Sapphire Bay
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Rowlett issues notice of default to Sapphire Bay developers

It was touted as a destination that would draw visitors and boost tax revenue. But a decade later, Rowlett’s embattled 'Sapphire Bay' development along Lake Ray Hubbard remains unfinished.

City leaders took a big step in trying to jump-start progress, telling developers they're in default of the agreed-upon deal.

"We view that the developer has not fulfilled their obligations, and ultimately, what we’re looking to do is get activity going on the peninsula. Up to this point, there hasn’t been noticeable activity,” said Mayor Jeff Winget.

While apartment complexes and homes have popped up over the last several years, Sapphire Bay’s website promises a 500-room resort, a 7-acre lagoon, and a surf village that all remain just land.

"Really there's a core heart of the development that's designed to be a commercial core, that's designed to have condos, that's designed to have office space, that's designed to have a hotel, things that are really going to diversify the tax base in the city, and those are things that have not come to fruition on the peninsula,” he said.

Source: https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/rowlett-issues-notice-default-sapphire-bay-developers/3932823/

Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=33841740948750055&set=pcb.1993073617930170

Looks like another 5-story apartment complex is being built.

This project seems to be progressing very slowly. If you look at all the Google Earth screenshots I’ve taken from 2019 to 2025, there is very little activity going on. Where is the resort? Does anybody know what’s going on?

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RokdkrjdIiQ

An apartment complex that erupted in flames this weekend is part of a development that has been projected to create almost $1 billion in value for the city. The fire is yet another setback at the Sapphire Bay development, which screeched to a stop in 2019 when relations soured between the city and a previous developer but later came back to life under a new project team.

Source: https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news/2023/12/18/apartments-fire-rowlett-sapphire-bay.html