Tellus Group, a leader in visionary community development, was named Developer of the Year at the 2026 McSAM Awards, one of North Texas’ top honors for residential development. In addition, its Mosaic master-planned community in Celina received Master-Planned Community of the Year and Best New Amenity for its $20M amenity complex, The River.
“These awards reflect the strength of our team and partners,” said Craig Martin, chief executive officer and founding partner of Tellus Group. “We’re intentional about creating communities where people connect and build their lives and it’s an honor to see that approach recognized.”
The awards highlight a year of significant growth for the Dallas-based developer. In 2025, Tellus advanced nearly $3 billion in master-planned communities across North Texas, including continued development at Windsong Ranch and Mosaic and expansion into new markets. The company also delivered its first lots at Meraki in Forney and broke ground on Sherley Farms in Anna and Mirabella in Prosper.
Mosaic was designed to depart from conventional suburban development by emphasizing walkability, integrated trail systems and distributed green space. The approach replaces long, disconnected streets with a more connected framework that encourages everyday interaction. The result is a cohesive master-planned environment where land planning, architecture, amenities and open space work together to create a highly livable community.
“From the beginning, Mosaic was about challenging the traditional suburban model,” said Andre Ferrari, chief operating officer of Tellus Group. “We wanted to create a place where design, connectivity and lifestyle work together in a way that feels natural and lasting.”
At the center of the community is The River amenity complex, designed as a social and recreational hub. The space includes a winding lazy river, cabanas with individual plunge pools, fire pits, a shade pavilion stage for concerts, a fitness center, sand volleyball courts, a splashpad play structure, multiple indoor lounges, an event lawn along with multi-generational activity zones and gathering areas, serving as a focal point for residents. Designed in collaboration with LRK, The River integrates architecture, landscape and programming into a cohesive environment.
The company’s broader portfolio includes Meraki, an 1,100-acre community in Forney; Sherley Farms, a 970-acre development in Anna; and Mirabella, a 190-acre project in Prosper co-developed with Highland Homes.
Tellus said its growth has been driven by a lean, collaborative team and strong partnerships with builders, municipalities and consultants, allowing the firm to execute at scale across multiple master-planned communities while maintaining a high level of design and attention to detail. Across its communities, the company’s focus remains on delivering lifestyle-driven environments that are thoughtfully planned and designed to create long-term value for residents and local municipalities.
The McSAM Awards are presented annually by the Dallas Builders Association and recognize excellence in residential development, design and marketing across the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
About Tellus Group
Tellus Group is a real estate investment firm focused on residential and mixed-use land development with a primary focus in master-planned, amenity-rich lifestyle communities. The company is committed to creating places that positively affect the lives of those that live in a Tellus community and the land on which it is built.
