Eclipse event also previews coming attractions

Guests at Lakeside Village’s Epic Eclipse Event on April 8 sported more than eclipse glasses — they wore hard hats. Guests also were required to sign waivers. Why? The event was staged on an active construction site: 3111 Sunset, a 16-story luxury residential tower scheduled to open in early 2025 near the southern end of Lakeside Village. Why a construction site?

“We recognized the amenity deck on the sixth floor of 3111 Sunset offered a unique viewing platform,” said Jordan Dinkins, chief marketing officer of Lakeside Village, who organized the event. “The panoramic views of Lake Grapevine there were bound to enhance the eclipse experience for our guests. 

“We think they’ll always remember where they were.”

The Eclipse Event also served as a preview of 3111, especially the sixth floor deck — future home to a residents’ lounge and bar, outdoor heated pool and hot tub, outdoor kitchen (including a pizza oven), fire pit, and much more. 

The 150 or so guests included Realty Capital investors, Villas by Van Trease buyers and prospects, Lakeside Tower residents, several original Lakeside homebuyers, some special guests of the Flower Mound Chamber of Commerce, Flower Mound Town Councilman Jim Engel, Town Manager James Childers, the Honorable Andy Eads (Denton County Judge), plus lenders who have contributed to Lakeside’s development. 

Around noon, guests began taking the construction elevators to the sixth floor and walking out to the large outdoor deck. The views stretch from the southeast to the northwest, capturing nearly all of Lake Grapevine, rolling topography, planes landing at DFW, the Dallas skyline on a clear day, plus lots and lots of sky. 

Classical and Spanish music (courtesy of Russ Hewitt’s ensemble) greeted guests who were served tasty hors d’oevres provided by Sip & Savor. (Yes, the musicians were required to wear hard hats, too.)

“My husband and I like to ride our mountain bikes on the Northshore Trail,” commented Leslie Turner, who is moving with her husband from a town home in Lakeside to one of the villas attached to Lakeside Tower. “We’re constantly walking right down here [just below 3111] and looking up and contemplating what this building is like. We are so happy to be here to see it.” 

3111 Sunset will feature 207 residences with a mix of floor plans (from one to three bedrooms), 29 penthouses, and six townhomes on the ground floor. Rents that start at $4,000 will include access to the sky lounge on the 15th floor.

“People had time at the Eclipse Event to see and feel what’s happening down here,” explained Peter Stewart, general partner of Lakeside Village Partners, Ltd., who initiated the idea to coordinate an event around the eclipse. 

“My conversations,” he added, “generally led to a walk over to the south edge of the building where I pointed out where the hotel, office, wedding chapel, restaurants, and amphitheater will be located.”

“As a lender, investor, or buyer, it is one thing to see a plan and spreadsheet on this project,” said Greg Smith of Comerica Bank, a Lakeside lender. “But to be up here above the lake, it’s a whole other experience. There’s no better sales tool.

“Surprisingly, the eclipse was powerful, awe-inspiring. It was the first eclipse of my life, and I was unsure what to expect exactly. But it was very moving.”

Speaking of moving:  “If you want to live somewhere,” explained Jay Huyler, a Lakeside resident since 2019, “you should ask, ‘What is the livable space? Where are you going to spend your time?’

“To see the pool and this view, I’m going to say it right now, This is the best pool in DFW, hands down. Everyone else,” he emphasized, “is battling for second place.

“I’m in. Where do I sign?” (The answer: here.)

In his remarks at the Eclipse Event, Jimmy Archie, a managing partner of both Lakeside Village Partners, Ltd. and Realty Capital, welcomed the guests and gave special thanks to Archer Western, the general contractor on 3111 Sunset (as well as one of the project’s investors). 

“What a feat it was — with 200-300 people working on the building — to shut construction down to give us the opportunity to come out here and experience the eclipse overlooking Lake Grapevine,” Archie insisted. “This event couldn’t have happened without their participation.”

Archie also drew attention to the $1.5 billion worth of projects under development in the lower 40 of Lakeside Village’s 150 acres. 

“There will be so much to do in Lakeside Village’s south end. In 5 years, we want everybody in Dallas-Fort Worth to know about what we have to offer. We want them to know that you can come out here and experience nature in a way that isn’t possible anywhere else in North Texas.

“It’s going to be a tourist attraction as well as a luxury resort community.” Click here for a video overview of Lakeside Village’s 150 acres.

“It’s really exciting what is happening here,” said Bartonville resident and Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket personality, George Dunham. “It’s incredible there are going to be these kind of amenities around the lake. A lot of people are going to be talking about [Lakeside Village] in the next couple of years.”

“We didn’t have any idea there were these kinds of views in Dallas-Fort Worth,” he and wife Kelly agreed, “and we used to go out on this lake all the time.”

“I was thinking on my way to the Eclipse Event,” said Andy Eads, Denton County Judge, “of all the people in the future who will be coming to Lakeside Village, working here, living here, enjoying entertainment here. 

“Lakeside Village is going to be a great landmark, not just for Flower Mound, but for all of Dallas-Fort Worth.”