The $1 billion Bayside development in Rowlett, located at the former Elgin B. Robertson Park on Lake Ray Hubbard, broke ground on Tuesday.
Rowlett Mayor Todd Gottel, Rowlett City Manager Brian Funderburk, Bayside Land developer Kent Donohue and Crystal Lagoons CEO Uri Man all attended the event.
The 257-acre lakefront resort development will feature a “world-class” resort and marina, two condominium towers, luxury apartments, single-family homes and more than one million square feet of retail, entertainment, restaurant and office space.
The crown jewel of the entire project is an eight-acre, Cabo-style Crystal Lagoon, the first in Texas, featuring the largest show fountain in Texas. The lagoon will be 25 times the size of an Olympic swimming pool and contain 10 football fields of water.
The lagoon is ideal for swimming, sailing, stand-up paddle boarding and more.
“Today is the culmination of three years of planning for a legacy project that will transform Rowlett and Lake Ray Hubbard into a signature resort and entertainment destination for all of Texas and beyond,” said Donahue. The developer worked with the City of Rowlett to purchase the 262 acres of land for Bayside from the City of Dallas for $31.8 million last year.
“Bayside is a uniquely sophisticated urban lake front environment,” he added. “It will be pedestrian friendly with a huge expanse of lush green space and the latest entertainment, shopping and dining venues.”
“It’s our new gateway into Rowlett on Interstate 30,” said Mayor Gottel. “Not only will it make our citizens very proud, it will increase the City’s tax revenue by 30 percent and that’s great news for residents. This is a once-in-a-lifetime economic development opportunity that will absolutely enhance our quality of life and allow us to welcome visitors from all over North Texas to enjoy Rowlett hospitality at its finest.”
“This will be an incredible draw for Rowlett, Dallas and all of North Texas,” said Donahue. “We are implementing some unique elements in and around the lagoon that have never been done before. The public is going to be amazed.”
Check out the project:
Rowlett’s $1 billion Bayside development, Crystal Lagoon breaks ground
Rowlett's $1 billion Bayside development, Crystal Lagoon breaks ground – The Rockwall News https://t.co/YJpVzwOeJm
— tricia espie (@triciaespie) April 27, 2016