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Architectural Digest highlights Crystal Lagoons as a trend for 2023

Crystal Lagoons have been widely highlighted by the world’s press for their sustainable features and the value they add to projects. This time it was the world’s leading architectural magazine, Architectural Digest (AD), that highlighted the amenity of Crystal Lagoons as one of the trends of 2023.

Sustainable technology changes the landscape, generating an environment of turquoise waters that can be enjoyed all year round, increasing, like no other amenity, the value of properties and sales prices.

These crystalline lagoons quickly become the meeting point for thousands of people, as they offer new public spaces of value and quality of life, providing social inclusion, recreation and relaxation, especially in cities far from the coast or congested.

AD takes the World Design Award-winning SoLéMia project in North Miami as an example of Crystal Lagoons‘ success. This project is not only raising the neighborhood market value but the luxury amenity standards by housing arguably one of the most unprecedented amenities in a rental community with South Florida’s first man-made lagoon, Laguna Solé, an eye-popping, swimmable Caribbean-blue body of fresh water that spans seven acres, including sandy beach areas and its own little island. The city-within-a-city will eventually be anchored around the impressive engineering feat, bringing waterfront living to a part of Miami that’s not technically on the water. The amenity crown-jewel is the size of 21 Olympic-sized pools and provides the Shoreline residents with sandy beaches and a waterfront location where they can swim, paddleboard, kayak or float on luxury loungers.

“There is tremendous value in adding lagoons to upscale properties,” says Carlos Rosso, a developer behind One Park Tower. “You can create a waterfront community with incredible views in urban areas where that wasn’t previously possible.”

“The artificial lagoons have been a real hit with the U.S. public. People can enjoy the beach experience that PAL™ developments bring to cities, just as they did 200 years ago in England when the first urban parks were created in London, bringing the forest to the city”, said Ivan Manzur, Senior VP of Sales Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

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Madrid Will Have Idyllic Beach Life Thanks to Crystal Lagoons

The project will become the largest urban beach in Europe, fulfilling a long-awaited aspiration for Madrid’s residents. It will be developed under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® projects, accessible to all through ticketed entry.

For a long time, the inhabitants of Madrid, Spain’s capital, have longed to experience beach life within the city. Today, that dream will come true thanks to Crystal Lagoons, as the municipal council of the town of Alovera has approved a project that will enable the development of the largest urban beach in Europe. This will put an end to the wait, allowing Madrid’s residents to enjoy crystalline waters and white sandy beaches.

The project

This is Alovera Beach, a new Public Access Lagoons® development, also known as a PAL® project, located just 30 minutes from Madrid. Its centerpiece will be a 5.2-acre lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, accessible to all through ticketed entry. The body of water will be suitable for swimming and water sports, and will be surrounded by 16,000 m² of white sand beaches. 

Contribution to the Community

The complex will represent an investment of over € 20 million and create more than 140 direct jobs. In addition to the crystalline lagoon, it will feature a range of infrastructure characteristics from the PAL® model. This will include:

  • Sports facilities
  • Water park with slides and children’s pools
  • Water sports school – kayaking, paddleboarding –
  • Dining services
  • Events
  • Beach Club
  • Among other amenities, the project is expected to set a benchmark for aquatic entertainment in central Spain.

The project is an innovative concept that will transform the municipality of Alovera and boost tourism in the Guadalajara area, positioning it on the European map of technology, innovation, and sustainability, while establishing it as a unique reference for outdoor water sports. The complex will be open year-round and is expected to receive around 350,000 visitors annually.

Bringing the Beach to the City

Alovera Beach’s proximity to Madrid and its excellent accessibility will make this entertainment park an attractive option for thousands of people who would otherwise travel hundreds of kilometers to enjoy a beach experience, resulting in a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

Sustainability as a Cornerstone

Like all lagoons developed by the multinational innovation company, Alovera Beach will be no exception and will feature Crystal Lagoons® sustainable technology, which:

  • It uses any type of water: fresh, salt, or brackish water, that has no alternative use
  • It consumes 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size
  • Its filtration system uses only 2% of the energy required by conventional systems
  • It employs up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a swimming pool

The Partnership and Urban Contribution

The complex is being developed by Grupo Rayet in partnership with Crystal Lagoons, becoming a model of urban regeneration that will revolutionize the local landscape with a high social impact.

Construction is scheduled to begin at the end of 2025, with a partial opening of the park expected in the spring of 2027.

Europa Press

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Crystal Lagoons Partners with MintGreen to Harness Heat from Cryptocurrency Mining in Crystalline Lagoons

The alliance will accelerate the evaluation and development of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ projects worldwide, fostering seamless integration and synergy between the technologies of both companies.

Crystal Lagoons and MintGreen, two global leaders in sustainability innovation, have teamed up to advance the assessment and development of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ projects – heated crystalline lagoons powered by eco-friendly, high efficiency solutions.

Agreement Objective

Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), both companies will collaborate on multiple Crystal Lagoons projects worldwide. This partnership aims to create efficient integration between their technologies, enabling crystalline lagoons to be heated while simultaneously cooling high-performance computing systems used for cryptocurrency mining.

Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™

Crystal Lagoons has developed its patented Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology, which enables sustainable cooling through crystalline lagoons while harnessing residual heat from facilities such as data centers to warm the lagoon.

Some key benefits include:

  • Leveraging existing bodies of water for dual use, including cooling cryptocurrency mining equipment.
  • Operating in a closed-circuit system, avoiding water waste.
  • Significantly reducing carbon footprint.
  • Capturing waste heat that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere.
  • Providing low-maintenance, low-cost cooling compared to traditional chillers.

