Michael Charlie Lucas

Ambiance Development llc (the company) was started in 2001 by Michael Charlie Lucas.  Michael began building custom homes with an associate, but soon turned towards land and community development. Circumstances allowed for extensive travel and while traveling he took notes, mental and otherwise of the neighborhoods, communities, cities, and destinations he visited.  He looked for those attributes of timeless design, amenities, layouts, architecture, and other elements that created a sense of place, livability, and encouraged sustainable progressive growth.  He looked for attributes that were able to be incorporated universally to create a draw and charm that lacked in standard development.   Within his personal search he has discovered all these elements coordinated in the development precepts of New Urbanism

In 2007, to further his study, he enrolled in the Community Development masters program at Prairie View A&M University under the direction of Dr. Rick Baldwin. The Community Development program focused on a progressive and sustainable approach for rebuilding communities, planning, land use, as well as the thoughtful integration of art, design, and nature into development. Highlights of the Masters program included a season as the President of the Graduate Student Community Development Association and presenting community development proposals and land use plans to and in behalf of the cities of Waller and Prairie View, as well as a campus development plan personally presented to President George C. Wright, President of Prairie View A&M.

Peninsula 19 The beginning:

In early 2009, just weeks after graduation from PVAMU, Michael came across the property that would become Peninsula 19. An area decimated by Hurricane Ike.   Despite the disaster and loss of the area, the potential of this point on the peninsula gleamed like a diamond surrounded by natural beauty of ocean, bay and wetlands.   All of the education, contracting experience, community observation, and design ideas could come to this location to create what will be the most sought after location on the peninsula.

“This neighborhood will lay not only the groundwork for re-development on this area of the Peninsula, but will raise the bar for what people expect from a design and architecture standpoint for their beach house”

Michael also adds, when describing his approach to neighborhood development, “Beach communities are innately charming just for their location, and so much beach development depends solely on this amenity.  If we can add an attractive streetscape, community wide coordinated architecture and landscaping, and then top it off with a property owners who share the vision for maintaining the community… It simply is going to be a great place to be… Peninsula 19 may not be for everyone, but those who do appreciate its location, design and amenities, will never feel they settled for something less.” 

Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, and Restoration Hardware

What do these three stores have to do with neighborhood design? Tons. These enterprises have brought design centered quality to the market with accessibility to the general public with their classic design and product lines.  Like these stores, Peninsula 19 will fill that niche for something more than cookie cutter in beach house neighborhood and design.  Michael points out, “Pottery Barn, Banana Republic, and Restoration Hardware have great stores, classically hip product lines, and justifiable pricing. These stores consistently bring timeless yet specific style to the masses … If my neighborhoods can be the ‘Banana Republic’ of neighborhood design, than I will have succeeded.”

Michael’s first love will always be his family.  He is married to his soul mate, the lovely Lisa Ann, and they are the proud parents of two boys and three girls—Brighton, Madeline, Sterling, little Owen and baby Janie Mae. All of his designs have a family center and Michael Charlie hopes and anticipates that the homes in this neighborhood will rarely be sold, but rather be passed down and enjoyed for generations to come.