Crystal Lagoons Third Amenity in Texas Enters Final Stages Of Development

• Turquoise waters, sandy shores, and activities: this new technology transforms multifamily developments into a place where people want to live and stay.

In 2026, the multifamily market is competing on a very specific battleground: the resident’s everyday experience. It’s no longer enough to simply “have a pool.” Today, the winning project is the one that becomes a place people want to live, stay, and recommend.

In that context, the patented Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ concept emerges as a true game-changing solution: a new amenity category for multifamily communities, capable of delivering resort-style beach living (turquoise waters + white sand) in compact spaces and at costs significantly lower than those of a traditional pool.

What is Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ and why is it different?

The Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ concept was designed to bring an idyllic beach experience to multifamily communities, in areas starting at 5,400 sq ft, with standardized models that make implementation easier.

Unlike a swimming pool (which is often seen as “an add-on”), a small lagoon can become the social heart of the project: a true gathering point, highly visible and photogenic, that boosts the development’s appeal from day one.

The problem with “more of the same”: when the pool stops being a differentiator

In many cities, a pool is already a commodity. If every building offers the same thing, the amenity stops influencing the decision.

Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models offers something different: They don’t compete only on size; they compete on experience. And that experience translates into the metrics that matter in multifamily:

• More interest (and higher conversion) in leasing
• Greater willingness to pay for premium units (views / access)
• Improved resident retention and satisfaction
• Higher long-term asset value

Key benefits for multifamily developers

1) An amenity that truly differentiates (and shows up in demand)

Turquoise waters and white sand create an immediate “wow” effect. This helps the project be perceived as resort-style living, even in landlocked cities or on space-constrained sites.

2) Better leasing performance: more appeal, more demand, higher rents, greater value

In a competitive market, a highly differentiated amenity can drive:

• Stronger leasing performance (more inquiries and higher-quality tours)
• Higher rents for unit types with “lagoon views” or proximity
• Greater long-term asset value thanks to the project’s positioning

3) Real social life within the community (and longer resident stay)

One of the typical pain points in multifamily is low interaction and limited amenity usage. Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models are designed to be a place where things actually happen:

• Everyday beach-style relaxation
• A waterfront pedestrian promenade
• In-water fitness and recreation
• Resident events and programming

When the amenity is truly used, perceived value goes up, and that shows up in reviews, recommendations, and retention.

Different sizes for different sites

For multifamily projects, Crystal Lagoons offers standardized sizes:

• 5,400 sq ft
• 0.25 acres
• 0.5 acres
• 0.75 acres
• 1 acre

This opens up possibilities for both:

• New developments
• Repurposing underutilized common areas
• Upgrading existing projects that need a “step up” in positioning

Much more impactful than a pool, at a fraction of the cost

If an amenity isn’t profitable to build and operate, it doesn’t work. That’s why one of the strongest differentiators of Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models is their efficiency:

• Up to 4 times lower construction cost than a swimming pool of the same size
• Maintenance costs of up to one-third compared with traditional swimming pools
• Hydraulic equipment replacement is virtually negligible compared with pools (where that replacement represents a significant share of the total cost)

This makes it possible to think of the amenity not as a “nice-to-have” expense, but as an investment with clear financial rationale.

Technology designed to simplify (and speed up) implementation

In multifamily, time matters. That’s why the patented Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ innovation is built on standardized models designed to:

• Reduce design timelines
• Streamline the permitting process
• Accelerate implementation

In addition, it incorporates patented ultrasonic flocculation technology that eliminates the need to filter the entire body of water, significantly reducing the energy use and equipment required.

Innovations that enhance the experience (without complicating the project)

Lagoon Lounge: the edge that changes how the lagoon is used

One of the keys to getting an amenity used more is comfort. Lagoon Lounge creates a shallow ledge that invites people to sit, sunbathe, or relax, turning the shoreline into a social space.

Its construction design optimizes the perimeter and helps reduce construction costs.

Eco-Heated Lagoons: a “heated” beach experience year-round

For seasonal markets, there’s the option of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™, which makes it possible to offer a thermal beach experience all year-round, using heat sources such as data centers or crypto-mining operations.

An Irreplicable Asset

In 2026, differentiation isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity. Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology enables multifamily developers to offer an amenity you can be seen, experienced, and measured: more attractive for leasing, higher perceived value, and more efficient to operate than traditional systems.

