Bringing the beach to Solano County, with a beautiful beach-like lagoon that uses 25 times less water than an average 18-hole golf course

California is known for being home to some of the most popular and iconic beaches in the country. But we continuously hear from Solano families that they have to trek long distances and sit in traffic jams just to get to the coastal beaches where their kids can cool off and have some fun. Family trips to the beach should be idyllic, relaxing, and fun, not wasted on the road in bumper-to-bumper traffic. 

For many years, there was little anyone could do about this – until Crystal Lagoons® invented and patented a new technology to build beautiful, beach-like crystalline lagoons with sand and turquoise water while using 25 times less water than an average 18-hole golf course in Solano County. 

Today, we could not be more excited to announce that California Forever has signed an agreement with Crystal Lagoons to make Solano County the home of the second such lagoon in California. 

The new Solano Lagoon will be built in the great park in the middle of the new community in East Solano, surrounded by restaurants, cafes, and entertainment. Importantly, while Crystal Lagoons amenities have sometimes been built to be only accessible to residents of the host community, the Solano Lagoon will be a Public Access Lagoons® project, meaning that it will be open to everyone from Solano County. 

We believe that the Solano Lagoon will be an amazing addition to summers in Solano County. Crystal Lagoons technology is known for creating breathtaking, accessible, and sustainable man-made lagoons that offer a beach-like experience wherever they are built. This lagoon is meant for families to spend summer days, gather for birthday parties, participate in water sports, for kids to splash around during the summer (without fear of sharks!), and for everyone to relax in the sun. Visitors will be able to swim in the dedicated swim areas and have access to kayaks and paddleboards – in addition to several other fun-filled water sports activities.

In 2022, Disney brought the first Crystal Lagoons amenity to California, where it is now under construction as the anchor feature for Disney’s new community in Cotino, in southern California. 

“Crystal Lagoons is proud to be part of this transformative development that will generate good-paying jobs, affordable homes, sustainable energy, and new entertainment options for Solano County. Our Public Access Lagoons® projects in urban settings are highly valued for bringing a piece of the ocean right to people’s doorsteps. They offer unparalleled entertainment and quality of life while contributing to sustainability, which has earned us recognition all over the country” said Benjamín Fischmann, Regional Director of Crystal Lagoons.

Here are some photos of real-life lagoons in various locations. 

Existing Lagoon in Solanas, Punta Ballena, Uruguay
Existing lagoon in Southshore Bay, Wimauma, Florida
Existing lagoon in Windsong Ranch, Prosper, Texas

Forming a community working group to inform design and community needs

As with the Solano Sports Complex, we’re forming a community working group to help us solicit input and inform the design of the Solano Lagoon. Among other things, we want the lagoon to feel distinctly Northern Californian while preserving the fun beach vibe and incorporating the best of Solano County. We look forward to collaborating with our working group on that and on making sure the lagoon becomes a beloved part of Solano County and home to so many happy memories of amazing days with our loved ones. The early members of the working group include:

  • Sean Kazemi, father, principal partner at Kaz & Associates Stormwater & Environmental Specialists, and resident of Vacaville 

  • Kim Wright, mother and resident of Dixon 

  • John Wilkerson, father, realtor, and resident of Vacaville 

“As a father and environmental specialist, I recognize the significance of sustainable development, and the new lagoon in Solano County is a prime example,” said Sean Kazemi, principal partner at Kaz & Associates and resident of Vacaville. “This lagoon uses cutting-edge technology to minimize water waste, which is vital in our climate. It’s not just an incredible amenity for our families to enjoy, it’s also a responsible choice for our environment, making it a win-win for all residents.”

“I’ve been living in Solano County with my family for years, and I’m thrilled about the prospect of a new Solano Lagoon right here—it’s like bringing the beach to our doorstep,” said Kim Wright, a mother living in Dixon. “This means we can enjoy beach days without the long drive, making it so much easier to spend quality time together. It’s a fantastic way to build lasting memories and strengthen our community.”

“As a local realtor and father, I’m excited about the introduction of the Solano lagoon here in Solano County,” commented John Wilkerson. “Anyone who knows my family, knows we love the beach and water activities. I can’t wait to watch my kids play at the lagoon. I love that this helps the majority of Solano residents – who don’t own a pool – to have access to a beautiful lagoon nearby. It will create a sustainable, fun space for families to enjoy. I can’t wait to have breakfast at home and then be on the beach 30 minutes later.”

