Excitement is building as construction is underway on Comal Independent School District’s newest elementary school located in Mayfair. Scheduled to open in 2025, this state-of-the-art facility will serve Pre-K through 5th-grade students, offering a dynamic and enriching educational experience.
Constructed by Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, one of the standout features of the new school is its design, which includes classroom wings dedicated to each grade level. This thoughtful layout, designed by LPA Design Studios, not only fosters a sense of community among students but also allows for tailored educational approaches specific to each age group. The emphasis on creative and flexible collaboration spaces ensures that students can engage in innovative learning activities, preparing them for future academic and personal success.
Outdoor learning and play areas are another highlight of the new school. These spaces provide students with the opportunity to explore and learn in a natural environment, which has been shown to enhance cognitive development and overall well-being.
The school is also committed to providing tailored, engaging, and safe learning environments. Each classroom and common area are designed to stimulate curiosity and foster a love of learning.
Mayfair homeowners benefit from being part of the highly rated, fast-growing Comal ISD, which currently boasts 34 elementary, middle, and high schools. Parents appreciate the district’s impressive 97.5% graduation rate, as well as its comprehensive extracurricular programs, including Texas University Interscholastic League (UIL) athletics, fine arts, and advanced academics. With two advanced honors high schools in the district, students have access to exceptional educational opportunities that prepare them for higher education and beyond.
In addition to the many perks of living walking distance from a new school, Mayfair homeowners will be pleased to learn the school will also benefit from the Mayfair Promise. Through this initiative, the Comal Education Foundation is one of three charities selected to receive $100 for each new home sold in Mayfair throughout the life of the community. This generous program supports local education and conservation efforts in New Braunfels, making Mayfair a truly special place to live and learn.
As anticipation builds for the opening of Comal ISD’s newest elementary school, the community looks forward to the positive impact it will have on Mayfair’s young learners. With its innovative design and focus on creative and collaborative education, the school promises to be a cornerstone of our community, nurturing the next generation of thinkers, creators, and leaders.
The Empire Group of Companies will be the latest developer to capitalize on a current surge of rental home growth in New Braunfels.
Representatives with the Arizona-based developer announced in early June that they secured $47 million in financing through another firm, Tower Capital, to build Village at Mayfair.
Article: June 21, 2024, Community Impact
Mayfair launched its modern take on small town living May 11 with the inaugural Mayfest, an exciting festival featuring live music, local food trucks, family-friendly activities, and tours of the new model homes now open in New Braunfels’ newest master-planned community! Mayfest attracted hundreds of visitors, including future homeowners and enthusiastic local vendors. The vibrant gathering marked the beginning of a new chapter for Mayfair, showcasing the blend of modern living and hometown spirit that the community promises to deliver.
The morning began with a VIP Realtor preview of the new model homes by Highland Homes, Perry Homes, Coventry Homes and Toll Brothers Homes. Real estate agents toured the homes and learned about new floorplans and move-in ready homes underway with much fanfare.
“This new community is just going to be beautiful,” said Cecy Crary with Coldwell Banker D’Ann Harper, Realtors. “Everything you’ve ever wanted and dreamed of – parks, houses of course, playgrounds, commercial development, just everything.”
Never Miss a Chance to Dance
The first of many festivals to come, Mayfest showcased an array of activities and attractions designed to entertain and engage all ages. The atmosphere was electric with live music filling the air, courtesy of local talents including 90s cover band Zoodust, Bicycle Boy, Sound Cynic, and DJ Ango. The performances created a lively backdrop for the day’s festivities and encouraged visitors to kick up their heels on the dance floor.
Food trucks lined the area, serving a variety of delicious cuisines that catered to every palate. From savory snacks to sweet treats and hearty meals, the food truck fare was both diverse and delightful. Families and friends also enjoyed making friendship bracelets, a nostalgic activity that added a personal touch to the day. Additionally, the event featured dozens of market vendors, offering everything from handcrafted goods to unique local products, ensuring there was something for everyone to enjoy and take home.
