A 15-acre man-made Crystal Lagoon in central Florida is now the largest in the United States, fueling a homebuying rush to a master-planned community about 30 miles north of Tampa.
The lagoon sits at the center of Mirada, a development in San Antonio, Florida, where homes are selling nearly as fast as builders can finish them. The community has grown to about 3,900 occupied homes and is expected to eventually hold up to 5,000 residences.
Mirada’s lagoon overtook Beachwalk Club’s Crystal Lagoon in St. Johns County to claim the national record. A nearby sister community, Epperson, built by the same developer, covers a comparatively modest 7.5 acres.
Both communities were developed by Metro Development Group. Lisa Gibbings, the company’s Vice President of Corporate Affairs, told the New York Post that the lagoon is a key draw for buyers. “The lagoon is one of the biggest drivers of interest we see from buyers exploring communities like Epperson and Mirada,” she said. “It creates an immediate sense of excitement because it’s something people can’t find in a traditional neighborhood.”
Stretching more than 15 acres, roughly the equivalent of 11 football fields, the lagoon features crystal-clear water, sandy beaches, paddleboarding, kayaking, floating obstacle courses and a swim-up bar. It is designed to recreate the atmosphere of an upscale resort without residents needing to leave the neighborhood. Homeowners receive discounted access, and visitors can purchase day passes for around $50.
Homes at Mirada range from townhomes starting at around $250,000 to properties exceeding $1 million. A dedicated 55-plus neighborhood within the community starts at around $236,000. Multiple builders operate there, including Homes by WestBay, Casa Fresca Homes, Dream Finders Homes and Maronda Homes.
The development ranked sixth among Florida’s top master-planned communities for 2025, according to John Burns Research and Consulting. Epperson is 94 percent occupied, while Mirada is approximately 75 percent occupied as construction continues.
A Social Hub at the community hosts more than 300 events a year, from fitness classes and family activities to holiday celebrations. “What makes the lagoon unique is that it has something for everyone,” Gibbings said. “No matter where you’re moving from, the Social Hub makes it easy to find your future neighbors and friends and feel at home from day one.” Residents also have access to walking and cycling trails, dog parks, playgrounds, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce courts and fitness centers.
Gibbings said buyers are increasingly prioritizing lifestyle amenities over simply purchasing a home. “People want the water, the energy and the sense of escape that comes with coastal living, right outside their front door,” she said.
Metro Development Group’s next major Florida project, Sandal Key in Hernando County, will feature another Crystal Lagoon alongside the company’s first-ever lazy river.
