As a college student in New Orleans, Trace Jurica’s imagination was sparked by the city’s colorful, walkable neighborhoods. Later on, he was inspired by Mueller in Austin, South Main in Colorado, and Andres Duany’s book Suburban Nation.
In 2006, Jurica purchased a 66-acre parcel in the middle of New Braunfels, Texas, a town of 60,000 people located between San Antonio and Austin. Dallas-based Gateway Planning Group helped him achieve his vision for a New Urbanist community, Town Creek. Jurica is co-founder, and his company, Jurica Builders, is building the first homes.
“We did a full-blown charrette that involved all the neighbors and stakeholders,” he says. Construction started in 2009. Sales were initially slow, but the project gained momentum and Jurica sold out the first phase of 30 single-family homes. These “cottages” range from approximately 2,000 to 2,700 square feet and are priced from the high $200,000s to the mid-$300,000s.
“We’ve got the whole spectrum of homebuyers—everything from retirees at the one end down to young singles,” he says.
Town Creek will also offer townhouses and condominiums (a rarity in that area); a restaurant; a gym; and retail and office space. But Jurica views historic downtown New Braunfels, which is within walking distance, as the community’s biggest amenity.
Read more about Traditional Neighborhood Development in Professional Builder's feature article, "Traditional Neighborhood Development: Learning From the Past, Present, and Future."
The single-family homes at Town Creek are built on 40-foot-wide lots—small for New Braunfels, Texas, but builder/developer Trace Jurica has sold all 30 homes in phase one. “We have sidewalks everywhere,” Jurica says. “You don’t see that in a lot of places around here.” Photos: Jason Risner
This site map of Town Creek shows the location of a planned light-rail line. The community includes single-family homes, townhouses, lofts, live/work spaces, office and retail space, and parks, and is within a 10-minute walk of downtown New Braunfels. Site map: TBG
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