Williamson County’s Most Exclusive Development
In step with homes frequently only seen in luxury magazines, The Canyons at HCH Ranch in Georgetown is setting a new standard above anything else in Williamson County. Named for the original landowner, Homer Clinton Hawes (1898-1960), homeowners at The Canyons will be afforded stunning views of actual canyons and miles of beautiful Hill Country scenery. At 1,000 feet elevation, the views from Georgetown all the way to Ronald Reagan Blvd. are unlike any in Central Texas.
The force behind this monumental project is developer and owner of Grand Endeavor Homes, Jimmy Jacobs, in partnership with Cody Hawes, Homer’s grandson. After developing the land purchase for more than a year, construction is underway and Jimmy is planning a grand opening event in December.
The holiday themed event will be open to the public and spotlight the premier model home and fully completed landscaping and sales center. Jimmy anticipates the tour will also include 10 to 15 homes in various stages of construction. Serendipitously, the completion of this development will be a boon for executives and employees attached to corporate megasites soon to come. Jimmy says, “Timing is sometimes everything and with the strength of the current market, this is the executive housing opportunity Williamson County has been looking for. Samsung, the nation’s largest-ever corporate development deal is already a historical fact and, in its wake, many other big companies will certainly follow. ”
Georgetown City Councilmember Shawn Hood has been pushing for Georgetown to build its first truly gated community and considers The Canyons a step in the right direction. “I don’t believe a city can openly talk about low-income housing without talking about executive housing in the same conversation. Executives bring business to our city, employ workers, and they too need a place to live. Fortunately, $2.5 million homes are becoming more commonplace in the Georgetown market, which is what The Canyons will yield. It is the perfect fit for the needs of those moving to Williamson County for business.”
EXECUTIVE LIFESTYLE IN GEORGETOWN
Known for a hand-crafted and custom construction process that simplifies and enriches the home-building experience, Jimmy provided oversight to the project, literally, from the ground up. Early in the process, walking on the property—minimally cleared to retain old-growth trees and greenery to maintain the natural beauty of the property—he says, “No matter who they are, or where they’ve lived, everyone who comes to see this property just says, ‘Wow!’ There are stunning views here you won’t find anywhere else in Austin; there’s nothing else like it. The the only limitation on what this place can be is the imagination of those who choose to build here.”
The 364-acre property is transforming into a private community of 186 homes on executive lots from one to five acres. The neighborhood looks and feels very secure; gated, with 7-foot walls and towers at the entrance, with infrastructure and landscaping to match.
Early indicators and buzz about the project generated a long list of interested buyers and Jacobs reports pre-sales have gone very well. At press time there are 18 homes under construction or close to commencement. “Several hundred people have already inquired about the lots, many of them based simply on the history of the property and description of the topography,” Jimmy adds. “We have many custom plans to choose from or we can assist buyers with designing a customized plan. Homes sold are ranging from $1.3 to $3 million and buyers can expect to move in between eight months to a year from project start.”
He adds, with respect to other luxury developments in the region, “The Canyons has an entirely different feel because we are starting with an exceptional plateau overlooking vistas rich with natural areas and wildlife. So, imagine the quality and culture of similar communities, but on a mountaintop; this is truly a one-of-a-kind property for Williamson County.”
Grand Endeavor has planned lot lines to conform, where possible, to the hillsides, so the area will retain a lot of its natural beauty for homeowners to enjoy, and owners will be able to complement their lots and homes with anything they choose.
LAND AND LEGACY
Cody Hawes, Homer’s grandson and a business development expert, is pleased with Jimmy’s intentional design, which will retain the natural look of the place he grew up and worked on every day. “When my grandfather came here from Munday he bought so much land it might take an hour to get from one place to another on the ranch, even as we came down the middle of the lake to get there. I was always doing something on the land. As soon as I got out of school I was back at home working and ranching and I’m still taking care of it every day. I wouldn’t know how to live if I wasn’t outside.”
Cody says it will be nice to know something in Georgetown will largely remain the way it always was and has never shied from the duty to ensure it personally. He helped clear the property in the initial stages of Jimmy’s development and last July, he and his family provided equipment and resources to assist first responders during the San Gabriel wildfire.
Cody and his cousins also took it upon themselves to protect their land and that of their neighbors through perspicacity gained over a lifetime on the land. “Growing up, Georgetown was small and definitely a country life where neighbors look out for each other. There was no traffic and nothing to see on Williams Drive except maybe to wave at two or three people. We used to get to the lake on Bootys Road and as time went on and the lake opened we helped clear the land for the city to create different routes people now use to enjoy the water. My family and I will continue to live on part of the ranch by the lake and enjoy the view of Homer’s original homestead.”
Cody and Jimmy have been friends for many years and Cody says he knew, if the time came, Jimmy’s great work would bring confidence and comfort to his decision to sell and develop part of the land. “I still miss it a little, but the main thing is that Jimmy will preserve the natural beauty of the ranch as he builds homes.”
Cody Hawes
It was a big decision to develop the 364 acres and it was hard to do but I’m pleased that I’ll be able to drive by with my grandchildren and they will be able to picture the hillside and topography they way it always was.
Cody adds, as just one of the owners of the family land, there have been a few housing deals over the years but everyone always agreed that it was never meant for anything commercial.
Visit Grand Endeavor Homes for open house updates or contact a sales expert about available lots.