When a project needs a real step up in positioning (without requiring a massive site), the answer can be surprisingly simple: bringing beach life home.

Original content

• Spanning 8.64 acres, featuring seven white-sand beaches, and a highly efficient design, the project demonstrates how an iconic amenity can transform a real estate development into a true destination.

Real estate innovation in Central America has reached a new milestone. Crystal Lagoons has completed the construction of a new crystalline lagoon, this time in Costa Rica, specifically at Ciudad NYA, a mixed-use urban development in Liberia, Guanacaste. The project marks the completion of the construction phase of the development’s most iconic amenity and paves the way for a new stage of residential, commercial, and experiential activation throughout 2026.

Spanning 8.64 acres, featuring seven white-sand beaches, a central island with docks, and a mile-long perimeter path, the lagoon is integrated as the heart of the project and as a new benchmark for lifestyle real estate in the region. In a market where developers need to stand out with memorable proposals, Ciudad NYA demonstrates how a high-impact amenity can redefine a real estate asset’s value proposition.

Ciudad NYA: A Mixed-Use Project with a Long-Term Vision

The lagoon is part of Ciudad NYA, a project located in Liberia that includes more than 2,224 acres of development and natural conservation. Its concept integrates residential, commercial, services, tourism, and recreational spaces under a vision of environmental sustainability and modern urban planning.

This context is key to understanding the value of Crystal Lagoons® technology. In a mixed-use development, a crystalline lagoon is more than just an amenity; it serves as infrastructure for attraction, identity, and activation. The completion of this construction phase also coincides with preparations for the delivery of the first residential units in Tower A, as well as the future opening of commercial, recreational, and entertainment spaces throughout 2026.

A Driver of Value Appreciation and Differentiation for Developers

The completion of this lagoon at Ciudad NYA sends a clear message to the real estate industry in Central America: a project’s value is no longer measured solely by its location, but by the experience it can create.

• Sales Acceleration: The presence of a crystalline lagoon acts as a magnet for buyers and international investors, significantly reducing the sales cycle for residential units.
• Urban Landscape Transformation: In Liberia, an area traditionally known for its warm climate and distance from the immediate coastline, Ciudad NYA creates a “beachfront,” exponentially increasing the value per square foot.
• Business Model Resilience: As the first project of its kind in Costa Rica, Ciudad NYA gains a first-mover competitive advantage, establishing a strong barrier to entry for competitors that do not offer this level of innovation.

Sustainability: The Decisive Factor for the Costa Rican Market

For a market like Costa Rica, where environmental protection is a cornerstone of national identity, Crystal Lagoons® technology stands out as the only solution capable of delivering responsible luxury.

Unlike conventional swimming pools or traditional artificial lakes, the multinational innovation company’s patented technology stands out for its extreme efficiency:

1. Minimal Water Consumption: It is filled only once and operates as a closed-circuit system that only requires compensation for natural evaporation, using up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size.
2. Energy Efficiency: It uses only 2% of the energy required by traditional pool filtration systems.
3. Low Chemical Use: Its pulse-based disinfection system allows it to use up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a conventional swimming pool.

What’s Next for Ciudad NYA

With construction now complete, Ciudad NYA is entering a new activation phase. During 2026, the project is expected to deliver the first residential units in Tower A, along with the opening of retail spaces, recreational areas, and a program of sports, cultural, and entertainment activities.

This new phase positions the lagoon as a centerpiece of the project experience and as a driver for attracting residents, visitors, and commercial interest in one of the country’s most promising areas.

An Amenity That Transforms

The completion of Costa Rica’s first crystalline lagoon at Ciudad NYA confirms how an iconic amenity can transform a real estate development into a destination. For developers, the project demonstrates that it is possible to combine differentiation, experience, sustainability, and a long-term vision into a single value proposition.

Periódico Mensaje

• This innovation is generating strong media attention in the United States and Latin America because it brings the idyllic beach experience to more compact projects, at a lower cost than a traditional swimming pool and with strong potential to increase property value, sales, and occupancy.

The launch of the new 5,400 sq ft Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ model is attracting strong media attention across the United States and Latin America. This interest is no coincidence: it is the smallest format the multinational water innovation company has introduced to date, designed to compete directly with commercial swimming pools and bring Crystal Lagoons® technology to smaller-scale real estate and hospitality projects.

