JDC
Johnson Development Corp is a privately-held, Houston-based master-planned community developer founded in 1975. It plans and develops large-scale residential and commercial communities across Texas and Atlanta, selling finished lots to leading national homebuilders and operating 22 active communities serving 200,000+ residents.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1975
- HeadquartersHouston, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What JDC does
Johnson Development Corp (JDC) is a privately-held master-planned community real estate developer founded in 1975 by Larry D. Johnson and headquartered in Houston, Texas. The firm plans, entitles, and develops large-scale, amenity-rich residential communities — 22 active master plans across Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Austin, and Atlanta — alongside integrated commercial developments totaling 16.7 million square feet. Its portfolio encompasses flagship communities such as Sienna (10,800 acres, 40,000 residents), Jubilee (Texas's first WELL Residence-certified community), Harvest Green (an agri-hood with a 12-acre working farm), Cross Creek West, Viridian, Trinity Falls, and the newly groundbreaking Cole Ranch in Denton.
JDC's core technology and product platform is the master-planned community model itself: coordinated land use planning, extensive amenity complexes (40+), 235+ miles of trails, 25+ on-site schools, and lifestyle programming led by "Directors of Fun." Differentiated features include WELL Residence certification, an AI-enabled CRM for marketing/sales/customer service, and the NewHomesBestSuburbs.com consumer platform. The company also operates Johnson Land Ventures (formerly Johnson Development Services), a wholly-owned subsidiary providing land venture management, which has delivered approximately $1 billion in infrastructure improvements and 10,000+ development lots.
JDC's revenue mechanics rely primarily on one-time lot sales to a stable of 10+ leading homebuilder partners (Perry Homes, David Weekley, Lennar, Toll Brothers, Highland Homes, Westin Homes, and others), supplemented by commercial real estate development and small YCFC community foundation fees collected from home sales since 1999. Pricing varies materially by community — for example, Cross Creek West homes start in the high $300s — while HOA and capitalization fees apply per community. Following founder Larry Johnson's death in January 2022, the firm continues to operate under President and CEO Michael J. Smith with 101–250 employees and a 200,000+ resident base across its communities.
JDC firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- JDC
- Legal name
- Johnson Development Corp.
- Website
- https://www.johnsondevelopment.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1975
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Johnson Development Corp is a privately-held, Houston-based master-planned community developer founded in 1975. It plans and develops large-scale residential and commercial communities across Texas and Atlanta, selling finished lots to leading national homebuilders and operating 22 active communities serving 200,000+ residents.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
JDC industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Master-Planned Community Development
- NAICS
- Land Subdivision (23721), Real Estate Property Managers (53131)
- SIC
- Land Subdividers & Developers (No Cemeteries) (6552), Real Estate Agents & Managers (For Others) (6531)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Residential Land Development & Subdivision Homebuilding (Build-to-Sell Communities) (IMAFABAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Land & Development Site Brokerage (BPAJABAG), Mixed-Use Property Management (BPAJAGAE)
Keywords
Where JDC is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Houston
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices4 records
Markets served
JDC business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations
Revenue model
- Lot Sales to Homebuilders: Johnson Development develops master-planned communities and sells finished lots to homebuilders who construct and sell homes to consumers. The company maintains long-term relationships with leading national and regional builders.
- Commercial Real Estate Development: Development of retail, dining, and commercial spaces within communities. The company has developed 16.7 million square feet of retail and commercial space, creating live-work-play environments.
- Community Foundation Fees: YCFC (Your Community Foundation Committee) collects small fees from home sales to support local projects, schools, non-profits, and community initiatives since 1999.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Cross Creek West homes starting in the high $300s |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Lake Arrowhead events pricing |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yoga classes at Lake Arrowhead |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
JDC product offering
Product offeringCore offering
JDC (Johnson Development Corp.) develops large-scale master-planned residential communities across Texas and Georgia, integrating residential lots, commercial real estate, on-site schools, and lifestyle amenities such as resort-style pools, fitness centers, trails, and community farms. The company sells finished lots to homebuilder partners including Perry Homes, David Weekley, Lennar, and Toll Brothers, develops commercial spaces for retail and service tenants, and operates a consumer-facing website (NewHomesBestSuburbs.com) and model home tours for prospective homebuyers.
