Notes From Our Journey
From twenty-six years of building custom homes on Lake Texoma, here we share about our process and what we've learned about design, materials, engineering, and the decisions that shape a home built to last for generations — the questions clients ask us most often, and the answers we give around the table in our design center.
Designing Custom Homes on Preston Harbor’s Estate Lots

Ceci Bates

In the vast expanse of Preston Harbor, three thousand acres of a master-planned development will see the rise of diverse homes. The eleven hundred traditional homesites will thrive under the hands of production builders adept at efficient designs. Yet, 115 estate lots ask a different question—one that is intimately tied to the land. These parcels, situated on ridgelines, cove inlets, and the eastern bluffs of Lake Texoma, demand an architectural vision that considers their unique topography, tree cover, and views.
Estate lots at Preston Harbor come with varied challenges. Some offer breathtaking views from elevated bluffs; others nestle against serene internal lakes. Some are enveloped by mature wooded greenbelt, where the canopy shapes not just the roofline but also access. The Ceci Bates team begins each project by understanding these distinct conditions. Our architect, Roberth Jordan, grounds his process in the landscape itself. Before pencil meets paper, he invests time in studying the lot, often employing drones to capture the perspectives that future residents will enjoy.
For these hillside and waterfront properties, sun studies are crucial. They map the path of light across the seasons, ensuring the home harmonizes with its natural surroundings. Every home is designed in three dimensions with tangible materials to help clients visualize how it will stand against the physical backdrop.
This thoughtful approach, honed on Texas’s lakeside and wooded properties since 1999, prepares us uniquely to meet the challenges of Preston Harbor. The lots are new, but our disciplined methods remain timeless.
Building on these lands asks for more than skill—it requires an understanding that is cultivated over decades along Lake Texoma’s shores. As we embark on the opportunities at Preston Harbor, we invite those interested to explore how our expertise can bring your vision to life. Begin a thoughtful conversation at cecibates.com.
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Custom homes near Lake Texoma’s north shore
Lakeside builds along the western shoreline
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