Crystal Lagoons® amenity to be Heart of Groundbreaking, Innovative Disney Project

14-03-25

The stunning turquoise-colored body of water exemplifies how innovation and sustainability can transform the real estate industry.

In California, United States, “Cotino®, a Storyliving by Disney™ community” is progressing as the first real estate project developed by the global entertainment giant. The 250-hectare complex, which will soon welcome its first residents, is designed to offer a unique living experience, combining Disney’s magic with the charm of the Californian desert.

At the heart of the development is a stunning lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology bringing an idyllic beach lifestyle to an inland area of California.

Alejandro González, Senior VP of Engineering & Operations at Crystal Lagoons, shares more details about the project in this interview:

“This project marks an important step in expanding our lagoons in exclusive developments globally.”

Alejandro Gonzalez
Senior Vice President of Engineering & Operations at Crystal Lagoons.

What are the main features of the Cotino project?

Cotino®, a Storyliving by Disney™ community” is an innovative real estate development created in partnership with Disney under the Storyliving by Disney™ concept. Located in Rancho Mirage, California, it will offer a first-class residential community with diverse housing options, commercial areas, and recreational spaces. One of its most distinctive elements will be a crystalline lagoon with turquoise waters, which will be the project’s centerpiece, providing an exclusive, sustainable, and unique environment for residents and visitors.

What role does the lagoon play in development?

The lagoon will be the heart of Cotino®, providing an exceptional natural environment for recreation, relaxation, and social interaction. Its design will allow residents to enjoy an oasis of crystalline waters in the middle of the desert, generating an unparalleled lifestyle. In addition, it will become an icon within the project, adding value to the community and differentiating it from any other development in the region.

Why is Cotino such an iconic project for Crystal Lagoons?

Cotino® represents a milestone for Crystal Lagoons, as it is the first Storyliving by Disney™ project in the world to feature our innovative crystalline lagoon technology. Its integration into this development reaffirms our ability to transform spaces and offer sustainable solutions that redefine the residential and tourism experience. This project marks an important step in expanding our lagoons in exclusive developments globally.

What have been the biggest challenges you have faced during the development of the project?

One of the main challenges has been ensuring that the lagoon meets the rigorous sustainability and quality standards required for the development of this scale. Additionally, integrating our technology with Disney’s vision has required a meticulous approach to design and planning. Moreover, the location in the California desert presents challenges regarding water supply and maintenance—areas where our technology has been key to ensuring the project’s viability.

Has the sustainability of Crystal Lagoons® technology been a key factor in this project? Why?

Definitely.
Our technology has been a crucial element at Cotino®, as it allows for creating and maintaining large bodies of water with minimal resource consumption. Unlike traditional systems, our lagoons use significantly less water, energy, and chemicals, making them ideal for an environment like Rancho Mirage. This reinforces the project’s commitment to sustainability and ensures its harmonious integration with the natural environment.

How has it been to work with Disney?

The collaboration with Disney has been an enriching experience. Their focus on innovation, excellence, and experience creation has further elevated the standard of our work. It has been a process of mutual learning, where we have integrated our expertise in sustainable water solutions with their unique vision for themed communities. The result is a development that combines the best of both companies to deliver an extraordinary project.

''Cotino® exemplifies how innovation and sustainability can transform the real estate industry. Combining Disney’s expertise in creating themed communities with our Crystal Lagoons® technology has resulted in an exceptional project. We are excited to participate in this initiative and continue expanding our vision of sustainable aquatic spaces in high-end developments worldwide.”

Alejandro Gonzalez
Senior Vice President of Engineering & Operations at Crystal Lagoons.

Why did Disney decide to incorporate a crystalline lagoon in its first real estate project?

Disney has always been committed to innovation and creating unique experiences. Incorporating a crystal-clear lagoon in Cotino® allows them to offer a paradisiacal and sustainable environment aligned with their vision of quality of life and community. Beyond its aesthetic and functional appeal, the lagoon enhances the exclusivity of the project, providing residents with a unique experience that cannot be found in any other real estate development.

What will Cotino’s contribution be to the area in which it is located?

Cotino®, a Storyliving by Disney™ community, will positively impact Rancho Mirage and its surroundings, positioning itself as a premier residential and tourist destination. Its development will boost the local economy by generating jobs, increasing property value in the area, and attracting visitors. Additionally, it will offer a sustainable environment that combines luxury with environmental responsibility, setting a benchmark for the region.

While Cotino® is the first Crystal Lagoons® project in California, in the United States, the multinational innovation company has a total of 275 developments at different development and negotiation stages. Some of the most notable projects include Sole Mia, Epperson, Lago Mar, Mirada, Balmoral, Windsong Ranch, Beachwalk, Aqua, Southshore Bay, among others.