MintGreen’s Digital Boiler™ Technology

MintGreen is the inventor of the Digital Boiler™, a patented technology that recovers and repurposes heat from high-performance computing (e.g., Bitcoin mining, AI processing) to deliver hot water for district energy systems, pools, resorts, and other facilities. This solution uses energy twice: first for computing, then for heating.

Its high-efficiency hot water system:

  • Recovering >97% of computing energy as usable heat.
  • Supplying water temperatures up to 185°F (85°C).
  • Operating on low-carbon electricity.
  • Preventing up to 1,800 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per MW annually compared to natural gas.

This makes it one of the world’s most cost-effective and reliable low-carbon heat sources.

Expected Results

The Crystal Lagoons and MintGreen alliance will deliver transformative benefits, including: 

  • Harnessing thermal energy from Bitcoin mining to heat crystalline lagoons.
  • Repurposing lagoon water for multiple applications.
  • Extending the swimming season into colder months.
  • Showcasing the future of decentralized, sustainable energy infrastructure.

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Highlands Park & Lagoon: The Crystal Lagoons Oasis Redefining Luxury and Real Estate in Paraguay

Located in San Bernardino, the complex has achieved unprecedented commercial success since its launch. The added value brought by the crystalline lagoon to the project allowed it to exceed all expectations.

Paraguay, known for its vibrant culture and lush landscapes, now has a new landmark that is redefining luxury tourism and the real estate market. This is the Highlands Park & Lagoon project, located in San Bernardino, which brings the beach lifestyle to Paraguay with turquoise waters and white sand, thanks to Crystal Lagoons® patented technology.

With its monumental 6.9-acre crystalline lagoon as the centerpiece, this development offers residents and visitors a weekend and vacation retreat just minutes from the capital, Asunción.

San Bernardino: A Luxury Destination

Historically recognized as a tourist hub in the Lake Ypacaraí area, San Bernardino is now also establishing itself as a luxury destination that combines nature, innovation, and sustainability.

Success from the beginning

Since its launch, Highlands Park & Lagoon, developed by Petrohué Real Estate in partnership with Crystal Lagoons, has achieved unprecedented commercial success, progressing at a record pace, with delivery scheduled for January 2026. Thanks to its innovative proposal, strong market acceptance, and the added value provided by the crystalline lagoon, the complex has already sold more than 70% of the lots in its first phase, making it one of the most successful real estate developments in Paraguay.

The Vision and the Outcome

The vision behind Highlands Park & Lagoon was clear: to create an exclusive retreat that combined the serenity of nature with modern luxury. The solution, of course, was to integrate a Crystal Lagoons® amenity, transforming San Bernardino into the epicenter of a new concept of living and recreation.

A New Hub

Through this project, Crystal Lagoons has not only created an unprecedented amenity in Paraguay but also reaffirmed San Bernardino as the epicenter of premium tourism and luxury real estate. The crystalline lagoon at Highlands Park & Lagoon becomes the heart of the development, redefining the concept of real estate and tourism value in the region.

Among the key benefits it brings are:

  • Increased added value for residential and tourism projects in the area.
  • Attraction of national and international investment, driven by a unique amenity in Paraguay.
  • Consolidation of San Bernardino as a destination for recreation, relaxation, and luxury in the country.
  • Enhanced quality of life: Provides access to water activities and leisure spaces, improving both lifestyle and recreational options.
  • Innovation and Modernity: Crystal Lagoons® technology projects an image of modernity and innovation, attracting a market segment that values sophistication and cutting-edge solutions.

Additionally, aspiring to become a mini city on a 222-acre site, the exclusive complex will include in its first stage:

  • 469 residential lots
  • 75 townhouses (duplex units)
  • 3 apartment buildings
  • Sports courts for tennis, paddle, and soccer
  • Sport Bar for social and recreational gatherings
  • Two 1,000 m² Clubhouses facing the lagoon, featuring:
    • A restaurant
    • A fully equipped gym
    • Multipurpose rooms with views of the beach and crystalline lagoon

The complex is also planned to include a commercial area featuring restaurants and shops facing the lagoon, as well as a high-end hotel with a private beach — all designed to offer a unique experience in a natural setting.

A Disruptive Amenity

The presence of a Crystal Lagoons® amenity in Highlands Park & Lagoon transforms the development into a benchmark of innovation and sustainability:

  • Beach life in San Bernardino: A paradisiacal environment surrounded by nature, ideal for water sports and social life.
  • Luxury real estate: Properties featuring a world-class amenity that enhances their value and creates a competitive edge in the market.

Sustainability and Innovation in Paraguay

The expansion of Crystal Lagoons in Paraguay responds to the growing demand for projects that integrate sustainable, innovative, and high-return amenities. Its patented technology offers:

  • Efficient water use: Up to 33 times less water than a golf course.
  • Energy savings: A filtration system that consumes only 2% of the energy required by conventional technologies.
  • Minimal use of additives: Up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool.
  • Water versatility: Ability to operate with fresh, salt, or brackish water.

These advantages position crystalline lagoons as a sustainable and scalable amenity, ideal for growing tourism and real estate projects, and position Highlands Park & Lagoon as a model of eco-friendly real estate development in the Lake Ypacaraí region.

Highlands Park & Lagoon: The New Benchmark in Paraguay

With Highlands Park & Lagoon, Crystal Lagoons strengthens its presence in South America, reaffirming its ability to transform emerging destinations into icons of luxury and sustainability. This project not only drives tourism and real estate in Paraguay but also places San Bernardino on the international map as a premium destination.

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