Work to build more than 1,200 new homes as part of a future mixed-residential development is underway in Tooele County.
Utah-based developer Cole West has acquired land to construct the master-planned community located along state Route 36 in Erda, the company announced.
Cole West said the 325-acre project, being called Echo, will bring a mixture of single-family homes, townhomes, open space, and a variety of community amenities to the heart of Tooele Valley — with the needs of families, first-time buyers, and move-up homeowners in mind.
Echo’s location off S.R. 36 is said to provide convenient access to both downtown Tooele and the Salt Lake Valley. Cole West believes the development offers residents the benefits of small-town living and a direct path to major employment centers.
The project comes as Tooele County is experiencing significant growth.
Between 2023 and 2024, the country saw a 3.1% increase in population growth among Utah counties with at least 5,000 people, according to a February report by the University of Utah Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute.
Tooele County’s population sits at shy of 85,000 people, and the Gardner Institute projects it will reach 100,000 residents by 2033.
“The Tooele Valley is becoming one of Utah’s most dynamic growth corridors, and we’re proud to contribute to its future through responsible, high-quality development,” Logan Fawcett, president of Cole West, said in a statement. “Echo represents a tremendous opportunity to bring well-planned housing to a market that continues to see strong demand,”
Developers say they plan to partner with several of Utah’s leading homebuilders to deliver a range of product types and price points. Infrastructure construction has already started, and initial home construction is anticipated to begin in 2026, Cole West stated in a press release.
“Utah needs increased housing supply across all price points,” said Darlene Carter, CEO of Cole West, in a statement to KSL.com. “By investing in infrastructure up front and bringing builder-ready lots to market, Echo accelerates attainable options for residents across diverse housing types and supports predictable, community-minded growth.”
The entire project yields a total investment of approximately $600 million at full buildout, according to Cole West.
“Our team focuses on creating communities that last for generations,” Fawcett said. “We’re committed to working collaboratively with Erda City, Tooele County and local stakeholders to ensure Echo is a place people are proud to call home.”