Outstanding news

Not Just Idyllic Beach Lifestyle, a Crystalline Lagoon Also Increases Return on Investment and Property Value.

A lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology changes the game: it doesn’t operate as an “add-on,” but as the project’s commercial centerpiece, capable of turning a development into a destination, increasing value per square meter, accelerating sales, and opening new revenue streams.

In real estate, ROI isn’t something you “feel”: it’s measured. And when we talk about amenities, the critical question for any developer isn’t whether something looks spectacular, but how much it increases value, how much it accelerates sales velocity, and how sustainable (and defensible) those results are over time.

That’s where a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology changes the game: it doesn’t operate as an “add-on,” but as the project’s commercial centerpiece, capable of turning a development into a destination.

The Direct Impact on Price per Square Meter

Integrating a crystalline lagoon transforms a project’s economic geography. By bringing idyllic beach life to any location—whether it’s inland, in the heart of a city, or in the middle of the desert—it creates immediate value.

What does “increasing value” really mean in a real estate project?

In practice, “value uplift” is expressed through four variables that directly impact returns:

Price premium per square meter (pricing power)
Faster sales velocity (absorption)
Greater asset appreciation (resale/capital appreciation)
New revenue streams (in public-access models), where the lagoon can operate with paid entry and create additional income streams.

The data-driven answer: how much value can increase with a crystalline lagoon

There isn’t a single percentage that applies to every market, but real-world cases show consistent impacts on pricing and commercial performance.

Case 1: Epperson (Florida, USA) — pre-sale premium and accelerated sales velocity

At Epperson, once the addition of a crystalline lagoon was announced, sale prices increased by 21% in the pre-construction phase, while competitors rose only 1% to 5%.

In addition, between January and June 2021, sales increased by +174% (compared to 2020), reaching 342 units sold.

The result: the “lagoon effect” doesn’t just allow you to charge more but also reduces the time it takes to convert interest into signed contracts.

Case 2: Baía Kristal (Cartagena, Colombia) — appreciation and accelerated sell-out

At Baía Kristal, the sale value per m² doubled (100%) in 2.3 years, while comparable projects grew only 5% to 15% over the same period.

The project sold 1,560 apartments in 2.3 years, averaging 56 units per month, when it was originally projected to take 7 years to sell out.

The result: when an amenity becomes “iconic,” appreciation can be accompanied by an equally—or even more—powerful advantage: sales velocity.

Why a crystalline lagoon truly moves ROI (and isn’t comparable to a pool)

The key difference is that a crystalline lagoon doesn’t compete in the “amenity” category: it competes in the “lifestyle” category. And that changes willingness to pay.

1) True differentiation (not a commodity)

A traditional pool is replicable. A crystalline lagoon creates an immediate “wow factor” and a sellable narrative (“beach lifestyle”) that multiplies appeal and memorability.

2) Sustainability and efficiency that support the model

The value proposition isn’t just aesthetic: it’s also operational efficiency. Crystal Lagoons® sustainable technology can operate using up to 100 times fewer chemicals and only 2% of the energy used by conventional swimming pool filtration systems.

In addition, it enables low water consumption: up to 33 times less water than a golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size, and it can use fresh, salt, or brackish water.

What this means for ROI: an amenity that drives pricing and sales, while also helping meet sustainability/ESG criteria, tends to be more defensible over time.

4. The PAL® Model: Monetization Beyond Real Estate Sales

A unique innovation maximizing ROI for investors are Public Access Lagoons® projects, also known as PAL® developments. This business model allows the lagoonto operate as a public tourist attraction through ticket sales.

This turns the amenity into an independent business unit that generates perpetual revenue through:

· Daily ticket sales (ticket revenue).

· Corporate events and weddings.

· Retail, food & beverage, and watersports around the lagoon, plus concerts, outdoor cinema, and hundreds of other activities.

How to estimate “how much” ROI increases in a project

If you’re evaluating integrating a crystalline lagoon, a simple, but solid, model typically includes:

Projected premium by unit type and view (lagoon-front vs. interior)
Absorption effect: expected monthly sales with and without the lagoon
Impact on CAC / commercial efficiency: more organic leads, better conversion, less reliance on discounts
Land value / early-phase uplift: pre-sales and construction stage (where much of the upside is captured)
Comparative OPEX: energy, chemicals, maintenance (and the impact on NOI, especially in hospitality)
Complementary revenues (if applicable): ticketing + events + F&B + commercial lease income

When an amenity is measured in sales, it speaks for itself.

So, how much does a property’s value increase with a crystalline lagoon?