New Homes in Mayfair
Visitors also had the chance to explore the newly opened model homes by Coventry Homes, Highland Homes, and Perry Homes. Each model showcased innovative designs and luxurious features, offering a glimpse into the exceptional floorplans available in Mayfair. Additionally, builders such as David Weekley Homes, Toll Brothers, Scott Felder Homes, and Wes Peoples Homes were present with booths, providing detailed insights about their future offerings in the community.
“It’s beautiful, I already know that the area here is a really good area, that you’re really close to the outlets, you’re close to everything in New Braunfels… you’re right off 35,” said Jocelyn Abraham, a prospective homebuyer, in an interview with Realtor Radd Alawan. “We did our research on all the other neighborhoods but the master plan… what this is going to be is what we’re looking for.”
Fun for All in Mayfair
For younger visitors, the inflatable games and kite flying were big highlights of the event, providing endless fun and entertainment. Kanga Parties Petting Zoo was another favorite, allowing children to cuddle and pet a baby kangaroo, pig, llama, goat, and many more friendly creatures. Kids were also able to take a breather at the story time tent with The Book Haus.
Adding to the festivity was the Bier and Wein Garten, where adults could relax and enjoy a selection of local beers by Meridian Hive and wines by Wanderlust Wine Co. The Garten became a popular spot for socializing and unwinding amidst the bustling activities.
Mayfair Promise
One of the most significant moments of the day was the announcement of the Mayfair Promise by Thad Rutherford, President and CEO of Southstar, Mayfair’s developer. This philanthropic commitment pledges to donate $100 per home sold to each of three local charities – New Braunfels Parks Foundation, Comal Education Foundation, and Headwaters at the Comal – for the life of the community. This initiative underscores Mayfair’s dedication to giving back and supporting the growth and well-being of the New Braunfels area.
Reflecting on the event’s success, Rutherford stated, “The overwhelming turnout and positive response to Mayfest in Mayfair truly highlight the community spirit that we are building here. It’s incredibly rewarding to see so many people come together to celebrate the launch of Mayfair, and we are thrilled to support important local charities through the Mayfair Promise.”
Mayfest was not just a way to showcase new homes opening but a joyous celebration of community, connection, and the promise of a bright future for all who will call Mayfair home. With such a successful start, there is no doubt that Mayfair will flourish as a vibrant and welcoming master-planned community in New Braunfels!
Missed out on the festivities? Our model homes are now open for tours! Visit Mayfair at 5708 Guthrie Trail in New Braunfels and find the model home row located on Cleveland Way. You can learn about new homes underway in Mayfair and see how our community is shaping, including future amenities and Midtown Mayfair, our planned retail district.
As another winter passes into memory and warmer weather begins to set in, this change is echoed outside in countless ways. From new flowers and foliage to different birds coming home for the season and those longer, sunnier days making their comeback, spring announces itself proudly throughout New Braunfels and the Texas Hill Country beyond. When it comes to bringing that sense of springtime renewal into your own home, however, you can’t rely on nature to do it for you.
A major spring cleaning project can be a daunting prospect, even in terms of finding the time to start. Going into this battle with a great plan that zooms in on your key needs and strengths will help ensure that your spring cleaning sessions are productive and focused. Having a concrete spring cleaning strategy in place can help you see the light at the end of the cleaning tunnel from the very first step, which gives you motivation to see the job through.
With that in mind, here are five spring cleaning tips to help you develop–and execute–your own post-winter cleaning list.
1. Streamline Your Spaces
A great first step for those busy, “lived-in” homes is a basic decluttering of each room. This has an immediate visual impact that will help motivate you to keep going. It also serves the practical purpose of making it easier to move through your home as you go about your various cleaning projects. Start by taking care of the following:
Deal with out-of-place items that can be readily put away in their proper place (hanging up jackets, putting dirty clothes in the laundry, etc.)
Toss out any disposable items that are no longer needed. Instead of running back and forth to the trash throughout your spring cleaning process, take this opportunity to get a large lawn and leaf-style trash bag started, then keep it handy as you move from task to task. Remember to properly sort any recyclable items.
Start a donation pile (or better yet, a bin/box) for items that are still useful but which you and your family no longer need. You can also start a resale pile in addition to (or instead of) a donation pile, but be sure to fully consider the extra labor and stress involved in listing items online or organizing a yard sale.
