In March 2025, Greg Wattson joined The Signorelli Company as Senior Vice President of Commercial Development.
A major part of his role is to oversee the commercial development at Austin Point, a transformative new mixed-use community and the largest such development to be announced in Fort Bend County, Texas, in over 40 years. Located at the crossroads of the planned Fort Bend Parkway and Grand Parkway extensions, Austin Point will create the new “Main and Main”. This presents an opportunity to develop a thriving economic hub, and a premier destination for innovation and growth.
Offering 17 million square feet of commercial opportunity alone, Austin Point serves as a forever home for businesses who want to establish themselves in a dynamic and fast-growing region. Over $1 billion in tax abatements and economic incentives are available to attract companies of all sizes, offering unparalleled economic advantages for corporations, startups and entrepreneurs alike.
This isn’t speculative – The Signorelli Company has already proven this model works given the firm’s experience behind Valley Ranch. Another massive undertaking in the works, the firm has transformed a once-overlooked region into Greater Houston’s highest-trafficked outdoor shopping destination, attracting 12M+ annual visitors.
17 million square feet equates to nearly 300 football fields, an undertaking that is no small feat. We sit down with Wattson to talk all things Austin Point, from big picture land plan down to his vision for the next 5 years.
4,700 acres is a lot of land! What are some things to consider, and how do you best approach such a large undertaking?
It is a lot of land to plan, but we’ve been presented with an opportunity to reconfigure the land and deliver an economic engine the size of a small city. Our team is approaching the land plan as a blank canvas, and molding it to the way we feel is going to best serve the community. First, we outline the top tier tenants we’d like to target and then design around them. We are looking at the best in class for each category, from grocery stores to mass-market retailers. We look at these potential tenants and decide the location they best fit on the plan.
After we decipher those, we surround them with small-to-midsize retailers. At Austin Point, we have an opportunity to create a memorable shopping experience rather than a power center. We are looking to create places where people want to shop, eat and be entertained rather than just come in and go out.
What does Austin Point’s commercial opportunities offer to businesses of all sizes?
Austin Point provides commercial businesses a chance to be part of a larger community. When one tenant thrives, its neighboring tenants will also thrive. Here at Austin Point, there’s something for everybody. The 17 million square feet of commercial opportunity includes corporate campuses, healthcare, life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology, retail, hospitality and more. This is intentionally designed to foster a vibrant, mixed-use environment that supports business success and community integration.
Over $1 billion in tax abatements and economic incentives are available to businesses of all sizes, offering advantages for companies from corporations to startups. Additionally, diverse residential offerings will make it possible for employees to potentially live in the same community where they work. This seamless live-work environment reduces commute times and fosters connectivity.
What are some ways to create a memorable shopping experience?
We are seeing a trend towards experience-driven design, especially in retail and entertainment spaces. This means, rather than developing a place for a shopper to visit for one errand, we want to see them spend two, three, or even five hours there.
How do we achieve this? Experience over transaction. Creating environments that go beyond buying. Shoppers want to socialize with friends over a coffee, cocktail or meal, relax in lifestyle spaces like a café or bookstore, indulge in wellness offerings like a salon or spa, and enjoy leisure experiences like seeing a movie or participating in a specialty fitness class. We are seeing a rise in retail malls becoming centered around memorable experiences, and consumers are increasingly prioritizing entertainment and interaction over traditional shopping.
What do you think Austin Point will look like in 5 years?
Five years presents the time when a significant number of Austin Point’s population will have established their personal and professional lives. We will see the transformation go from large open site plan to a functioning and thriving neighborhood, where families, companies and innovators live in harmony.
For more information: https://austinpoint.com/
Media Inquiries: Erica Langendorff, NewGround PR & Media / elangendorff@newgroundco.com
Link to Assets: Downloadable link
Get in touch: If you’re a retail tenant, corporate user or part of the healthcare industry and are interested in the vision and design of Austin Point, please contact: info@signorellicompany.com