We will be adding more members to the group after consulting with community leaders, elected officials, and residents on who would best represent their respective communities. The working group will be facilitated by our landscape designers CMG, who are designing the parks and open spaces for the East Solano Plan, and who have previously designed iconic spaces such as the San Francisco-based redevelopments of Treasure Island, Hunters Point, and Willie “Woo Woo” Wong Playground.

Later this summer, we will also take the working group on a tour of some of the existing Crystal Lagoons amenities that have already been built elsewhere. If you’re interested in joining the Solano Lagoon working group or have ideas you would like to share, please send an email to lagoon@EastSolanoPlan.com. 

Supporting water efficiency and environmental sustainability by using 25 times less water than an 18-hole golf course

One of the most amazing design features of the Crystal Lagoons system is its sustainability and environmental performance, including using a special molecular film technology that can reduce water evaporation by up to 50%.

The lagoon shown in our rendering, which is about 7 acres and enough to accommodate thousands of people, would use about 20 acre-feet of water per year. That’s 25 times less than an average 18-hole golf course in Solano County, which uses about 493 acre-feet of water per year. Please see FAQ below for details.

The 20 acre-feet per year used by the Crystal Lagoons amenity is also only a small fraction — about 0.15% — of the 13,700 acre-feet of water that we have already secured for use by the East Solano Plan, and an even tinier fraction compared to the water supply at full build out. The lagoon can also use any type of water—salt, fresh, or brackish. The water will be part of the overall water needs of the East Solano Plan and, therefore, subject to the Water Guarantee in the East Solano Homes, Jobs, and Clean Energy Initiative. Learn more about our water supply plan and the Water Guarantee here. 

The lagoons also require up to 100 times fewer chemicals than traditional swimming pools or drinking water treatment systems. 

Finally, we are currently exploring innovative ways to use excess heat from cooling operations in the new community’s district thermal systems to heat the water and extend the lagoon’s use during the shoulder season. By reducing the need for Solano residents to travel far for coastal recreation, we also reduce the carbon footprint.

Contact us and discover how Crystal Lagoons can transform your city.

Outstanding news

  • While the world debates what artificial intelligence can create on a screen, Crystal Lagoons has spent more than two decades building real experiences: crystalline lagoons with turquoise waters you can touch, swim in, and live beside.

At a time when artificial intelligence is astonishing the world with images of futuristic cities, impossible beaches, and perfect landscapes, Crystal Lagoons reminds us of something essential: some innovations are not generated, not simulated, and not confined to a screen. They are built.

The crystalline lagoons powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology are real. They feature turquoise waters you can touch, beaches you can stroll along, spaces you can live in, and experiences that transform the way people inhabit communities, resorts, urban developments, and hospitality projects.

While the world debates what artificial intelligence can create, Crystal Lagoons has spent more than two decades transforming cities and bringing beach life to communities around the world.

Not generated. Not simulated. Built.

The phrase sums up a key difference for the real estate industry: Crystal Lagoons® technology does not create a visual promise; it creates a real asset.

For real estate developers, this changes the equation. A computer-generated image can capture attention; a crystalline lagoon can modify a project’s perceived value, strengthen its positioning, accelerate its differentiation, and turn an amenity into a true commercial driver.

In increasingly competitive markets, where many projects offer similar amenities, crystalline lagoons allow projects to offer a value proposition that is difficult to replicate: living beside turquoise waters and white-sand beaches, even far from the sea.

The innovation that brought the beach lifestyle anywhere

For years, access to a beach experience was determined by geography. Being close to the sea, a natural lake, or a tourist destination was a scarce and highly valued advantage. Crystal Lagoons changed that logic.

Thanks to its sustainable and patented technology, it is now possible to develop large-scale crystalline lagoons in real estate, tourism, urban, and public-access projects, creating iconic destinations in locations where incorporating a beach lifestyle experience once seemed impossible.

This has opened new opportunities for:

  • Residential communities and master-planned communities.
  • Multifamily projects and urban developments.
  • Hotels, resorts, and hospitality projects.
  • Mixed-use developments.
  • Public Access Lagoons® projects, also known as PAL® projects.
  • Projects focused on investment, short-term rentals, and second homes.

The result is a new category of amenity: an experiential infrastructure that not only enhances the project aesthetically but also redefines its identity.

More than just an amenity: a driver of real estate value

In real estate, amenities are no longer secondary features. Today, they are a central part of the decision to buy, rent, or invest. Consumers are looking for memorable experiences, safe spaces, connection with nature, wellness, and differentiation.

In this context, a crystalline lagoon works as a value anchor.

