ROWLETT, TX (Nov. 30, 2021) The Rockwall Area Chamber of Commerce welcomed the business community for an update on Sapphire Bay during a breakfast event at Springhill Suites by Marriot on Nov. 3. Funderburk and Rowlett’s Acting Director of Economic Development Libbey Tucker provided guests with a presentation on the crystal lagoon project and other upcoming developments around Rockwall’s neighboring city across the lake.
Funderburk said Phase I of the development – which includes the crystal lagoon, surf lagoon, the resort, and the secondary hotel – is expected to be completed in about two years. The entire development itself is estimated to be complete in seven to 10 years.
As for residential, Funderburk anticipates the townhomes on the south side to go vertical in Phase I, followed by one of the two condo towers in Phase II. Both north and south properties of the development were designed to hold around 3,000 total residential units.
“I would say within two years – probably less – that you will see the townhomes open, but one of the condo towers won’t start going vertical until at least two years,” Funderburk said.
As far as what the finished development will look like, Funderburk said the project will still closely align with what was originally envisioned for it from the beginning.
“Some of you may know we went through litigation back when Bayside owned it, and we were able to secure the south piece. Under Sapphire Bay, that vision was picked up again – the crystal lagoon ,the condo towers, the resort… The one major thing that they did change was the surf park.”
The Surf Village, as it’s dubbed on Sapphire Bay’s website, will feature a lagoon with the ability to generate barrel roll-type waves of varying sizes at each level, so that surfers of all skill levels can learn the trade. One end of the lagoon will house the equipment to generate the waves, while the other end features a white beach area for folks to relax and watch the surfing action. Guests will also enjoy three resort style pools, two swim up bars, a lazy river, and multiple outdoor beach gathering spaces for relaxation and games. Chaise loungers, day beds, and private cabanas round out the tropical paradise making up the Surf Village.
“There are only a few locations really in our hemisphere where people can learn the trade and also get those barrel roll waves,” Funderburk said. “This surf park makes that possible.”
The development’s main attraction – a seven-acre crystal lagoon – features a large mist fountain that allows for images and videos to be projected onto the mist, forming a gigantic screen that people can watch on all sides of the lagoon. The Sapphire Bay resort’s windows will also have a covering that will allow videos to be projected onto them, so that when you view the mist screen looking towards the resort, the screen appears even larger.
In the plaza office area next to the lagoon, Funderburk said two large buildings are targeted as a secondary hotel and an office building. Additionally, two condo towers on property will offer sweeping views of Lake Ray Hubbard.
“We do hear a lot from our citizens about how we’re giving away the City to garden-style apartments. If y’all have looked at these apartments and multifamily units that are being built, they’re not garden apartments. The high quality of these things is absolutely amazing, and that quality will be on property as well.”
For more information on the Sapphire Bay development, visit sapphirebaytexas.com.
By Austin Wells, Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photos (renderings).
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