Florida's giant Crystal Lagoon drives unprecedented home sales at Mirada community
A massive 15-acre man-made swimming lagoon has transformed a once-agricultural stretch of central Florida into one of the state's hottest property markets, with developers struggling to keep pace with buyer demand.
The Crystal Lagoon at Mirada in San Antonio, located approximately 30 miles north of Tampa, has become the largest swimming amenity of its kind in the United States. The turquoise water feature spans the equivalent of 11 football fields and contains 33 million gallons of water with a perimeter almost a mile long.
The development has already grown to around 3,900 occupied homes and is expected to reach 5,000 residences when complete. Mirada recently ranked sixth among Florida's top master-planned communities for 2025, according to John Burns Research & Consulting.
Technology and sustainability drive appeal
The lagoon's maintenance relies on proprietary Crystal Lagoons technology, protected by over 2,200 patents in more than 135 countries. The system uses a disinfection pulse system that injects micro-pulses of disinfecting agents only at specific points where needed, consuming up to 100 times fewer chemicals than traditional swimming pool treatment systems.
The filtration system consumes only 2 percent of the energy required by conventional pool filtration, using ultrasound technology and a mobile suction system that filters just a small portion of the total water volume. Construction of the lagoon required 17.2 million pounds of sand.
Developer experience and regional growth
Metro Development Group, Florida's largest privately held residential developer founded in 2003, opened the nation's first Crystal Lagoon at its Epperson community in 2018. That sister community is now 94 percent occupied, while Mirada stands at approximately 75 percent occupancy as construction continues.
Pasco County, where Mirada is located, experienced over 15 percent population growth between 2019 and 2023, reaching an estimated 682,179 residents by 2025. The county added more than 120,000 new residents between 2020 and 2025, making it Florida's 10th most populous county and one of the state's strongest destinations for domestic movers seeking affordable housing and new construction.
The area's transformation from its agricultural past is striking. San Antonio was historically dominated by orange groves and pine groves before transitioning to residential development in recent years.
Pricing and amenities
Homes at Mirada range from townhomes starting around $250,000 to properties exceeding $1 million. The community features homes from multiple builders including Homes by WestBay, Casa Fresca Homes, Dream Finders Homes and Maronda Homes. A dedicated 55-plus active adult neighborhood offers homes starting from approximately $236,000.
The lagoon features crystal-clear water, sandy beaches, paddleboarding, kayaking, floating obstacle courses and a swim-up bar. Homeowners receive discounted access, while day passes for visitors cost 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. It creates an immediate sense of excitement because it's something people can't find in a traditional neighborhood."
— Lisa Gibbings, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Metro Development Group
Community lifestyle beyond the water
The development's Social Hub hosts more than 300 events annually, from fitness classes and family activities to holiday celebrations. Additional amenities include walking and cycling trails, dog parks, playgrounds, pickleball and tennis courts, bocce courts, fitness centers and clubhouses.
Active adults in the 55-plus neighborhood enjoy a resort-style swimming pool with beach entry, a full-service café and bar, wellness facilities and dedicated social programming.
Market context and future plans
While Pasco County has experienced strong growth, Florida's overall net migration has slowed significantly. The state added approximately 201,000 residents through migration in 2025, down from a peak of nearly 599,000 in 2022. Domestic migration dropped to just 22,000 people in 2025 compared to 64,000 in 2024.
Despite the broader slowdown, Metro Development Group continues expanding the concept. Its next Florida community, Sandal Key in Hernando County, will feature another Crystal Lagoon alongside the developer's first lazy river.
"Epperson and Mirada have proven that buyers are hungry for a different kind of community. The lagoon is the centerpiece that creates excitement, brings people together and gives residents an experience they can't find anywhere else."
— Lisa Gibbings