2. A Bonding Experience for the Whole Family
Parents know that trying to get their kids involved in household chores is not always a pleasant or easy task. As the weather gets warmer, there are probably a million things your kids would rather be doing than helping with the spring cleaning, but it’s important to involve everyone.
Giving your children (or roommates, etc.) thoughtfully chosen, age-appropriate, and meaningful tasks can help give them a sense of pride and ownership in their space. Assign each family member specific tasks with achievable goals. Also, allow children to make meaningful decisions about which items they are ready to move on from and put in the donation or resale pile.
If necessary, set up an appropriate reward system to encourage your family to stay engaged. A small gift card for their favorite hobby store or video game system can work wonders to keep easily distracted kids on task. If your spouse is the squeaky wheel in this scenario, promise you’ll take them to Mayfest 2024 this spring if you get a little less whining and a little more vacuuming. (You were already planning to go anyway, but that’s beside the point.)
With some pre-planning and a focus on realistic goals, getting the kids and other stubborn household members involved can help make spring cleaning much easier.
3. Make the Most of Every Inch
Creative storage solutions have an almost magical way of creating usable space. Sometimes, this can be done simply by thinking about your spaces in a different way. Then, you can make adjustments to use them more effectively. In other scenarios, evolving your storage effectively might mean a pretty serious DIY project that extends well beyond the scope of mere spring cleaning.
The way you approach this strategy will be informed by your own individual spaces, goals, needs, and existing furnishings, but here are some ideas to guide you into the right mindset:
Under-Bed Organization – For example, large rolling drawers or purpose-built chests can maximize the use of every vertical inch.
Wall-Mounted Shelves – Cramped kitchens and workshops can also benefit from wall-mounted countertops. These can be folded down to open the area back up for general use when your work is done.
Multi-Functional Furniture – You don’t have to go wild with extravagant (and expensive) custom builds to implement this idea effectively. Think about simple, timeless options as well, such as a footstool or bench with a removable top that can double as a storage chest.
4. Go Green for Springtime Vibes (and for your Allergies)
Today’s social spaces are full of conversations about finding “greener” ways to do things, as public concern for the environment remains high. You can take some simple, practical steps to create a spring cleaning routine that’s a little more eco-friendly.
Use natural cleaning agents like vinegar, baking soda, and lemon wherever they are effective.
When a more serious product is needed, check the label for information about ingredients and their environmental impact.
Clean your air vents and air filters as part of your spring cleaning routine to freshen up the air without spraying artificial chemical scents.
Limiting your spring cleaning’s reliance on harsh chemicals isn’t just good for reducing your environmental impact; it’s also better for your health in a more direct way. “Green” factor aside, gentler cleaning products (and cleaning methods) might help reduce or eliminate some of those spring allergy symptoms you and your family may have been struggling with.
5. Don’t Forget Digital Cluttering
Many people spend a large portion of their lives online, so it’s only logical that some of their spring cleaning should occur in the digital realm as well. Just like your in-home cleaning, this is important to do for both aesthetic and practical reasons.
In between your more physically demanding spring cleaning tasks, block out an hour or two to work on organizing and deleting unwanted items from:
- Your local computer files
- Your cloud storage and online drives
- Your email accounts
- Your phone (e.g., unused apps, obsolete contacts)
- Your social media (messages, follows, posts, etc.)
Of course, the key secret to getting the absolute most out of spring cleaning is to have a home that you love in the first place. If you’re looking for a place to call your own in the New Braunfels area, Mayfair offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and modern living. With a variety of highly inspired new homes in the midst of parks, trails, and a vibrant community, you’ll feel right at home. Check back often for news about the community and information about new units available.
As 2024 continues, now is a great time to explore trends in home design that may be seen during the year. Mayfair has a wide range of experience in home building and can offer key insights into what to look for as you consider building a new home in 2024. Highland Homes builds in the Mayfair community and has designed award winning homes across the state of Texas for nearly 40 years. Let’s take a look at some of the trends that Highland Homes is seeing this year!