Benefits for real estate developers

Crystal Lagoons® technology provides projects with concrete advantages:

  • Immediate differentiation: turquoise waters and white-sand beaches create an iconic and recognizable image.
  • Greater commercial appeal: the project sells more than square footage; it sells a lifestyle.
  • Premium positioning: a crystalline lagoon elevates the development’s perceived value.
  • Community experience: spaces are created for gathering, recreation, sports, and social life. 
  • Versatility of use: lagoons can be integrated into different business models, from real estate to hospitality and public access. 
  • Greater competitiveness: in saturated markets, a disruptive amenity helps capture attention and preference.

The difference is clear: a traditional swimming pool can be a complement; a crystalline lagoon can become the heart of the project.

The difference between imagining and building

Artificial intelligence can generate astonishing images of lagoons, resorts, and ideal cities. But Crystal Lagoons builds those lagoons in the real world. That difference is fundamental.

A render can represent an aspiration. A crystalline lagoon generates use, dwell time, community, value, and memorability. It is an innovation that does not end at the design stage, but becomes an operational asset capable of transforming people’s daily lives and the commercial performance of developments.

That is why Crystal Lagoons® technology does not compete with imagination: it turns it into infrastructure.

A global technology with proven impact

Crystal Lagoons is a multinational innovation company that has expanded its technology worldwide, with a presence in 60 countries and more than 1,000 projects in different stages of development and negotiation. Its technology has been applied across residential communities, resorts, hotels, tourism projects, urban developments, and public-access models.

This growth confirms a clear trend: the beach lifestyle no longer depends exclusively on geographic location. Today, it can be strategically integrated into real estate projects of different scales, enhancing their appeal and creating new business opportunities.

For the industry, this represents a profound change. Turquoise water is no longer just a landscape feature; it becomes a tool for development, differentiation, and profitability.

The future of real estate is not only envisioned: it is built

In an era shaped by artificial intelligence, real innovation retains irreplaceable value because its results can be touched, experienced, enjoyed, and measured.

Crystal Lagoons has proven that a seemingly impossible idea, such as bringing beach life anywhere in the world, can be transformed into a concrete technological solution for real estate developers and hospitality projects.

Crystalline lagoons are not computer-generated images. They are not a simulation. They are not a digital promise.

Crystalline lagoons offer real turquoise waters. They offer a real beach lifestyle. They are powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology.

And for real estate developers looking to differentiate themselves, increase value, and create memorable projects, they represent far more than an amenity: they represent a built competitive advantage.

Original content.

  • The patented method developed by the multinational water innovation company reuses waste heat from data centers and other technological infrastructure to sustainably heat crystalline lagoons, transforming an energy byproduct into real estate value.

In a world driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and digitalization, data centers have become essential infrastructure. However, they also face a growing challenge: the waste heat generated by their servers and technological equipment.

Crystal Lagoons® found an innovative answer to this problem. Through its patented method, Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ reuses waste heat from data centers, crypto mining facilities, and other technological infrastructure to sustainably heat crystalline lagoons.

The proposal turns an energy byproduct into a source of value for real estate, tourism, and hospitality projects. It is not just about heating water: it is about transforming an operational challenge into a competitive advantage for the real estate sector.

The challenge: waste heat and real estate differentiation

Data centers operate continuously and generate large amounts of heat. Traditionally, that heat must be dissipated through cooling systems, often involving high energy consumption.

At the same time, real estate developers face another challenge: creating more attractive, sustainable, and differentiated projects, especially in markets where traditional amenities no longer generate enough perceived value.

Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ connects both worlds: it harnesses waste heat and turns it into a year-round beach lifestyle experience.

The patented method of Crystal Lagoons®

Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ technology is based on a patented closed-loop system that captures waste heat produced by technological facilities and transfers it to the lagoon, using the water as a thermal dissipator.

How does it work?

  1. Waste heat capture

Servers and technological equipment generate heat during operation. Instead of wasting it, the system recovers it as a useful thermal source.

  1. Closed-loop heat transfer

Through the patented method of Crystal Lagoons®, that heat is efficiently transferred to the lagoon system.

  1. Creation of heated beach areas
    Heated water enables the development of recreational areas with comfortable temperatures, extending the season of use and transforming the lagoon into an active year-round destination.

Why it is a sustainable solution

The sustainability of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ is based on a simple principle: harnessing existing energy.

Instead of generating heat from scratch, the technology reuses waste heat from infrastructure that operates continuously. This helps reduce the need for additional energy to heat large bodies of water while also providing an efficient alternative for dissipating heat.

