1,850 Home Community Breaks Ground North of Austin

AUSTIN – (Realty News Report) – Houston-based Johnson Development has broken ground on Freely, a new master planned community that will bring 1,850 homes to the former Chapman Ranch land in Liberty Hill near Austin.

Located about 40 miles north of downtown Austin, the nature-focused Texas Hill Country community will span 762 acres along the North Fork of the San Gabriel River. Freely will be Johnson Development’s second community in the Austin area, following the completion of Bryson in Leander last year.

“Freely is a special property and we’ve been excited about its possibilities from the beginning,” said Tommy Tucker, Johnson Development’s Vice President of Business Development for Central and North Texas. “With 1.5 miles of river frontage, we have an incredible opportunity to create a community that embraces its natural surroundings and offers residents a distinctive outdoor lifestyle. Its proximity to major employers and access to Liberty Hill ISD offers a compelling combination of location, lifestyle and natural beauty.”

Johnson acquired the land at 680 E. County Road 202 near the Highway 183A toll road extension in Williamson County from Bill Chapman and his partners and Heath Chapman in 2025. The groundbreaking was held on Oct. 22.

Freely will offer river access, more than 250 acres of open space, and miles of trails. Kandis Rushing, Freely Marketing Director, envisions the river as a place for volunteer work, education workshops, and more.

“Cultivating an appreciation of the river and the landscape around it is very much a part of our development plan,” Rushing said. “We also expect to offer a river camp kind of experience with boat rentals, fly fishing and other outdoor activities.”

Planned amenities include 7.5-acre amenity center with a clubhouse and fitness center, a resort-style pool, splash pad, pickleball courts, and a playground. Residents will also have access to a stocked fishing pond and pocket parks throughout the community.

Freely will be zoned to Liberty Hill Elementary School, Liberty Hill Middle School, and Liberty Hill High School. The developer has set aside 15 acres in Freely for an onsite elementary school.

Six builders will offer homes on lots ranging from 45 to 70 feet wide in Freely. Prices have not been set.

The builders include David Weekley Homes, DRB Homes, Empire, Meritage Homes, Scott Felder Homes, and Westin Homes. Builders are expected to begin building model homes in fall 2027. The community is expected to hold its grand opening in spring of 2028.

Boilerplate: Founded by Larry Johnson in 1975, Johnson Development has more than 20 active communities throughout Texas and in the Atlanta area. In the Houston area, Johnson Development’s Sienna and Jordan Ranch are among the nation’s top 50 master planned communities, according to RCLCO. The active communities represent more than 80,000 residential units and 16.7 million square feet of retail and commercial space on 47,500 acres.

Feature image: The groundbreaking at Freely, a planned community in Liberty Hill, on Oct. 22, 2026. Johnson Development courtesy photo.

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