Scaling Sustainability
In this episode of the CREtech Climate Cast podcast, Gautami Palanki discusses the role of technology in the Howard Hughes ESG strategy, and the positive progress being made in the real estate industry.
Howard Hughes - Communities
2023 AT A GLANCE
Communities
PROTECTING TODAY TO PRESERVE TOMORROW
At Howard Hughes, we are focused on delivering communities that meet the evolving needs of people and businesses today–and for decades to come.
2023 Communities Report
From Our CEO
David R. O’Reilly
Chief Executive Officer
Chief Executive Officer
“We believe responsible development has the power to lift people up and help them realize a better future.”
David R. O’Reilly
Chief Executive Officer
How You Live, How We Build
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42,106
Acres
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146,000
Residents
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Houston
Metro Area
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1974
Established
Texas
More than 50 years ago, George P. Mitchell—often considered the father of sustainable development—had a vision to create an integrated community that balanced the tenors of modern living with the rhythms of nature. Today, that vision can be seen throughout The Woodlands, Bridgeland, and The Woodlands Hills, which are considered three of the nation’s premier planned communities.
“Based on Mitchell’s long-term vision, our master planned, self-sustaining communities in the Houston Region provide a higher standard of living for our residents.
JIM CARMAN
PRESIDENT, HOUSTON REGION
MORE INFO
INCLUSIVE | SUSTAINABLE | TRANSPARENT
Inclusive
Partnering for progress
With pride, our team members volunteered nearly 2,800 hours and supported over 220 local charities in 2023. Dedicated to leaving a positive footprint, Howard Hughes donated over $2.6 million nationwide to impact the lives of those within and around our communities and the world at large.
Grounded in green
Through collective efforts, our operating portfolio reduced carbon emissions intensity by 20% in 2023 from our 2017 baseline. In addition, Howard Hughes committed to plant 10,000 trees by 2037, with 3,843 planted to date.
Operating responsibly
We build transparency into our work by pursuing third-party verification of our efforts through globally recognized frameworks like LEED. In 2023, we were honored to be recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council as the top LEED developer in Hawai‘i with the most LEED-certified and registered projects in the state.
ALIGNING WITH
UN SDGs
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GOOD HEALTH
& WELL-BEING -
QUALITY
EDUCATION -
GENDER
EQUALITY -
CLEAN WATER
& SANITATION -
AFFORDABLE
& CLEAN ENERGY -
DECENT WORK
& ECONOMIC GROWTH -
RESPONSIBLE
CONSUMPTION
& PRODUCTION -
CLIMATE
ACTION -
LIFE ON
LAND
SPOTLIGHT ON
Water
An Integrated Approach
Responsible water management is a priority across our portfolio. Starting with design and construction, and extending to the ongoing operations of our communities, our conservation strategies save millions of gallons annually even as populations continue to grow.
An Integrated Approach
PROGRESSING OUR
Founders’ Vision
Howard Hughes
The name Howard Hughes has long been synonymous with an unyielding passion for excellence, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of innovation.
From drill bits to aviation, film, and real estate, the Hughes family legacy includes the acquisition of a 25,000-acre parcel along the western rim of the Las Vegas valley, which would later be developed into the award-winning Summerlin master planned community—named for Jean Amelia Summerlin, the matriarch of the Hughes family.
Victoria Ward
Driven by a profound love for her homeland, Victoria Ward embraced Mālama ʻĀina, the Hawaiian tradition of nurturing and restoring the land. She envisioned her vast 100-acre estate as a natural sanctuary where the community could come together to connect with each other and celebrate culture and the beauty of the island of Oahu.
Operated for multiple generations under the ownership of Victoria Ward Limited, the area became known as a flourishing gathering place between Waikiki and downtown Honolulu. The legacy continues today, as the location is home to Ward Village, a community dedicated to honoring the distinct history of its land and remaining at the forefront of sustainable development.
George Mitchell
Inspired in part by the work of Rouse, the energy businessman George Mitchell acquired more than 28,000 acres of land in the Piney Woods of Southeast Texas with a vision of creating The Woodlands.
The Woodlands is home to over 118,000 residents and is one of the most acclaimed MPCs in the country. Considered by many as the father of sustainable development, George Mitchell established the Houston Advanced Research Center.
James Rouse
James Rouse, known as the grandfather of the master planned community, is responsible for some of the most successful communities and retail districts in the nation, including the renowned MPC of Columbia, Maryland.
Grounded in his belief in economic, social, and racial equality, Rouse’s influence on the American urban landscape has reshaped how people live, work, and play. With visionary foresight, he reimagined how communities could be designed and built to create, in his words, “a garden for growing people.” He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995 in honor of his “uplifting work in American cities.”
Our Communities
Downtown Columbia
Relocating the unique flora throughout our community
