Calara Is Lining Up 1,182 Lots in Benton County. The Rogers Lots Wait on Sewer.
An estimated $565 million across three projects. The big Bentonville contract could close between Oct. 29 and Nov. 13 (computed).
One developer has about 1,182 lots moving through Benton County. Calara, the land arm of Rausch Companies, puts the housing at an estimated $565 million across three projects, and every dollar figure comes from the developer.
The biggest piece is about 900 lots in Bentonville, and its contract could close within weeks. The 154 Rogers lots are tied to the city's sewer upgrades.
Calara, the land development arm of Fayetteville-based Rausch Companies, has three Benton County housing projects with an estimated $565 million in combined residential investment, according to Talk Business & Politics on September 29, 2026. The lot counts in the report are about 900, 128 and 154, which add up to about 1,182 lots (computed).
The Bentonville contract at Windmill and Morning Star roads covers about 900 lots and was expected to close in 30 to 45 days from the report, a window of October 29 to November 13, 2026 (computed). The sales price is still being set through due diligence and feasibility review.
Simpson Farms in Bentonville is planned for 128 large lots with expected home prices of $750,000 to $1.25 million. The Rogers project is planned for 154 large lots with expected home prices of $400,000 to $800,000, and its construction timing is tied to the city of Rogers' ongoing sewer upgrades.
What are the facts?
Calara's regional president, Don Draper, described the Bentonville contract as "a significant addition to our portfolio." Calara reports a pipeline of 18,000 lots across several states, including Northwest Arkansas. The three Benton County projects are laid out below.
| Project | Lots | Land price | Expected home prices | Residential investment (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Windmill and Morning Star roads, Bentonville (under contract) | About 900 | Being determined | Not stated | More than $350 million |
| Simpson Farms, Bentonville | 128 | $5.5 million | $750,000 to $1.25 million | About $125 million |
| Rogers (land contract assigned from Schuber Mitchell Homes) | 154 | $3.17 million | $400,000 to $800,000 | About $90 million |
Completed Rogers lots are contracted for sale to Schuber Mitchell Homes, a Joplin, Missouri homebuilder. Homebuilder partnerships for the Bentonville projects will be announced as they are completed.
What the Simpson Farms land sale shows
On April 23, 2026, Talk Business reported that an affiliate of The Calara Group bought 36.19 acres northwest of Arkansas 112 and West Scoggins Road in south Bentonville for $5.5 million, or $151,975 per acre. The seller, Cottages at Simpson Farms LLC, had bought a 50-acre tract in December 2023 for $3.66 million from the Simpson Family Revocable Trust and kept about 12 acres.
What is still unknown?
The September report gives no acreage for any of the three sites, no zoning status, and no address for the Rogers project. The April report gives the 36.19 acres for Simpson Farms. The $5.5 million price matches in both reports, so the two are very likely the same land. That is an inference from the matching price.
What does it mean for land?
Land cost per lot, using only the land price and lot count above, is about $42,969 at Simpson Farms ($5.5 million divided by 128) and about $20,584 in Rogers ($3.17 million divided by 154). Both figures are computed and cover land only. Streets, utilities and lot development are extra.
If all 128 Simpson Farms lots sit on the 36.19 acres, the gross density is about 3.5 lots per acre (computed). The December 2023 purchase works out to $73,200 per acre ($3.66 million divided by 50 acres), and the April 2026 sale was $151,975 per acre, about 2.1 times as much. The two tracts are not identical, so read that comparison as direction and not as a measured gain.
Watch three things: the closing of the Windmill and Morning Star contract, the schedule for the Rogers sewer upgrades, and the builder partnerships Calara says it will announce.
What should nearby landowners do now?
Owners near Windmill and Morning Star roads can ask the City of Bentonville Planning Department for the rezoning, preliminary plat and utility documents filed for that corner. Deed transfers are public record at the Benton County Circuit Clerk once the contract closes.
Frequently asked questions
How many lots is Calara planning in Benton County? About 1,182 across three projects: about 900, 128 and 154, per the September 29, 2026 report.
How much will homes cost at Simpson Farms? $750,000 to $1.25 million is the expected range, per the developer.
What did Calara pay for the Simpson Farms land? $5.5 million.
When does the Bentonville contract close? The developer expected 30 to 45 days from the September 29 report.
The bottom line
About 1,182 lots are moving through Benton County in a single developer's pipeline, and every dollar figure in the report is an estimate the developer supplied.
The closing of the Windmill and Morning Star contract is the next date to watch.
Looking for land in Northwest Arkansas? Browse land and acreage listings.
References
- Talk Business & Politics, "Calara working on estimated $565 million in Benton County housing projects," Sept. 29, 2026
Cited for: lot counts, home price ranges, land prices, the 30 to 45 day closing estimate, the Rogers sewer timing, and the Draper quote - Talk Business & Politics, "Real Deals: Bentonville pasture sells for $5.5 million," Apr. 23, 2026
Cited for: the 36.19-acre, $5.5 million Simpson Farms land sale and the December 2023 purchase history