The cases demonstrate that the impact can show up as a price premium (e.g., +21% in pre-sales at Epperson), faster sales velocity (+174%), and appreciation that far outperforms the market (e.g., +100% in 2.3 years at Baía Kristal).

In a market where differentiation is no longer optional, a crystalline lagoon isn’t a “nice-to-have” expense: it’s a business tool to sell faster, sell better, and sustain value with a sustainable value proposition.

06-02-2026

Crystal Lagoons in 2025: Records, Rankings, and the Boom of New Amenities with Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ Technology

2025 marks a historic year for Crystal Lagoons: a record number of projects signed, strong presence in U.S. top-selling rankings (RCLCO), and the groundbreaking launch of the Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ concept.

In 2025, Crystal Lagoons delivered one of the strongest years in its recent history. With an expansion pace higher than in 2024, the multinational innovation company not only accelerated its global growth, but also reinforced, through market data, a key trend for real estate developers and hospitality projects: when an amenity is truly disruptive, it becomes a business.

The outcome was threefold: on the one hand, a record year for signed projects and new operational lagoons; on the other, strong validation in the United States, where communities featuring Crystal Lagoons® technology once again ranked among the country’s top-selling; and finally, a new technology created to fill a gap that, in just four months, is already a success.

2025 in figures: real, measurable, multi-sector expansion

Crystal Lagoons closed 2025 with milestones that speak directly to what matters in real estate and hospitality: execution, scale, and pipeline.

15 new operational lagoons.
50 new projects signed, surpassing the 2024 record.
More than 180 projects under negotiation or construction, including real estate, hospitality, Public Access Lagoons®, and Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ developments.

These figures send a powerful signal: demand for “beach lifestyle” experiences continue to grow, and the Crystal Lagoons value proposition keeps capturing that preference.

The “Lagoon Effect” shows up in sales: Crystal Lagoons in RCLCO’s Top 50 (U.S.)

The U.S. real estate market is one of the most competitive in the world, and RCLCO’s annual ranking (Real Estate Advisors) is considered the definitive barometer of success. In its 2025 edition, projects anchored by a Crystal Lagoons® amenity stood out among the country’s top-selling master-planned communities, once again validating that lagoons drive sales velocity.

The developments that stood out in the Top 50 are:

1. 5th place – Sunterra (Katy, Texas): With 1,024 units sold, it was crowned as the highest-ranked community in all of Texas within the ranking. Sunterra’s success shows that geographic location becomes secondary when a world-class amenity is delivered.

2. 14th place – Mirada (San Antonio, Florida): With 650 units sold, this project reaffirms the dominance of the technology in the Sunshine State.

3. 47th place – Lago Mar (Texas City, Texas): A longtime presence in the rankings that remains its appeal with 380 units sold, proving the model’s long-term sustainability.

Beyond the ranking positions, the strategic takeaway is the pattern: Florida and Texas dominate Top 50 performance, and that’s precisely where Crystal Lagoons has consolidated high-impact projects. This reinforces that the crystalline lagoon doesn’t function as “decoration,” but as a traction driver in highly competitive markets.

The 2025 Revolution: Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ Technology

While large crystalline lagoons are the company’s signature, 2025 saw the birth of an industry game-changer: Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology.

This new concept is designed for projects where space, budget, or format previously limited the ability to incorporate a “beach lifestyle” with large-scale lagoons.

What they are and why they’re positioned as “game-changing”:

· Standardized lagoons ranging from 0.25 acre to 1 acre.

· In just four months, the model already shows commercial success: 17 projects signed and more than 120 under negotiation.

This format enables real estate developers to access the benefits of a crystalline lagoon without requiring the large land footprints of a traditional master plan.

Key features of the Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ concept:

Instant visual impact: turquoise waters + white-sand beaches as the project’s icon.
Efficient design: built to maximize ROI per m², turning the center of the master plan into a beach destination at a fraction of the cost of traditional swimming pools.
Replicable model: standardization that speeds up implementation for certain project types.
Versatile use cases: from multifamily and urban projects to hotels, boutique resorts, mixed-use developments, and short-term rental–oriented projects.

In practice, these smaller lagoons respond to a clear market demand: an amenity that doesn’t require “mega-scale” to generate a premium, drive sales, and strengthen positioning.

A spectacular year that sets the trend for 2026

2025 has made it clear that innovation is the path to profitability. Whether leading U.S. sales rankings with large-scale projects or unlocking new niches with the Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology, the multinational innovation company continues to set the standard in the development of sustainable amenities.

For real estate developers, the market message is clear: turquoise isn’t just a color; it’s a competitive advantage that sells in record time.

Original content.

30-01-2026

The “Lagoon Effect” Once Again Places Crystal Lagoons® Projects Among the Top-Selling Communities in the U.S.

