TX developers near construction on $1B Bayside mixed-use complex

Dive Brief:

Developers expect to break ground in March on the $1 billion Bayside mixed-use community on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard in the Dallas suburb of Rowlett, TX, according to Commercial Property Executive.
The 262-acre project will be the first in Texas to include an 8-acre Crystal Lagoon water feature with an additional two acres of artificial beach recreation areas. The adjacent lake will be home to a 1,000-slip marina.
The development will also offer 700 hotel rooms, 3,000 residential units, 800,000 square feet of mixed-use office and retail, more than 1 million square feet of commercial space and around 300,000 square feet of entertainment and restaurants.

Dive Insight:

Developer Bayside Land Partners has hired California-based Lifescapes International, which counts the Bellagio Resort in Las Vegas and The Grove in Los Angeles among its customers, to design the landscaping around the lagoon and buildings, as well as for the 25 acres of park space.

Of course it's the project's proximity to a beachfront — artificial or not — and the potential for activities to be built around it that makes the project a standout, particularly in landlocked North Texas. The Crystal Lagoon element, therefore, makes possible planned features such as a FlowRider surf machines, cabanas, beach clubs, swim-up bars, floating fire pits and small watercraft rentals.

PulteGroup started construction on a beachfront community on Johns Island, SC last month. While it doesn't have the mixed-use aspect of Bayside, it will offer about 600 homes with access to the Intracoastal Waterway and beaches.

Closer in scale to the Bayside project is the $1.2 billion redevelopment of the Port of San Diego — Seaport San Diego. After a lengthy planning process, the project started construction in November and will replace the decades-old Seaport Village, giving visitors a better view of the bay. In addition to a new hotel, aquarium, charter school, observation tower, entertainment, restaurants and new port-side business facilities and office space, the development will also include a beach-level park.