Northlake’s Master-Planned Communities: A Buyer’s Overview
What are Northlake, TX’s master-planned communities like?
Northlake sits in southern Denton County near the Alliance corridor, and its housing market is defined by large master-planned communities — led by Pecan Square and Harvest, both by Hillwood. Pecan Square alone spans about 1,200 acres with roughly 3,100 planned homes from mid-$300,000s to more than $1 million, nine builders, resort-style amenities, and on-site schools. Here’s a buyer’s overview of how these communities work.
By The Chad Smith Team | September 16, 2026
If you’re shopping in Northlake, you’re mostly shopping master-planned communities. This fast-growing Denton County town near I-35W and the Alliance area has become one of North Texas’s most active new-home markets, and the experience of buying here is different from buying a one-off resale.
Here’s a plain overview of what these communities offer, how to compare them, and what to keep in mind before you buy.
What “master-planned” actually means for you
A master-planned community is designed from the ground up — streets, parks, trails, amenity centers, and sometimes schools are laid out before the first home is built. Multiple builders construct homes within the plan, so you get variety in floor plans and price points inside a single, cohesive neighborhood.
For buyers, that translates into a few consistent features:
• Amenities you share — pools, parks, trails, fitness spaces, and gathering spots maintained by the HOA.
• An HOA and dues — mandatory, funding those amenities and community upkeep.
• Builder choice — several builders in one community, each with different plans, finishes, and price bands.
• Phased growth — the community fills in over years, so you may live alongside active construction for a while.
Pecan Square: the flagship
The community most buyers ask about is Pecan Square by Hillwood. It’s large and amenity-rich:
• Roughly 1,200 acres with about 3,100 homes planned at buildout.
• Around nine builders, with homes ranging from the mid-$300,000s to more than $1 million.
• Resort-style pools, parks and trails, a fitness center, and a central Town Square that hosts community events.
• Distinctive shared spaces like a co-working building and an event pavilion, reflecting a focus on technology and walkability.
• On-site schools within the community, with additional campuses opening as the area grows.
Pecan Square has collected industry recognition as a master-planned community, which speaks to the scale and quality of the amenity package. It sits about a mile west of I-35W and FM 407, keeping it connected to the Alliance employment corridor and the wider Metroplex.
Harvest: the agrihood alternative
The other major name in Northlake is Harvest, also by Hillwood. Harvest is built around an “agrihood” concept — a community organized around working community gardens and farm space, with the usual master-planned amenities layered in: pools, trails, event spaces, and a calendar of neighborhood programming.
Harvest appeals to buyers who like the idea of green space and community gardening as a central feature rather than an afterthought. Like Pecan Square, it spans multiple phases and builders across a range of price points.
How to compare Northlake communities
When you’re deciding between master-planned options in Northlake, compare on these points rather than just the model home:
1. Price bands and builders — Which builders are active, and where do their base prices start? The same community can span mid-$300,000s to seven figures.
2. HOA dues and what they cover — Get the exact monthly or annual figure and the amenity list in writing.
3. Amenity fit — Pools and trails are common; the differences are in the extras like co-working space, event venues, or community farms.
4. Phase and location within the community — An early phase near the amenity center lives differently than a later phase on the edge. Ask what’s built, what’s coming, and when.
5. Commute — All of Northlake leans on I-35W. Drive your actual commute at the time you’d travel before committing.
If you’re weighing a brand-new build against an existing home elsewhere, our guide to new construction versus resale in North Texas breaks down the trade-offs that apply here too.
What to keep in mind before you buy
A few practical realities of buying in a Northlake master-planned community:
• Denton County taxes plus special districts — Northlake is in Denton County, and many master-planned communities include a MUD or PID that adds to your tax bill to fund infrastructure. Always confirm the total tax rate — including any district — on a specific home, not just the county base rate.
• HOA dues are ongoing — Budget them alongside your mortgage and taxes from day one.
• Living with construction — In an active phase, expect ongoing building nearby until the community fills in.
• Builder incentives shift — New-home pricing, rate buydowns, and closing-cost help change with the market. Get current terms in writing, and know that having your own agent represent you at the builder’s table costs you nothing.
For commute planning across the region, our DFW commute times overview is a helpful starting point. And first-time buyers should check whether they qualify for assistance through the best first-time home buyer programs in Dallas-Fort Worth.
The bottom line
Northlake is a master-planned market, and communities like Pecan Square and Harvest offer a lot of amenity and a wide range of price points in one place. The keys to buying well here are understanding the full cost — mortgage, taxes with any special districts, and HOA dues — and choosing the community and phase that fit how you actually want to live.
That comparison is exactly the kind of thing we help buyers work through, including representing you at the builder’s table so someone’s looking out for your side of the deal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main master-planned communities in Northlake, TX?
The two largest are Pecan Square and Harvest, both developed by Hillwood. Pecan Square spans about 1,200 acres with roughly 3,100 planned homes and nine builders, while Harvest is built around an “agrihood” concept centered on community gardens and farm space.
How much do homes in Northlake’s master-planned communities cost?
In Pecan Square, homes range from the mid-$300,000s to more than $1 million depending on builder, floor plan, and lot. Harvest spans a similar range of price points across its phases. Exact current pricing shifts with the market and builder incentives.
What county is Northlake in, and are there special tax districts?
Northlake is in Denton County. Many master-planned communities there include a MUD or PID that adds to your property tax bill to fund infrastructure, so always confirm the total tax rate — including any district — on the specific home you’re considering.
Do Northlake communities have HOA dues?
Yes. Master-planned communities are funded by mandatory HOA dues that pay for the shared amenities and upkeep. Get the exact dues amount and the list of what it covers in writing before you buy, and budget it alongside your mortgage and taxes.
Should I use my own agent when buying new construction in Northlake?
Yes. The builder’s sales representative works for the builder, not for you. Bringing your own agent to represent your interests typically costs you nothing and gives you someone advocating on price, incentives, and contract terms.
Exploring Northlake’s communities?
Northlake’s master-planned communities offer a lot of choice, and the right fit depends on your budget, your commute, and the lifestyle you want. If you’d like help comparing Pecan Square, Harvest, and the other options — and having someone on your side at the builder’s table — we’re happy to walk you through it. Reach out anytime.
About The Chad Smith Team
The Chad Smith Team at Realty of America is one of the top-producing real estate teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, with more than 22 years of experience, 2,915 homes sold, and recognition by RealTrends among the top 1% of real estate professionals nationwide. The team helps first-time buyers, sellers, relocation clients, and new construction buyers throughout Arlington, Mansfield, Fort Worth, Midlothian, Waxahachie, and surrounding DFW communities. Through this blog, the Chad Smith Team shares expert market insights and practical advice to help North Texas buyers and sellers make informed real estate decisions.
