The Terrell City Council approved the first construction plat for the Terra Nova development on April 14, allowing Main Square Development to begin work on a $3 billion, 1,500-acre master-planned community in Kaufman County.
The decision marks a significant step forward for one of the largest residential projects in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. The project is expected to bring thousands of new homes and amenities to a region experiencing rapid growth.
The initial phase will cover about 159 acres in northern Terrell near Griffith Avenue and County Road 245. Plans include building 423 residential lots and 26 non-residential parcels, as well as infrastructure such as an amenity center and a new roadway called Wagon Wheel Drive that will connect to Poetry Road. This early work is intended to anchor future phases of development.
When completed, Terra Nova is planned to feature approximately 3,600 single-family homes, 1,200 apartments, and around 145 acres dedicated to parks and trails. The full buildout is expected over more than a dozen phases across two decades. While Main Square Development has not released detailed plans or named its homebuilder partners yet, it previously indicated that announcements would come later this year. Groundbreaking on model homes is anticipated in early 2027.
Last year, the project overcame rezoning challenges amid concerns from residents about its size and potential impact on local infrastructure. Terrell currently has about 23,000 residents but sits within Kaufman County—one of the fastest-growing counties of its size nationwide with nearly 200,000 people. Developers are increasingly targeting this area due to available land and demand for affordable housing options.
Terra Nova represents part of a broader trend where builders pursue opportunities at the edge of metropolitan areas while buyers seek more affordable living outside city centers.
