Marble Falls in talks over 463-acre resort with possible lagoon
This rendering shows prospective plans for Laguna Marble Falls, a resort complete with a 4-acre lagoon. Developers are currently in negotiations with city leaders on the proposed project. Laguna Marble Falls image
The city of Marble Falls is negotiating with a developer on plans for a 463-acre resort-lifestyle community complete with a massive lagoon.
The proposed project, dubbed “Laguna Marble Falls,” is still in its early stages with nothing set in stone or officially approved. It could include its own 4-acre lagoon, thousands of living units, hotels, restaurants, and retail space.
The current site being discussed is 3800 U.S. 281 North in the Marble Falls city limits. The resort could potentially occupy a large rural space behind Walmart between RR 1431 and U.S. 281.
“Laguna Marble Falls promises breathtaking lake views, luxurious amenities, and unparalleled relaxation,” reads an excerpt from the project’s landing page. “At Laguna Marble Falls, we’re bringing the cool urban lifestyle to the countryside. Our vision is a thriving community where residents can enjoy a balanced live-work-play environment, all within a convenient and connected setting.”
These figures could and will likely change if a development agreement is reached with the city, but the following is currently listed on the site:
- 3,293 multi-family units
- 745 single-family homes
- 321 townhome units
- 4-acre lagoon
- 10.2 acres of amenities
- 219,023 square-feet of retail space
- 41,400 square-feet of restaurants
- 177,640 square-feet of hotels
- 23 acres of parking
- 142 acres of parks and trails
“Part of me says ‘it’s a great project’ and part of me has a hard time wrapping my arms around how big it is,” Marble Falls Mayor John Packer told DailyTrib.com. “I don’t have an opinion one way or another. I just want to see how some of these big pieces come together. I feel like when these opportunities come along, the city has to consider them.”
The matter has not yet been voted on by the City Council or brought forth publicly and is still in a negotiating stage. Before anything is approved, a development agreement will have to be brought before the council in an open meeting.
Packer only recently became aware of the Laguna Marble Falls project after being elected to office in May, but Deputy City Manager Caleb Kraenzel provided more insight, explaining that the city had been in negotiations with developer iLand for months.
“We are negotiating a development agreement with them,” Kraenzel said. “The thing that takes the most time is getting to the bottom of infrastructure. I think we’re all of the mind that (the impacts of Laguna Marble Falls) would be profound, but that means different things to different people.”
Kraenzel explained that the primary appeal of Laguna Marble Falls is the tourism draw, capitalizing on the city’s desire to be a destination, but he also acknowledged the elephant in the room: water.
“(Water), of course, is at the forefront of our considerations,” he said. “We’re evaluating whether we can handle it. There is more due diligence to be done, definitely for us.”
While the exact amount of water usage for the resort hasn’t been determined, Kraenzel noted that the city could likely handle it, having more than doubled its firm water contract with the Lower Colorado River Authority in 2024 from 3,000 acre-feet per year to 7,000. He also said that the city’s incoming state-of-the-art wastewater treatment plant could aid in supporting the resort and using the city’s recycled water to service it. The city’s water capacity also is further bolstered by the wells of the Capstone Ranch groundwater system, which it acquired in 2023.
Water has been of paramount concern for residents in recent years, with both major Highland Lakes reservoirs, lakes Buchanan and Travis, hovering at around half-full or less.
According to Kraenzel, the city will only move forward if it makes sense infrastructurewise and if Marble Falls as a whole will benefit from the project. He mentioned a similar instance: When the Thunder Rock development was approved, it came with the stipulation that a large sports complex and recreation center be built along with it to serve all residents.
“This project is of such a magnitude we can enter into conversations with them about funding and cost-sharing for other projects,” Kraenzel said. “They don’t want to overspend and we don’t want to leave a nickel on the table that doesn’t benefit the community.”
The Laguna Marble Falls project is not totally unique and has a sister project nearby in Leander with the same developer. Leander Springs is similar to Laguna Marble Falls and has been on and off the regional economic radar since 2020.
According to a business plan for Laguna Marble Falls posted online as part of an EB-5 funding application, the project could generate over 1,100 jobs and require over $280 million of initial funding. The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program refers to a federal program that offers a green card and project funding to foreign investors who create jobs.
Kraenzel explained that a project like this would be done in phases and could take years to actually come to fruition.
“I really can’t say at this stage (what the chances of Laguna Marble Falls happening are), but the developer at this stage has more time and investment in coming to terms with this city than is normal.”
Editor’s Note: The story originally published mentioned a possible monorail in the headline and later on in the article as one of the potential amenities of the resort. After publication, DailyTrib.com learned from sources that, while the monorail was part of the initial planning of Laguna Marble Falls, it is currently not part of the designs.
I can’t believe that this is even being considered!!! This is PURE INSANITY, where is all that water going to come from! We’re already in a drought, what makes them think that’s going to change!!! AND THE TRAFFIC, We can’t even handle the traffic now on 281. Didn’t the city just last week request that the state do a study on how to relieve traffic on 281?? Projects like this only benefit’s the investors that come in like locusts and destroy the landscape for greed and leave town with fat wallets, plus who on the city council thinks this is a great idea?? If they do, they need their heads examined! A HUGE NO to this monstrosity!!
I noticed the irony of a relief route study at the same time this is being even considered. Insane!
CM Kraenzel knows the water requirements as pointed out this mirror’s the Leander proposed project that already posted water requirements.
A new water treatment plant to be online in 10 years does not consider this type of project requirement at all.
Water is the topic and the jobs not well-paid.
This would be a tragedy if allowed to be built. Developers have plagued Central Texas and its system of Lakes as water supply which has been suffering from severe droughts and lack of adequate rain. Cedar Park, Lago Vista, Leander, Liberty Hill are all over developed and over built so much so trees have made way to housing and also limited the rainfall. Stop this over sized project as it will ruin Marble Falls & its natural charm completely
Absolutely not. That looks awful.
Eyes in the sky not feet of the ground. This isn’t the improvement of Marble Falls, this is a few small town administrators trying to make names for themselves at the costs of the people that live and pay for this great town. They don’t care about the water, the traffic, the impact to all the people that can barely afford to live in the town they were born and raised in. These wannabes just keep driving up prices and taxes and spending hoping to lure those big city spenders and displace the poor and middle class that are the backbone of this town. A town where most of the emergency services employees live elsewhere due to not being paid enough to live in the town itself.
If you were paying attention to this message you noticed I said TOWN, not city. Because although for their own selfish ambitions they try to run it like a Democrat run big city, we are still a town…and one whose council and staff want to act big, get their names in the papers, move up to bigger and better deals, and all on the backs and tax dollars of the people they ignore and run out of their own town. Ashamed to be from here anymore.
Well said.
Leander didn’t fall for this pitch, neither should marble falls. It would be a BOONDOGGLE. It could almost double our population but not jobs, roads, schools etc.
What a huge mistake this would be!. More traffic on already congested roads. It will put stress on the school district and make severe water restrictions a way of life. We are running out of water and yet the out of control building continues. Where is common sense??. I agree- developers will get rich while normal people will pay the price!
Wow!
NO NO—that water needs to be for all the new residents moving here, for all the new houses and apartments being built. Go look at Lake Travis.. the water is not there! Developers will make money, but normal people will pay in the long run.