Product overview
Johnson Development is a master-planned community real estate developer offering a portfolio of residential communities and commercial development across Texas and Georgia. The company operates through its core communities (including Jubilee, Sienna, Cross Creek West, Harvest Green, Woodforest, and others), supplemented by Johnson Land Ventures for land venture management and commercial development services. Amenity complexes and lifestyle programming (including Director of Fun lifestyle directors) are integral to community living. The company also provides the NewHomesBestSuburbs.com platform for homebuyers.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Jubilee Texas's first wellness community in Hockley, Texas, integrating healthier homes with reverse-osmosis water filters, advanced air purification, circadian rhythm lighting, and holistic amenities including Reflection, Inspiration, Exploration and Connection Zones. 125 homes achieved WELL Residence certification.
- Sienna Fort Bend County's largest master-planned community spanning 10,800 acres with 40,000 residents, featuring 8 on-site Fort Bend ISD schools, over 3,000 acres of parkland, lakes, golf courses, and 30+ parks.
- Cross Creek West Award-winning community in Fulshear, Texas with top-rated schools and a diverse line-up of homebuilders including Perry Homes, Westin Homes, Newmark Homes, Coventry Homes, Highland Homes, Ravenna Homes, and Village Builders. Homes starting in the high $300s on 45, 50, 55, and 60 homesites.
- Harvest Green First agri-hood in the Houston area with a 12-acre working farm, Veggie Share program, Farm Club, and 75+ annual events, featuring The Slice and Farmhouse Recreation Center amenities.
- Woodforest 3,000-acre community in Montgomery, Texas near The Woodlands and Lake Conroe with Forest Island (16-acre tennis and aquatics center), The Vue at The Crest Park, and Pine Market commercial hub.
- Grange 1,130-acre master-planned community in Katy, Texas inspired by Katy's rice farming heritage, featuring the planned Ricestead amenity complex and zoned to Katy ISD.
- Lake Arrowhead Gated 540-acre lake community in Waleska, Georgia with 20+ miles of shoreline, depths over 80 feet, 18 miles of hiking trails, pools, and a championship golf course.
- Viridian 2,300-acre community in Arlington, Texas with 500 acres of lakes, rivers, wetlands, connections to River Legacy Park and Living Science Center, and a vibrant town square.
- Trinity Falls 2,000-acre master-planned community in McKinney, Texas featuring trails, green spaces, lakes, wildlife, and engaging amenities.
- Kresston 1,400-acre community in Magnolia, Texas named after the hometown of founder Larry Johnson, featuring The Boot House amenity center and the planned Liberty Junction complex.
- Grand Central Park Master-planned community in Conroe, Texas featuring The Lake House resort-style pool, fitness center, event lawn, and Six Lakes including the 88-acre Grand Lake.
- Jordan Ranch 1,350-acre community in Fulshear, Texas with The Shed Amenity Center featuring a pool with lazy river, farm produce, and event spaces. Named Best Community of the Year by GHBA and Houston Chronicle.
- Riverstone 3,860-acre community in Fort Bend, Texas with resort-style pools, over 200 acres of lakes, 500 acres dedicated to open spaces, and a mix of townhomes to custom homes.
- Cole Ranch 3,100-acre master-planned community in Denton, Texas west of Interstate 35W, preserving 1,200 acres of green space with 26 miles of trails, 32-acre and 13-acre lakes, 156 acres of commercial development, and planned schools.
- The George 1,500-acre master-planned community at FM 2977 and Koeblen Road in Richmond, Texas, zoned to Lamar CISD, with J. Patrick Homes among the homebuilders.
- Commercial Development Development of commercial spaces within master-planned communities including retail, dining, services, and workplaces totaling 16.7 million square feet across Johnson Development communities, creating live-work-play environments for tenants and residents.
- Johnson Land Ventures Affiliate providing land venture management services including pre-acquisition due diligence, operation management, and sales. Renamed from Johnson Development Services in 2025 to reflect deepened land venture management services. Has delivered approximately $1 billion in infrastructure improvements and more than 10,000 development lots.
