Pulte Homes is entering a new Ohio market, betting Midwestern buyers want the same luxury resort-style living common in warm snowbird states.
Pulte, the country’s second-largest builder, plans to construct 1,281 new homes in Columbus, Ohio, across two developments: Del Webb Maygrass in Plain City and Del Webb Explore at Northstar in Sunbury.
The builder’s Del Webb brand offers amenities and homes for homebuyers aged 55 and above, while Del Webb Explore — launched in March — offers similar neighborhoods and features but for any age range. It’s a move to capitalize on what Pulte sees as older adult demand in the Midwest for luxury older adult communities more commonly seen in the Sun Belt.
A 2023 survey by Pulte found that 62% of Midwest adults aged between 47 and 77 plan to remain in the same general area for their next home purchase.
“Throughout the Midwest, we’ve seen strong interest from active-adult homebuyers that want the vibrant lifestyle and world-class amenities that Del Webb has to offer, without having to move away from friends, family, and grandchildren,” said Jim Marcero, PulteGroup's Columbus division president, in a statement.
These developments will be Del Webb’s second and third in Ohio. It opened Del Webb Hickory Greens in Cleveland this past March, and two communities in the Indianapolis area in May.
Construction has begun, according to Pulte, and sales are expected to launch in the spring of next year.
New Columbus developments
Del Webb Maygrass in Plain City will include 711 homes across 353 acres, according to Pulte. The builder also plans 175 acres of open green space and nature trails.
Amenities include a 16,000-square-foot lodge-style clubhouse with an indoor and outdoor pool, fitness center, golf simulator, craft room, kitchen, event space, and outdoor gathering spaces. There are plans for the neighborhood to have pickleball and bocce courts, a dog park and community gardens.
Del Webb Explore at Northstar is open to all ages and is anticipated to have 570 homes on 256 acres. It will be built on the NorthStar Golf Club with some homesites offering views of the golf course.
This project is expected to include a 14,500-square-foot clubhouse with a fitness center, studio, game room, golf simulator, kitchen, event spaces, and great room. It will also include an outdoor pool, putting green, pickleball and bocce courts, fire pits, and outdoor gathering spaces.
For both developments, homebuyers will have three single-story home design choices with optional upgrades, ranging from 1,502 to 3,590 square feet. Neither prices nor home designs have been announced. The median single-family sale price in Columbus is $295,000, according to Homes.com. At Del Webb’s Cleveland development, home prices start in the upper $300,000s, according to the community website.
Several Ohio markets have led the charge in home price appreciation in June, according to Homes.com data. July data shows Cleveland experienced an 8% rise in median home prices while Cincinnati saw a 6.7% increase, both cracking the top four markets for price gains. Columbus ranked 12th nationally with a 3.6% price jump.