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Ellison Development 2026 PRISM Awards: Affordable Communities in Montgomery County
October 26, 2026 • By Ellison Development
The William Trails entrance in Willis, Texas, winner of Community Entrance at the 2026 Houston's Best PRISM Awards.
What if the community you call home was also one of Houston's best?
For families in three Ellison Development communities, that is now official. At the 2026 Houston's Best PRISM Awards, our William Trails community in Willis won Community Entrance, and our McCrorey Trails and Castle's Edge communities took both finalist spots. We swept the category.
That wasn't all. Ellison Development was named a finalist for Developer of the Year, and McCrorey Trails was a finalist for Best Community. One win and four finalist honors, all for affordable new home communities in Montgomery County.
At a glance
- Award: 2026 Houston's Best PRISM Awards, presented by the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA)
- Winner, Community Entrance: William Trails, Willis, TX
- Finalists, Community Entrance: McCrorey Trails, Conroe, TX, and Castle's Edge, Willis, TX
- Finalist, Best Community: McCrorey Trails
- Finalist, Developer of the Year: Ellison Development
- Homes: New D.R. Horton homes from the high $130s in Montgomery County
Beautiful and attainable, side by side
At Ellison Development, we believe beautifully planned communities and affordable homeownership belong together. Too often, buyers at an attainable price point are asked to accept less in the places they live. Our work is built to prove otherwise.
That is why this recognition matters. Our communities swept their category against some of Houston's top builders and developers, and Ellison Development was named a Developer of the Year finalist in a field that included the region's largest master-planned community developers.
“Being named a Developer of the Year finalist alongside Houston's largest master-planned community developers shows that an affordable home never has to mean settling for less.”
Bill Ellison, co-founder of Ellison Development
Meet our award-winning communities
Winner · Community Entrance
William Trails, Willis
A 104-acre community named in tribute to our co-founder, Bill (William) Ellison, with an entrance of hand-crafted wood, stone and boulders. A new community park opens by the end of 2026, and new D.R. Horton homes start in the $150s.
Finalist · Community Entrance
Castle's Edge, Willis
The most affordable new home community in the area, with new D.R. Horton homes starting in the high $130s, a playground and a covered picnic area.
Finalist · Best Community and Community Entrance
McCrorey Trails, Conroe
Our only community honored in two categories, with a park, pickleball court, basketball court and fishing pond, about 15 minutes from I-45. New D.R. Horton homes start in the $170s.
A night to celebrate together
Ellison Development and D.R. Horton team members at the Casablanca-themed 2026 Houston's Best PRISM Awards gala.
This year's PRISM gala carried a Casablanca theme, and our team took the chance to dress to the nines alongside our Ellison Development family and our partners at D.R. Horton. Every milestone belongs to the people behind it: the planners, builders, sales teams and partners who turn raw land into neighborhoods.
We are proud of this recognition. The real reward is welcoming more families home across North Houston.
In the news
Our announcement was published nationally on:
Find your community
New D.R. Horton homes are available now in all three award-winning communities, with prices starting in the high $130s. Explore every Ellison Development community in Conroe, Willis and across Montgomery County.
Frequently asked questions
What are the PRISM Awards?
Think of them as the Oscars of Houston homebuilding. The PRISM Awards (Professional Results in Sales and Marketing) are presented each year by the Greater Houston Builders Association (GHBA) Sales & Marketing Council, and winners are selected by a panel of industry judges from across the country.
Which Ellison Development communities were recognized at the 2026 PRISM Awards?
William Trails in Willis won Community Entrance. McCrorey Trails in Conroe and Castle's Edge in Willis were the two Community Entrance finalists, and McCrorey Trails was also a finalist for Best Community. Ellison Development was named a finalist for Developer of the Year.
Where are Ellison Development's communities?
Ellison Development is a Conroe-based residential developer creating affordable new home communities in North Houston, with a focus on Montgomery County, including Conroe and Willis. All three award-recognized communities are zoned to Willis ISD.
How much do homes cost in Ellison Development communities?
New D.R. Horton homes start in the high $130s at Castle's Edge, the $150s at William Trails and the $170s at McCrorey Trails. Prices change, so check each community page for current availability.