Home Design Trends From the Highland Homes Product Team
Biophilic Design & Seamless Indoor/Outdoor Connectivity
Indoor/outdoor spaces can allow you to connect with nature and your surroundings more easily. Having sliders and large windows to bring in natural light, will provide fresh air, and allow for views outside, which is a huge plus. Providing indoor/outdoor connectivity highlights the seasonal changes, sounds, and sensory outputs of nature, and this choice is becoming much more popular. As the world becomes more digital, being in tune with nature and fresh air is even more important for every homeowner.
Multiple Outdoor Living Areas
Many homeowners are now searching for more multi-functional outdoor living areas. You might choose to create outdoor kitchens, dining spots, fire pits, or areas that are dedicated to yoga or meditation. These unique spaces could make your home both special and functional!
Secondary Spaces Grow in Importance
These days, more homeowners are finding themselves in need of extended or secondary spaces like gyms, offices, entertainment centers, and places of rest. You’re likely spending more time at home than you have in recent years, and Highland Homes can provide the space you need with up to six-bedroom houses. Buying a home with extended spaces can be a valuable investment for you and your loved ones.
Highland Homes offers large utility rooms with storage and laundry folding spaces and larger pantries, providing you with the space you need for you and your family. They also offer creative storage options, customized closet and cabinet solutions, and much more. You need places to store all of your valuables, and larger home spaces can make sure that you and your family have both storage and room to live.
Dedicated Work/Study Spaces
Like many families, one large study may not be enough for you and your loved ones. In select plans, you get the option for two study spaces (for example, an office plus an optional pocket office or an office plus an additional second office). While the trend of working from home has started to wane over the past several months, many people still do remote work. With adequate light placement and additional workspaces, you can create a home office environment that can provide enough room for those who need it.
Focus on Health and Wellness
If you’re one of many people with a focus on health and wellness, dedicating a flexible space to be used as a yoga space, gym, meditation, or prayer room could be life-changing. The key to health and wellness starts in the home. Good air quality, no toxic materials, and healthy doses of natural sunlight can give you peace of mind knowing that your health is not being compromised.
Spa-Inspired Bathrooms
Spa weekends have traditionally been reserved for only those who can afford to get away for a luxurious retreat. Now, instead of having to go away from your home for that experience, you can get the spa experience in the bathroom of your own home. With whirlpool-style tubs and enhanced steam shower systems, the home bathroom is becoming more integrated with spa systems, giving homeowners that vaunted spa experience in the comfort of their homes.
Other Popular Home Design Trends
Highland Homes is known for incorporating design trends that resonate with homeowners. This year, warm and neutral colors like beige, off-white, and a rich brown are in style, while previously trendy cool grays and white colors are becoming less popular. As you search for inspiration or a starting point in a new home build, maybe you’ll decide on a more timeless design. More people are incorporating rustic wood elements, arches, and brick into their new, modern homes.
Blending backsplashes is a unique way of making your kitchen stand out even more. The trend involves installing stone or quartz in the kitchen wall behind the cooktop while keeping the surrounding backsplash area as tile, offering a unique blend.
All shades of blue are back and trending, from sky blue to deep-water tints. Blue is expected to be more prominent in decorative materials, housewares, and other art pieces in 2024.
Functionality has always been important aspect of home design, but combining the use of mudrooms with laundry rooms is becoming popular once again. Leaving the mess from outdoors in one designated area can help keep the rest of the home clean and clutter-free. On a related note, you can optimize storage by freeing your kitchen of excess gadgets that don’t get regular use— including an appliance garage is a trend that can help keep your home free of clutter.
In 2024, handmade details for the home are in high demand. Items like handmade tiles, bathroom vanities, and other elements are key in design and can create a unique sense of versatility.
What’s more, cabinet fluting is yet another trend we expect to see in 2024. Fluting a cabinet creates a vertical wood molding that can add decorative, functional detail to your home.
The Highland Way
The 216 Plan in Mayfair ’60s is the perfect way to highlight the many options for improved functionality or livability. With spacious floor plans and countless options for storage, these quick move-in homes incorporate the latest trends in home design while remaining timeless.
Mayfair works with the most reputable builders in the New Braunfels area, including Coventry Homes, Perry Homes, Highland Homes, Toll Brothers, David Weekley Homes, and Scott Felder Homes. Be sure to stay up to date with the new housing trends in the market and keep an eye out for inspiration for your next home!