduce innovative new landscaping techniques and sustainable construction that help conserve even more water. For example, Summerlin’s 1700 Pavilion features water conservation throughout, using low-flow water fixtures, touchless entry points, and enhanced air filtration. Howard Hughes leadership stays incredibly invested in Nevada’s future, with executives having served on the SNWA’s Water Conservation Coalition, implementing further water conservation initiatives state-wide. 

As Teravalis blooms into a full-blown community, it’s important to look back at the many Howard Hughes communities that came before it. Both The Woodlands and Summerlin have blossomed into the communities they are today not only due to the vision of trailblazers like George Mitchell and Howard Hughes but also key leadership within the organization. Their dedication to innovation and sustainability is more prevalent today than it’s ever been, which is why it’s important that Teravalis brings that same dedication to ingenuity to the Phoenix West Valley. We’re excited to bring this new community to you in 2025, so make sure to join our interest list and stay updated with our progress. 

About Teravalis™ 

Teravalis is primed to be a 37,000-acre premier master planned community located in the West Valley of the Phoenix metropolitan area, in Buckeye, Arizona. Translating to “land of the valley,” Teravalis is positioned between the White Tank and Belmont Mountain ranges and is committed to embracing the natural High Sonoran Desert beauty. Utilizing innovative technology and sustainable planning, the community will feature unparalleled amenities and wide-open spaces to explore and discover. Teravalis is a community of Howard Hughes, known for its mission to curate vibrant communities that elevate the everyday, creating meaningful moments in great places where people can live their best lives – and thrive for generations to come.