Sunterra, Mirada, and Lago Mar are the three projects that once again made the ranking “The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2025” by consulting firm RCLCO Real Estate Advisors.

In the hypercompetitive U.S. residential real estate market, differentiation is everything. Developers of Master-Planned Communities (MPCs) are constantly looking for that disruptive element that not only draws attention but also dramatically accelerates sales velocity and justifies premium pricing.

Once again, the data confirms the answer is turquoise.

RCLCO Real Estate Advisors’ latest report, one of the leading U.S. real estate research and advisory firms, “The Top-Selling Master-Planned Communities of 2025” validates what has become an undeniable industry trend: the presence of a Crystal Lagoons® amenity is the most powerful sales driver in today’s market. It’s no coincidence that, year after year, projects anchored by this innovation secure leading positions in this prestigious national ranking.

In 2025, three iconic developments featuring Crystal Lagoons® technology have ranked among the top 50 best-selling communities nationwide, proving that the promise of an idyllic, sustainable, and accessible “beach life” is an irresistible magnet for buyers.

The results: three Crystal Lagoons® projects in RCLCO’s Top 50

In the 2025 edition of the ranking, three communities with Crystal Lagoons® amenity stand out:

5th place, Sunterra (Katy, Texas): 1,024 units sold – the highest-ranked community in Texas in the Top 50.
14th place, Mirada (San Antonio, Florida): 650 units sold.
47th place, Lago Mar (Texas City, Texas): 380 units sold.

Beyond the ranking, the key takeaway is strategic: two states dominate the Top 50’s performance -Florida and Texas- and those are precisely the markets where Crystal Lagoons has consolidated high-impact, high-performing projects.

Case by case: what explains the performance of Sunterra, Mirada, and Lago Mar

1) Sunterra (Texas): Top 5 consistency and multi-year proof of the “lagoon effect”

Sunterra doesn’t just appear in 2025: it has been a consistent top performer. The project itself highlights that it ranked #3 nationally in 2023, #4 in 2024, and now #5 in 2025, reinforcing that this isn’t a one-off result: it’s a structural advantage.

In addition, it is a large-scale MPC (1,000 acres), where the 4-acre lagoon serves as the lifestyle anchor and a key driver of sustaining sales momentum in a highly competitive market, such as the Houston/Katy area.

RCLCO 2025 data: #5 nationally, 1,024 sales.

2) Mirada (Florida): An “inland beach” that sustains strong sales volume

Mirada features an approximately 14.9-acre lagoon within an approximately 1,799-acre community in the Tampa Bay area, combining residents and Public Access Lagoons® model, expanding visibility and driving traffic.

RCLCO 2025 data: #14 nationally, 650 sales.

And as a sign of its trajectory, RCLCO had already highlighted Mirada for its strong performance in previous ranking updates (Top 10 mid-year 2024), showing that the project is maintaining momentum.

3) Lago Mar (Texas): Sales + a hybrid model (residents + Public Access Lagoons® model)

Lago Mar combines scale (over 1,999 acres) with an 11.49-acre lagoon, designed as a signature amenity and complemented by mixed-use components, including plans for hospitality, retail, and waterfront experiences.

RCLCO 2025 data: #47 nationally, 380 sales.

In markets like Texas, where competition among MPCs is intense, this type of amenity acts as a demand catalyst, strengthening perceived premium value and differentiation.

Why MPCs with Crystal Lagoons sell more: the “amenity” becomes a business

U.S. homebuyers are no longer just shopping for square footage, they’re buying a lifestyle. And when that lifestyle is iconic, tangible, and shareable, it becomes a competitive advantage that’s hard to replicate.

From a business perspective, a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology unlocks three key levers:

1) True differentiation (not a commodity)

A crystalline lagoon with sandy beaches redefines the community’s “center of gravity,” elevating the offering from “standard amenities” to a true destination.

2) Scalable efficiency and sustainability
Crystal Lagoons® technology is designed to be more efficient than traditional systems: it uses only 2% of the energy required by conventional pools and up to 100 times fewer chemicals, and it can operate with fresh, brackish, or seawater.

3) Proven commercial performance at scale
RCLCO has been tracking MPC sales for decades (publishing this ranking since 1994), making it a long-term benchmark for understanding which communities truly gain traction.

When an amenity is measured in sales, turquoise speaks for itself

That Sunterra (#5), Mirada (#14), and Lago Mar (#47) rank in RCLCO’s Top 50 isn’t a PR headline: it’s a direct market signal. In a ranking based on net new-home contracts (net of cancellations), these communities prove that Crystal Lagoons® technology doesn’t just enhance a development: it accelerates commercial performance.

RCLCO

16-01-2026