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Representative Client Projects

 

The Watson Firm has decades of experience guiding sophisticated real estate projects from inception to completion. We are proud of our work and honored to be associated with some of the most prestigious communities across the country. Below is a representative sampling of the work we’ve done on behalf of our clients.

Master-Planned Communities

Fields

Fields, a $10 billion master-planned community in Frisco, Texas.

Client: FHQ Development Partners LP

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Sale of 97-acre plot of land for Universal Studios theme park and hotel
  • Sale of two large parcels to homebuilder John Landon of Landon Homes for the construction of more than 1,200 homes 
  • Sale of land Taylor Morrison Homes to build almost 500 single-family homes 
  • Sale of land for an industrial venture


Lariat
 

Lariat, a 688-acre master-planned community in Liberty Hill, Texas.

Client: Randolph Texas Development

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Negotiation of first acquisition contract, including due diligence, closing on the land, negotiation of required offsite utility easements, and project financing
  • Negotiated construction contract for $5.5 million amenity center
  • Negotiation of 12-acre site sold to Liberty Hill ISD
  • Sale of land for development of 1,063 lots to three homebuilders
  • Acted as developer’s counsel in bond transaction;
  • Negotiated several builder contracts for sales in Phase 2 of Lariat;
  • Represented our client as buyer in contract negotiations for two large acreage projects.

Karis

A master-planned community in Crowley, Texas.

The Watson Firm is excited to be part of the team developing Karis, a new master planned community that is the first of its kind in the City of Crowley, Texas. Construction of the single-family homes in the first phase of Karis are now underway.

The new 565-acre community is planned to have 2,025 homes, nature trails, neighborhood parks, a lifestyle center, and new elementary school that is part of the Crowley Independent School District.

The Watson Firm assisted with the following:

  • Acquisition of the 565 acres from the Bauer family;
  • Builder lot contracts for the sale of the approximately 326 single-family lots planned for Phase 1;
  • Equity and debt financing for Phase 1, and seller financing for the future phases.

Whitecap NPI

Whitecap NPI, an approximately 242-acre mixed-use community in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas.

Client: International Bank of Commerce (Diamond Beach Holdings, LLC), Ashlar Development

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of approx. 40-acre neighboring tract in 2022
  • Project-level agreements, including lot reservation agreements, production builder, custom builder, and individual homeowner purchase and sale agreements, and development-related documents; coordination of residential HOA formation, CCR preparation, boat club matters; coordination of ILSA filing; matters related to commercial development, hotel and amenities, realty company, short-term rental program

Rudman (Wildridge Expansion)

Rudman Tract, an approximately 122-acre mixed-use tract in Oak Point, Denton County, Texas.

Client: Ashlar Development

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of approx. 122-acre tract in 2022
  • Project-level agreements, including builder purchase and sale agreements, development-related documents, CCR amendments and HOA relationship; coordination with City on PID and other matters; matters related to commercial development

Connerton 

Connerton, a 4,800-acre master-planned community in Land ’O Lakes, Pasco County, Florida.

Client: Hayman Woods

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Builder Agreements, development agreements, venture negotiations, construction and consulting agreements
  • Sale of majority of remaining project to Lennar Homes in 2018

Crown 

Crown, a mixed-use development in Gaithersburg, Maryland, consisting of approximately 2,250 residential units and approximately 330,000 square feet of retail.

Client: Westbrook Partners

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • The preparation and negotiation of contracts, agreements and other documents relating to builder programs
  • The preparation and negotiation of construction contracts and consulting contracts with contractors and design professionals, commercial sale contracts, homeowners association matters
  • Various additional development and corporate matters

The Groves 

The Groves, an approximately 991-acre master-planned community in Humble, Harris County, Texas.

Client: Ashlar Development/Castlelake (previously Crescent Communities)

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of raw land in 2012
  • Builder purchase and sale agreements, development financing, preparation of CCRs and formation of HOA, relationship with MUD, early stages of sale and development of mixed-use portions of project, including daycare, multi-family, and retail sites
  • Sale of project by client Crescent Communities to Ashlar Development/Castlelake in 2017. Retained by Ashlar/Castlelake to continue representation

Marina Heights/Sea Haven 

Marina Heights/Sea Haven, A master-planned community spread over 248 acres on the former site of the Fort Ord U.S. Army Base, Monterey California.

Client: Westbrook Partners/Stanford University

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • The development, construction, and sale of single family attached, and detached homes, as well as raw land, joint venture agreements, development management agreements
  • Various additional development and corporate matters

Nichols Vale 

Nichols Vale, Mt. Juliet, Wilson County, Tennessee

Client: Ashlar Development/Castlelake

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of the ongoing development in 2018
  • Project-level agreements, including builder purchase and sale agreements, development related documents, homeowners association matters, development financing

Orange Blossom 

Orange Blossom, Collier County, Florida

Client: Rockpoint

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Preparation and negotiation of contracts, agreements and other documents relating to the acquisition of approximately 300 acres
  • Continued representation includes lot sales contracts, development matters and CDD bond issuance matter

Riverset

Riverset, Garland, Texas

Client: Wilbow Corporation

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of 111 acres in 2018
  • 380 Agreement
  • Development and sales agreements for townhomes and single-family, detached homes

Wildridge 

Wildridge, a master-planned community in Oak Point, Denton County, Texas.

Client: Ashlar Development/Castlelake (previously Crescent Communities)

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of the project, joint venture documents, builder contracts, development financing, CC&Rs and HOA formation, MUD and PID matters, and corporate matters
  • Sale of project by client Crescent Communities to Ashlar Development/Castlelake in 2017. Retained by Ashlar/Castlelake to continue representation

Willowsford 

Willowsford, a master-planned community in Northern Virginia

Client: Rockpoint

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Acquisition of the original land
  • Creation of legal structure and documentation
  • Sale to NVR, creation of legal structure and documentation

 

Multi-Family & Condominium Projects

Arlington Commons 

Arlington Commons, a multifamily development located in Arlington, Texas, that is planned to include approximately 1,600 units in four phases.

Client: The Nehemiah Company

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Initial acquisition of project (three separate, existing apartment complexes)
  • Negotiation and formation of joint ventures to own and develop the separate phases of the project
  • Debt finance, negotiate loan documents
  • GC Agreements, architects agreements, miscellaneous construction and development agreements
  • Sale of Phase One (365 units) to the Praedium Group in 2018

The Harland West Hollywood

The Harland West Hollywood, condominium project located in West Hollywood, California, containing 49 luxury residences.

Client: Westbrook Partners

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Prepare and negotiate contracts with architect and other design professionals
  • Sales and marketing agreements
  • Other development matters

950 Gough 

950 Gough, condominium project located in San Francisco, California, containing 95 luxury residences.

Client: Westbrook Partners

The Watson Firm’s role:

  • Prepare and negotiate contracts with architect and other design professional
  • Construction-related agreements and sales and marketing agreements
  • Other development matters

 

Miscellaneous

Recreational Vehicle and Manufactured Home communities, in acquisitions and various legal documents including CCRs

 

Rolling V

Rolling V, an approximately 3,441 acre parcel in Wise County, Texas 

Client:  Threshold Development

Watson Firm’s Role:

  • Project level representation
  • Sale of the land to major residential developer

 

Multi-Project Sales

Representation of Crescent Communities, in sale of three master-planned communities located in the DFW, Austin and Houston markets

Representation of Castlelake in the sale of multiple master planned communities to a large private equity group.

 

Builders

Representation of Toll Brothers, in development-related matters in Texas

 

Technology Companies

Representation of OpenDoor, in Texas broker operations, sales documentation, operational matters and debt financin