Through our survey, a number of Flower Mound residents expressed visions for Lakeside that capitalize on the site’s distinctive lake-view location and its proximity to Grapevine and DFW Airport.
None of these visions surpasses that of Virginia “Ginger” Simonson.
One Flower Mound resident hopes that Lakeside may one day resemble a small Glyfada, Greece, where nightclubs, shops, restaurants, and housing dot the waterfront.
“I would love to see Lakeside DFW transformed into a Mediterranean styled ‘living, eating, playing’ area similar to what I experienced in Glyfada, Greece,” said the retired Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army, who served for 24 years.
Glyfada (click here for more photos) is considered the most fashionable, waterfront suburb of Athens. Aristotle Onassis lived here with Jackie Kennedy.
“There are numerous sea-side cafes and restaurants; beach areas and public venue areas where arts/crafts are displayed and sold; high-rise condos just off the coast-line have stunning views of the sea.”
“I envision that this type of development on Lake Grapevine would benefit from the ‘spill-over effect’ from the Grapevine tourist/wine industry,” said Simonson, whose husband Keith (also an Army officer) served along with her in Greece for three years.
“It also would fill a much needed gap for housing for young professionals and empty-nesters who desire to remain in Flower Mound, but don’t want sprawling McMansions.”
“The development needs to cater not only to Flower Mound residents,” suggested a Flower Mound resident who responded on-line without providing his or her name, “but should also consider out-of-town visitors due to the proximity to DFW Airport.”
“Lakeside DFW needs high-end dining options, bars, and restaurants. It needs to complement the Riverwalk development somehow, ” the resident added. “Flower Mound residents alone can’t support Lakeside and Riverwalk if both have the same concepts, ideas, and tenants.”
A charming variety of architectural designs at Santana Row are combined with shaded grassy plazas, courtyards, intimate public seating areas, and multi-use destinations such as Park Valencia, which hosts live music, a farmer’s market, and other public gatherings.
“I am hoping for a beautiful shopping center that has many amenities,” wrote Susan Johnson on her survey, “including an amphitheater, trails (hike, bike & walk), spa/fitness center, patio cafes, etc.”
“We have a beautiful backdrop in Lake Grapevine,” said Johnson, “that needs to be utilized if the land is to be developed.
“The ideal center would be something like Santana Row in San Jose, CA.”
Located on a 42-acre former mall site in the heart of Silicon Valley, Santana Row (click for more photos) began development in 2001 and features 563,000 sq. ft. of retail (60 shops plus a half-dozen spas and lifestyle service purveyors), 26 eating and drinking establishments, a six-screen cinema, the 213-room Valencia hotel, and 514 residential units (a combination of high-end rental units and condominiums).
Jodie Boutilier found a vision closer to home.
“Shopping (mid to high end), with residences, condominiums, and senior living,” Boutiler said. “A place similar to Legacy Town Center where you can enjoy the lake (or in their case the fountain) and have holiday parties but also a hotel for events.”
“Emphasize ecology by showcasing solar and wind power,” ventured another Flower Mound resident whom we were unable to reach for permission to use his name. “Make “zero energy shopping” where people can truly feel cool and good at the same time. Expand the same theme along FM2499 and over the dam (e.g. add good bike trails from north and Grapevine hotels).”
All of the comments residents wrote in on our amenity survey can be found here. If you enjoyed this story, please see:
Southlake Town Square can’t be duplicated in Flower Mound
Flower Mound responsible for success at Lakeside
NOTE: You are encouraged to take our one-minute amenity survey by clicking here (if you haven’t already). The responses play an important role in the planning of Lakeside DFW and in helping town officials understand what citizens want at Lakeside.
I like the idea of Mediterranean. However, the pictures here of Glyfeda, Greece are not enticing at all. Hopefully, there are better renditions of what is being planned, that are more interesting, welcoming and fun. The actual Greece pictures are a turn-off and hopefully not the actual model for Lakeside.
For a more accurate rendering of the Mediterranean style being considered for Lakeside, click here.