Dive Brief:

• The new developer for the $1 billion, 262-acre Bayside mixed-use community in the Dallas suburb of Rowlett, Texas, could ax the 8-acre lagoon feature that has been the focal point of the development, according to The Dallas Morning News.
• Owner Bayside District Partners' new developer, Tom D'Alesandro, told The Morning News that his team is conducting market and "consumer choice modeling" research to determine the most popular amenities so that they can be included in the project, giving the community the best chance at long-term success. D'Alesandro said the property will still have "compelling water features." The Crystal Lagoon is supposed to support other water-related elements like private beach clubs, a fountain that would be used for lagoon displays, a zip line, electric boats, cruisers and a surf machine.
• When developers first announced the project, it was billed as being the first development in Texas to include a Crystal Lagoon. However, the Houston-area Balmoral community, with its 2-acre lagoon, now claims that title. In addition, there is a 5-acre Crystal Lagoon under construction as part of the Windsong Ranch project in Prosper, Texas, also a suburb of Dallas.

Dive Insight:

Aside from the outdoor recreational areas, the project, which sits on the shores of Lake Ray Hubbard, will also include 700 hotel rooms, 3,000 residential units, 800,000 square feet of office and retail, more than 1 million square feet of commercial space and approximately 300,000 square feet of entertainment venues and restaurants.

While crews officially started work on Bayside in 2017, construction was held up due to legal questions around rights to an existing marina, according to The Garland Messenger. Those issues have been settled and a new marina building has already been constructed. As of May 1, a La Quinta hotel and parking garage were nearing completion. Neighbors to the project are reportedly counting on all the promised features, Crystal Lagoon included, to pump up their property values.

From manufactured home communities to high-end luxury developments, property owners count on resort-style amenities to draw residents. These can include beach club-type features or any other perk that upscale hotels and resorts offer.