The news story has already been covered in over 630 media outlets, establishing the new format as one of Crystal Lagoons’ most high-profile recent innovations. Among the leading outlets featured in the media coverage are AP, FOX, NBC, ABC, Benzinga, Yahoo!, Agencia EFE, Revista Fortuna and Estadão Blue Studio. 

Why the New 5,400 sq ft Model Is Generating So Much Interest

This new format marks a turning point because, for the first time, the Crystal Lagoons® proprietary technology is being offered in a size that competes directly with commercial swimming pools. The concept is aimed at real estate developers and hospitality operators looking for a more distinctive amenity, one that delivers a real beach experience, but within a more compact footprint and with a more cost-efficient structure.

More Than Just a Pool: A New Commercial Value Proposition for Developers

The core message is clear: traditional swimming pools are no longer enough for projects that need to stand out. Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models are not positioned as a simple pool upgrade;  it’s a new category of amenity capable of transforming a project into a destination, adding turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a “beach lifestyle” experience that maximizes the commercial potential of every square foot. 

This point is especially relevant for real estate developers. Crystal Lagoons® technology serves as an anchor amenity, that is, an infrastructure capable of increasing profitability, added value, and differentiation across wide range of development types, from residential communities and hotels to multifamily and urban entertainment projects.

Benefits That Make Headlines

Key advantages of Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons® models include:

• Up to 4 times lower construction cost than a swimming pool of the same size.
• Up to one-third of the maintenance cost compared to traditional swimming pools.
• Construction in around 3 months, versus 6 months or more for a conventional swimming pool.
• No machine room required, reducing complexity and infrastructure costs. 
• Equipment replacement costs that are practically insignificant.

Small in size, but big in commercial impact.

One of the most relevant aspects is that the new model does not sacrifice impact for scale. Although it occupies only 5,400 sq ft, it retains the attributes that have made Crystal Lagoons recognizable: immediate visual appeal, a beach-like experience, social life around the water, and uses that go beyond simply swimming. 

The proposal includes activities and components that a conventional swimming pool cannot match with the same narrative or commercial power:

• Beach life
• Water sports
• Wet bars
• Pedestrian walkways
• Weddings and events
• Lagoon Lounge, with an “L”-shaped edge and submerged seating

For the real estate market, this means an amenity that not only enhances the property’s appeal but also helps increase property value, accelerate sales velocity, and improve hotel occupancy rates. These arguments are among the key advantages of Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models for boutique hotels, mid-rise residential developments, mixed-use projects, and communities that previously did not have the space or budget for a larger-scale lagoon. 

Sustainability and efficiency: another reason behind media interest

The coverage also finds a powerful angle in the model’s operational efficiency as a key selling point. The sustainable technology of Crystal Lagoons uses up to 100 times less filtration energy than a traditional swimming pool, 33 times less water than a golf course, and 40% of the water required by a park of the same size. In addition, the multinational water innovation company has more than 1,000 projects in different stages across more than 60 countries, reinforcing the global scale of its value proposition.

At a time when developers and hotel operators must justify investments not only for their appeal, but also for their ESG performance and long-term efficiency, this combination of experience, sustainability, and return on investment helps explain why the new 5,400 sq ft model has captured so much editorial attention.

What Does This Launch Means for the Real Estate and Hospitality Industries?

The major innovation behind this model is that it democratizes access to an amenity historically associated with larger-scale projects. By bringing Crystal Lagoons® technology into a format that competes with commercial swimming pools, the innovation-driven multinational is expanding its potential market to include boutique, multifamily, mid-rise, hospitality, and mixed-use developments that previously could not capture the value of a crystalline lagoon. 

That changes the conversation for developers:

Strategic Implications of the New Model

• More projects can incorporate an iconic amenity without requiring large land areas.
• Standardization accelerates time to market.
• The beach experience becomes available in urban and compact formats.
• Returns are no longer driven solely by aesthetic appeal but are also supported by concrete commercial metrics such as price, sales velocity, and occupancy.

A Market-Validated Investment

The strong media interest in the new 5,400 sq ft Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ model confirms that the market is closely watching innovations capable of combining differentiation, efficiency, and return on investment. More than just a product announcement, this launch establishes a strategic vision for the industry: the new frontier of amenities is not about building “better swimming pools,” but about creating destination experiences at a fraction of the cost and in far more versatile formats.

For real estate and hospitality developers, the message is clear: when an amenity can generate media conversation, perceived value, and measurable commercial advantages at the same time, it stops being an extra and becomes a true business tool.

Associated Press