SerpApi.Org
Forget oceanfront living – thousands of homebuyers are scrambling to move next to America's largest swimming pool.
The enormous 15-acre man-made Crystal Lagoon has transformed a once-rural stretch of central Florida into one of the state's fastest-growing housing hotspots, with developers struggling to keep pace with demand.
Located in the master-planned community of Mirada in San Antonio, around 30 miles north of Tampa, the shimmering turquoise lagoon has become the centerpiece of a neighborhood that's drawing everyone from young families to retirees looking for a resort lifestyle without the beachfront price tag.
Stretching across more than 15 acres – roughly the equivalent of 11 football fields or around 150 NBA basketball courts – the lagoon is now the largest in the United States.
It overtook the previous record-holder, Beachwalk Club's Crystal Lagoon in St Johns County, while nearby Epperson, the original lagoon community built by the same developer, spans a comparatively modest 7.5 acres.
And the attraction is proving so popular that homes are selling almost as quickly as they can be built.
Mirada has already grown to around 3,900 occupied homes, while the community is ultimately expected to feature up to 5,000 residences.
Rather than relying on a single builder, the community features homes from several major builders, including Homes by WestBay, Casa Fresca Homes, Dream Finders Homes and Maronda Homes, giving buyers a broad choice of townhomes, family houses and 55-plus properties surrounding the giant lagoon.
The development recently ranked sixth among Florida's top master-planned communities for 2025, according to John Burns Research & Consulting, reflecting its rapid growth in one of the nation's hottest housing markets.
Nearby sister community Epperson is already 94 percent occupied, while Mirada is approximately 75 percent occupied as construction continues.
Homes at Mirada range from townhomes starting at around $250,000 to mega mansions at over $1 million, while the community also offers a dedicated active adult neighborhood for residents aged 55 and over, with homes starting from around $236,000.
For buyers, however, the biggest selling point isn't necessarily the homes themselves. It's what sits in the middle of the community.
Complete with crystal-clear water, sandy beaches, paddleboarding, kayaking, floating obstacle courses and a swim-up bar, the lagoon is designed to recreate the atmosphere of an upscale Caribbean or Dubai resort without residents ever needing to leave the neighborhood.
Homeowners receive discounted access to the attraction, while visitors can also purchase day passes for around $50 - subject to availability.
'The lagoon is one of the biggest drivers of interest we see from buyers exploring communities like Epperson and Mirada,' Lisa Gibbings, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Metro Development Group, told the New York Post.
'It creates an immediate sense of excitement because it's something people can't find in a traditional neighborhood.'
Beyond the water itself, Gibbings said it's the lifestyle that continues to win buyers over.
'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.'
That Social Hub hosts more than 300 events every year, from fitness classes and family activities to holiday celebrations and community gatherings designed to encourage neighbors to mingle.
Away from the lagoon, residents also have access to walking and cycling trails, dog parks, playgrounds, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce courts, fitness centers and clubhouses, while ultra-fast internet and EV-friendly infrastructure have been built into the communities from the outset.
For active adults living in Mirada's 55-plus neighborhood, additional perks include a resort-style swimming pool with a beach entry, a full-service café and bar, wellness facilities and a packed calendar of social events.
Metro Development Group first introduced the lagoon concept nearly a decade ago with Epperson before expanding the idea on an even larger scale at Mirada.
Gibbings believes 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.
Its next major Florida community, Sandal Key in Hernando County, will feature another Crystal Lagoon alongside Metro Development Group's first-ever lazy river, as developers continue betting that buyers are willing to pay a premium for resort-style living.
'The lagoon concept continues to evolve,' Gibbings said.
'The excitement around these communities shows that people are looking for the complete package – a beautiful home in a thriving community.'
For Gibbings, the success of Mirada and Epperson proves that many buyers are rethinking what they want from modern suburban living.
'Epperson and Mirada have proven that buyers are hungry for a different kind of community,' she said. 'The lagoon is the centerpiece that creates excitement, brings people together and gives residents an experience they can't find anywhere else.'
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