Duval County’s first Lagoon community welcomed its first homeowner this week, marking a milestone in the 2,700-unit master-planned development taking shape on Jacksonville’s west side.
This move-in officially begins life in Diamond Springs, a residential community developed by Metro Development Group located at the intersection of Normandy Avenue and Bright Lagoon Avenue.
According to the development’s website, MetroLagoons “is an ideal gathering place within our community” and “acts like a town centre”.
The centerpiece of Diamond Springs will be Metro’s signature lagoon facility, designed to provide residents with a resort-like experience typically associated with resorts. Plans for the lagoon include kayaking, swimming, a floating obstacle course, a paddling pool and a swim-up bar.
![A banner hangs from the fence surrounding the Diamond Springs Lagoon area on the morning of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. Metro Development Group is developing land near Cecil Airport. The lagoon concept is designed for kayaking and swimming, with amenities such as a swim-up bar, floating obstacle course and paddling pool. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/C8mEQCMHUFMs6NYN318jAw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTUxODtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/10243a5ad29fab9200c8058c1aabbcba)
A banner hangs from the fence surrounding the Diamond Springs Lagoon area on the morning of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Florida. Metro Development Group is developing land near Cecil Airport. The lagoon concept is designed for kayaking and swimming, with amenities such as a swim-up bar, floating obstacle course and paddling pool. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Eventually, Diamond Springs will include single-family homes and townhomes built by DRB Homes, DR Horton, Dream Finders Homes and Lennar.
And the West End: New Wawa opens in Jacksonville
In addition to housing, the community was designed with connectivity and sustainability in mind, with miles of intermodal trails, solar streetlights and high-speed internet planned.
![The area where a lagoon will be built is surrounded by a fence on the morning of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Diamond Springs, Jacksonville, Florida. Metro Development Group is developing land near Cecil Airport. The lagoon concept is designed for kayaking and swimming, with amenities such as a swim-up bar, floating obstacle course and paddling pool. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/e6o9.NtuIsBVK5kByGlwiQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/a55c5915e6e6b5b10f5c821c215d2607)
The area where a lagoon will be built is surrounded by a fence on the morning of Wednesday, February 11, 2026, in Diamond Springs, Jacksonville, Florida. Metro Development Group is developing land near Cecil Airport. The lagoon concept is designed for kayaking and swimming, with amenities such as a swim-up bar, floating obstacle course and paddling pool. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
Metro estimates that up to 80 percent of homes will support protected areas or water features, integrating natural habitats into the community layout.
On February 11, community representatives gathered to welcome the community’s first homeowner, Travis Ferrell, officially marking the project’s transformation from a construction site to an active community.
![Navy veteran Travis Ferrell moved into Diamond Springs, Jacksonville's first Metro Lagoon community, Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026, and was welcomed by members of the Metro Development Group. The lagoon concept is designed for kayaking and swimming, with amenities such as a swim-up bar, floating obstacle course and splash pad. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/_p9Z.DZ1bxOmDl4ql2eZQw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcwMTtjZj13ZWJw/https://media.zenfs.com/en/the-florida-times-union/66732a83fbf7c0b97b128e32e30df1b2)
Navy veteran Travis Ferrell moved into Diamond Springs, Jacksonville’s first Metro Lagoon community, Wednesday morning, February 11, 2026, and was welcomed by members of the Metro Development Group. The lagoon concept is designed for kayaking and swimming, with amenities such as a swim-up bar, floating obstacle course and splash pad. [Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union]
“This milestone is a first for our Jacksonville company and for Duval County,” said Lisa Gibbings, vice president of corporate affairs for Metro Development Group. “Welcoming our first homeowner is very meaningful. It marks the beginning of a thoughtfully designed community centered around lifestyle, entertainment and long-term development.”
As Jacksonville continues to grow, Metro officials say Diamond Springs is expected to help expand housing options while bringing new infrastructure investment to West Jacksonville.
Construction and home sales are expected to continue in 2026 as additional phases of the development come online.
Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Tampa, Metro Development Group is Florida’s largest privately held residential developer. The company is known for its large-scale, amenity-oriented communities and the MetroLagoon concept that has been implemented across the state.
This article originally appeared in The Florida Times-Union: First homeowner moves into Diamond Springs Lagoon community
