In a recent post on LinkedIn, Gregg Logan reflected on “10-Year Trends in Top-Selling MPCs,” pulling back the curtain on what distinguishes the nation’s most successful master-planned communities — even in a challenging environment. LinkedIn+1
We've distilled the article down to sme key takeaways, along with what those insights mean for developers — including projects like the ones behind the communities in our Denscty Collective Clients.
Structural resilience, despite macro headwinds
Over the past decade, top-selling MPCs have delivered strong growth, outperforming the broader new-home market.
Dominance of Florida and Texas — ~70% of Top-50 MPC sales
About 70 % of the sales among the top 50 MPCs come from Florida and Texas combined.
Certain metros consistently lead
Regions such as Houston, Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa/Sarasota/Bradenton, Phoenix, and Las Vegas repeatedly appear as top-performing markets.
Repeat top-performers — scale, brand, segmentation, amenities
Communities like The Villages, Lakewood Ranch, and Summerlin consistently occupy top spots. Their success is rooted in: enduring brand identity, economies of scale, strategic buyer-segment focus (e.g., move-up buyers, empty-nesters, active-adult, “missing-middle” homes), and heavy investment in amenities.
Diversified housing types & price points broaden the buyer funnel
Top MPCs aren’t just building big houses. They’re offering a range of product types — smaller detached houses, attached homes, and even single-family rentals (SFR) — so they can attract a wider swath of buyers.
Amenities, open-space, mixed-use components increasingly matter
Communities that deliver walkability, curated amenities, open space, and often a commercial/mixed-use component (not just residential) have competitive advantage.
In hard economic conditions, amenity-rich planning helps stand out
With higher interest rates and limited affordability, top MPCs lean on amenity-driven value — lifestyle, convenience, and community — to differentiate themselves.
Buying land and building houses is only half the equation. Communities that succeed long-term build a brand around lifestyle, identity, and segmentation. From active-adult to missing-middle, offering a portfolio of housing types — and pairing them with thoughtful amenities — attracts a broader buyer base.
Given today's economic uncertainty and demographic shifts, a MPC that only targets upscale move-up buyers may be too narrow. Including smaller-footprint homes, attached housing, and SFR increases resilience — especially if affordability becomes a constraint.
Walkability, open spaces, mixed-use retail or commercial, recreation — these are becoming expected features, not luxuries. In a competitive market, they help create compelling lifestyle offerings that set communities apart.
The most successful MPCs have brand longevity, disciplined execution, and strategic segmentation. That means committing to the long view—planning for multiple buyer segments, building infrastructure thoughtfully, and resisting the temptation to treat master-planning as a short-term build-and-flip.
Florida and Texas have dominated top-selling MPC sales, but that doesn’t mean other regions can’t succeed. For developers outside those states (like many of us), the blueprint — brand, segmentation, amenity-rich, mixed-use — remains relevant. It may require more strategic execution, but the formula can work widely.
In an era of economic headwinds, shifting affordability, and evolving buyer demands — it is not just about building houses. It’s about building communities.
If developers (us included) commit to diverse housing types, amenity-rich planning, long-term brand building, and flexibility, we can position ourselves not just to weather market cycles — but to thrive through them.