New Homes in Upper Macungie: Key Developments Driving Residential Growth

Why Upper Macungie Is a Hot Spot for New Construction

Upper Macungie Township sits in western Lehigh County and has become one of the Lehigh Valley's most active markets for new residential construction. Strong demand from commuters, proximity to Hamilton Crossings shopping, and access to the Parkland School District have drawn national and regional homebuilders to the area. Over the past two years, the township has approved several projects that will add hundreds of new homes and apartments within walking or short driving distance of Hamilton Boulevard.

The Reserve at Surrey Court

Hallmark Homes Group is planning The Reserve at Surrey Court, a 10-lot luxury single-family home community in Upper Macungie Township. According to the builder, the community is located at 5137 Schantz Road, near Hamilton Crossings, and features homes with roughly 2,600 square feet of living space, open-concept floor plans, and two-car garages. Industry reporting indicates construction is expected to begin in fall 2025, and listings for the community show pricing starting in the low-$700,000s.

This is a smaller, higher-end project compared to the township's other new developments, aimed at move-up buyers rather than first-time homebuyers.

Sunset Orchards

Sunset Orchards is one of the largest proposed residential projects in Upper Macungie. The development is planned for a former tree farm near the intersection of Shantz and Ruppsville roads. After multiple revisions since its initial 2022 proposal, the current plan calls for 205 total units, including 197 townhomes and eight twin homes, with approximately 15 acres of open space.

The developer, D.R. Horton, has indicated pricing is expected to be around $400,000, a price point that could appeal to first-time and early move-up buyers in the Lehigh Valley. As part of the project, D.R. Horton has also proposed widening the road near the Shantz and Ruppsville intersection to help address traffic congestion concerns raised by neighbors and township officials.

Twin Ponds Apartments and Daycare

Twin Ponds is an approved mixed-use residential development at 8739 Hamilton Blvd. The Upper Macungie Township Board of Supervisors granted preliminary/final land development approval on July 3, 2024 for a plan that includes 132 apartments across 22 buildings and an on-site daycare center. The site plan includes a central parking area with apartment buildings around the perimeter and a new internal road called Lily Lane running parallel to Hamilton Boulevard.

The vote was 2-1, with Chairman Jeff Fleischaker and Supervisor James Brunell in favor and Supervisor Sunny Ghai opposed, citing concerns that issues had not been fully addressed. The project is being developed by national homebuilder D.R. Horton.

What This Means for Buyers

Taken together, these projects represent several hundred new housing units coming to a relatively compact area of western Lehigh County:

• Entry-level and mid-market townhomes: Sunset Orchards' townhomes and twin homes around the $400,000 mark may be among the more accessible new-construction options in the township, though they remain above typical first-time homebuyer price points in many parts of Pennsylvania.
• Rental supply: Twin Ponds' 132 apartments will add meaningful rental inventory along the Hamilton Boulevard corridor, which could help buyers who want to rent in Upper Macungie while saving for a home in the area.
• Luxury single-family: The Reserve at Surrey Court caters to higher-income buyers seeking new construction near Hamilton Crossings.

First-time buyers considering Upper Macungie should pair any new-construction search with a review of Pennsylvania-based homebuyer assistance programs, including PHFA first mortgage and down payment/closing cost assistance options, to understand whether a new-build purchase in this market is financially realistic.

Things to Watch

As these projects move from approval to construction, buyers and residents should keep an eye on:

• Final construction start dates and model home openings.
• Traffic and road improvements tied to Sunset Orchards at Shantz and Ruppsville roads.
• Any further revisions to unit counts or site plans, which have happened repeatedly during the Sunset Orchards review process.
• Parkland School District capacity planning in response to new rooftops.

For the most current status of each plan, the Upper Macungie Township website and local outlets including LehighValleyNews.com, WFMZ, and Lehigh Valley Business remain the best public sources.