The Woodlands Township shares the following press release from Howard Hughes.
The Woodlands® Launches Yearlong Celebration to Honor 50 Years of Excellence, Culminating with Grand Community Celebration on October 19, 2024 Award-Winning Community Honors Vision of Founder George P. Mitchell
THE WOODLANDS, TX - (October 17, 2023) – The Woodlands®, one of the most successful master planned communities in the nation, today launched a yearlong celebration of festivities leading up to a grand celebration on October 19, 2024—exactly 50 years to the date of its official opening. Jim Carman, President, Houston Region for Howard Hughes and Dr. Ann Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Woodlands Township, presided over a kickoff announcement marking half a century of sustainable development that brought together current and founding leaders at The Woodlands® Towers at The Waterway.
Founded by entrepreneur and philanthropist George P. Mitchell, the 28,500-acre, 44.5-square-mile community reflects his innovative approach to urban planning and community development that embodied environmental preservation and social consciousness. A wooded oasis of modern living approximately 27 miles north of downtown Houston, The Woodlands is home to more than 120,000 residents, 2,400 employers and nearly 67,000 employees who enjoy an unparalleled quality of life.
“Decades ago, my father, the optimist, envisioned a vibrant community carved out of the forest, living with respect for the natural environment and for one another,” said Grant Mitchell, son of George Mitchell and Cynthia Woods Mitchell. “Its success 50 years on is the product of tens of thousands of individuals who have stewarded his values, affirming his undying belief in the fundamental goodness in people. And it is through that goodness that the legacy of these first 50 years will be assured for generations to come.”
George Mitchell was a pioneer who first envisioned The Woodlands as a self-sustaining, vibrant community where residents could live, work, learn, and play, fully integrated into a naturally forested and preserved environment.
“Howard Hughes continues to be guided by the vision of George Mitchell as we carry his legacy into the future—one that balances a cohesive spirit of community and environmental stewardship with growth and innovation,” said Carman. “Many of our employees worked alongside George Mitchell and helped first-hand to bring his extraordinary vision to life. At Howard Hughes, we are long-term, committed community builders and are proud to see The Woodlands continually ranked as one of the best communities to live in America.”
The community’s many notable stakeholders have come together in preparation for The Woodlands 50th anniversary.
“The true beauty of the 50th anniversary of The Woodlands is our hometown’s ‘generosity of spirit’ and belief in the good of fellow neighbors that was instilled in the beginning,” reflected Snyder. “The Woodlands Township is committed to its vision of supporting a thriving business community and a premier destination for visitors – a place where generations live, work, worship, learn and play.”
The significant milestone will be marked by many celebratory events, including the publication of a collection of photographs to be released next year. Residents of The Woodlands are encouraged to submit original photography for consideration for inclusion in the book at TheWoodlands.com
Merchandise sales with a special 50th anniversary logo will be sold by Interfaith of The Woodlands, the longest established nonprofit organization in the community, with proceeds benefiting the social services agency. Merchandise is available online at The Woodlands.com, starting today.
Stories, articles, blogs, and videos to memorialize the community over time will be captured on TheWoodlands.com, along with other photos, special announcements, and event details. Residents are encouraged to sign up for The Woodlands e-newsletter here, and to follow The Woodlands on Facebook, Instagram and X.
Howard Hughes, the developer of The Woodlands, is the founding sponsor of the yearlong celebration, along with legacy sponsor Woodforest National Bank, heritage sponsor Waste Connections Inc., gold sponsors Entergy Texas, Houston Methodist The Woodlands Hospital, and silver sponsors SVN/J Beard Real Estate and The John Cooper School. Bronze sponsors include IAS Wealth Management, Lone Star College, Memorial Hermann The Woodlands Medical Center, Market Street, Murphy Private Wealth Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, St. Luke's Health/The Woodlands, The Michael Richmond Family, The Strong Firm, The Woodlands Christian Academy, Winstead PC and Wright Business Technologies, Inc.
IAS Wealth Management. The Woodlands Township is a supporting partner.
For more information, visit www.TheWoodlands.com.
About The Woodlands®
The Woodlands, a 28,500-acre award-winning master planned community located 27 miles north of downtown Houston, was recognized two consecutive years, 2022 and 2021, as the #1 Best Community to Live in America by Niche. The Woodlands offers an unprecedented 28% of green space, leading the way among master planned communities that practice environmental preservation. It is home to 120,000 people, and nearly 67,000 people work in the community. The Woodlands has received numerous past accolades including the Vision Award, Development of Distinction from the Urban Land Institute; three-time honoree of “Master Planned Community of the Year,” four-time recipient of “Humanitarian of the Year” and “Trailblazer of the Year” in 2018 by the Greater Houston Builders Association; American Trails Developer Award; Environmental Planning Award from the American Society of Landscape Architects, Texas Chapter Houston Section. The Woodlands is a community of Howard Hughes, which supports over 180 local causes in the Houston region through its HHCares program. For more information, visit www.thewoodlands.com. For additional details, find us on Facebook and Instagram and X.
About Howard Hughes Holdings Inc.
Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. owns, manages, and develops commercial, residential, and mixed-use real estate throughout the U.S. Its award-winning assets include the country’s preeminent portfolio of master planned communities, as well as operating properties and development opportunities including: the Seaport in New York City; Downtown Columbia® in Maryland; The Woodlands®, Bridgeland® and The Woodlands Hills® in the Greater Houston, Texas area; Summerlin® in Las Vegas; Ward Village® in Honolulu, Hawaiʻi; and Teravalis™ in the Greater Phoenix, Arizona area. The Howard Hughes portfolio is strategically positioned to meet and accelerate development based on market demand, resulting in one of the strongest real estate platforms in the country. Dedicated to innovative placemaking, the company is recognized for its ongoing commitment to design excellence and to the cultural life of its communities. Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange as HHH. For additional information visit www.howardhughes.com.
About The Woodlands Township
The Woodlands Township is a special purpose district, providing fire protection, environmental services, parks and recreation, economic development, enhanced law enforcement services and more to over 120,000 residents and 2,000 businesses. Located 27 miles north of Houston, Texas, The Woodlands Township is committed to supporting the highest quality of life for its residents, businesses and visitors. Please visit www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov to learn more.
Media Contacts:
Howard Hughes
Lorrie Parise
281-719-6344
lorrie.parise@howardhughes.com
Kim Phillips
281-719-6174
kim.phillips@howardhughes.com
PHOTO: Jim Carman (left), President, Houston Region for Howard Hughes, and Dr. Ann Snyder (center), Chairman of the Board of Directors for The Woodlands Township, presided over The Woodlands 50th Anniversary kickoff announcement marking a half a century of vision, innovation and excellence as well as a promising future. The event brought together current and founding leaders, including Grant Mitchell (right), son of Cynthia and George Mitchell, Founder of The Woodlands.