Quantifiable outcome
- 200,000+ residents served across communities
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use JDC
Customer profileNamed customers15 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
JDC technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
JDC partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- International Well Building Institute (IWBI)coreIWBI awarded 125 homes in Jubilee with WELL Residence certifications, making it the first community in Texas to achieve this certification. This partnership signifies health and resilience standards supported by health-focused features and sustainability practices.
Scale indicators13 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
JDC competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Meritage Homes: Publicly-traded homebuilder with entry-level and energy-efficient focus, active in Texas, Arizona, and the Southeast. Both a potential JDC lot buyer and a peer in MPC-adjacent homebuilding.
- Taylor Morrison: Top-5 US homebuilder with significant Texas MPC operations including active-adult (Taylor Morrison Living) communities. Operates both as a JDC builder partner and a vertically-integrated competitor.
- D.R. Horton: Largest US homebuilder with significant Texas presence and Forestar land-development subsidiary. Both a customer and a vertically-integrated competitor in Texas MPC land and homebuilding.
- Toll Brothers: National luxury homebuilder and active adult developer that also develops master-planned communities (e.g., Sienna 55+ with JDC). Both a customer (lot buyer in JDC communities) and adjacent developer in MPC space.
Direct peers
- Five Point Holdings: Publicly-traded master-planned community developer with Great Park Neighborhoods (Irvine) and other California MPCs. Closely comparable business model of large-scale, mixed-use MPC development with significant amenity investment.
- Forestar Group: D.R. Horton subsidiary focused on residential land acquisition and development. A direct competitor in Texas MPC land sourcing and entitlement, with similar lot-sale revenue model to third-party builders.
- Shea Homes: Private homebuilder and master-planned community developer active in Arizona, California, and Texas. Develops Trilogy active-adult MPCs — comparable mix of homebuilder and MPC development operations.
- Howard Hughes Holdings: Publicly-traded master-planned community developer operating The Woodlands (Houston), Bridgeland, Summerlin (Las Vegas), and other MPCs. Closest publicly comparable peer in business model — develops and sells MPC land/lots with long-cycle capital-intensive infrastructure investment.
Emerging players
- Tri Pointe Homes: Publicly-traded homebuilder with growing Texas presence through Maracay and other brands. Both a customer and a smaller-scale competitor in select Texas MPCs.
- Century Communities: Publicly-traded affordable and move-up homebuilder with significant Texas volume. Likely customer in JDC's entry-level and mid-price communities such as Jubilee and Cross Creek West.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
JDC social profiles
Digital presenceJDC financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
JDC leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles14 records
JDC subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
JDC funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
JDC M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about JDC
What does JDC do?
JDC (Johnson Development Corp.) develops large-scale master-planned residential communities across Texas and Georgia, integrating residential lots, commercial real estate, on-site schools, and lifestyle amenities such as resort-style pools, fitness centers, trails, and community farms. The company sells finished lots to homebuilder partners including Perry Homes, David Weekley, Lennar, and Toll Brothers, develops commercial spaces for retail and service tenants, and operates a consumer-facing website (NewHomesBestSuburbs.com) and model home tours for prospective homebuyers.
Is JDC a public or private company?
JDC is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was JDC founded?
JDC was founded in 1975. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is JDC based?
JDC is headquartered in Houston, United States, in the North America region.
How does JDC make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Lot Sales to Homebuilders are the primary driver. The others are commercial Real Estate Development and community Foundation Fees.
Who are JDC's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Meritage Homes, Taylor Morrison, D.R. Horton and Toll Brothers. Direct peers are Five Point Holdings, Forestar Group, Shea Homes and Howard Hughes Holdings. Emerging players are Tri Pointe Homes and Century Communities.
Does JDC have an API?
No public API is recorded for JDC.
What industry is JDC in?
JDC's product category is Master-Planned Community Development. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAFABAL, Residential Land Development & Subdivision Homebuilding (Build-to-Sell Communities), with a secondary code of BPAJABAG, Land & Development Site Brokerage. Its NAICS code is 23721 and its SIC code is 6552.