Key sustainable benefits

  • Waste heat reuse: transforms an energy byproduct into a source of value.
  • Reduced need for additional energy: lowers dependence on traditional heating systems.
  • Operational efficiency: turns the lagoon into a large-scale heat dissipator.
  • Contribution to ESG criteria: enables innovation, efficiency, and sustainability to be integrated into the project.
  • Year-round use: improves the profitability of amenities that could previously depend on seasonality.

Benefits for real estate developers

Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ not only addresses an environmental challenge. It also opens up new commercial opportunities for real estate and hospitality projects.

1. Extends the season of use

A heated lagoon allows residents, guests, or visitors to enjoy a beach experience even during colder months, increasing the amenity’s utility.

2. Strengthens the project’s positioning

Offering a heated crystalline lagoon with sustainable technology enables developers to build a powerful commercial narrative: year-round beach lifestyle, real innovation, and environmental commitment.

3. Creates a destination

The Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ model can become the heart of the project: a gathering point for recreation, wellness, and social life.

4. Increases perceived value

Today’s consumers seek memorable experiences. A heated lagoon sells more than square meters; it sells a way to live, relax, invest, or vacation.

5. Connects real estate, technology, and sustainability

Integration with data centers or other technological infrastructure makes it possible to create more efficient urban ecosystems, where waste heat ceases to be a problem and becomes a resource.

Applications in real estate and hospitality

The versatility of Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ allows this technology to be applied across different types of projects:

  • Master-planned communities.
  • Multifamily developments.
  • Hotels and resorts.
  • Mixed-use projects.
  • Public Access Lagoons® developments, also known as PAL® projects.
  • Tourism projects in cold climates.
  • Developments located near data centers or technology hubs.

The future of sustainable amenities

The real estate industry is entering a new stage. Amenities can no longer be merely decorative: they must provide utility, differentiation, commercial value, and environmental coherence.

Eco-Heated Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ responds to that demand. Its patented method demonstrates that waste heat can be transformed from an energy loss into a tangible, profitable, and sustainable experience.

For real estate developers, the opportunity is clear: to create more attractive projects, extend their operation year-round, and offer a value proposition that connects technological innovation with a beach lifestyle.

Waste heat no longer has to be wasted. With Crystal Lagoons®, it can become turquoise waters, heated beaches, and a new generation of sustainable amenities.

Original content.

  • LeFrak and Turnberry placed a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology at the heart of the Solé Mia development. The project has achieved occupancy rates of up to 99%, earned international awards and commands up to US$1,800 more in monthly rent per unit.

In North Miami, one development fully leased its first tower in just three months. Today, it commands up to US$1,800 more in monthly rent per unit than neighboring properties. And it was built, quite literally, on a former landfill. Its name is Solé Mia, and its story is a must-read case study for any developer looking to stand out in an increasingly competitive market.

The key to it all is a 6.61-acre lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, the first of its kind in South Florida.

A Project That Lives Up to Its Creators

Solé Mia is no ordinary development. It is backed by LeFrak and Turnberry, two of the most respected names in U.S. real estate, bringing a rare level of experience and credibility to the project.

LeFrak has more than a century of experience and a portfolio of over 400 buildings. Turnberry has spent more than 50 years creating residential, commercial and hospitality destinations, and manages a real estate portfolio valued at US$10 billion.

The project’s numbers speak for themselves:

  • 184-acre master plan in North Miami
  • Estimated investment of US$4 billion
  • Up to 12 planned residential towers, with more than 6,000 approved units
  • Four completed towers totaling 1,473 units, with a fifth under construction
  • Schools, a medical center, retail, offices and resort-style amenities integrated into the master plan

It is, quite simply, a city within a city. And at the center of it all is a lagoon created by the multinational water innovation company.

The Numbers Speak for Themselves: Unprecedented Returns

For developers, good ideas are measured by their return on investment. The crystalline lagoon became the centerpiece of the project, and the financial results prove the strategy worked:

  • Near-full occupancy: The project maintains occupancy rates of between 96% and 99%. Units overlooking the lagoon are in the highest demand.
  • Rental premium: Solé Mia commands rents 15% to 25% above market rates for comparable properties in North Miami.
  • Additional income per unit: That premium translates into monthly rents of up to US$1,800 more per unit.
  • Direct comparison: While a two-bedroom apartment in North Miami typically rents for between US$2,400 and US$2,800 per month, comparable units at Solé Mia command between US$3,300 and US$4,200.

The Quote That Says It All

Richard LeFrak, who leads one of the largest real estate companies in the United States, does not make a habit of speaking in superlatives. That gives even more weight to what he said about the leasing of the project’s first tower:

“The Shoreline at Solé Mia is the fastest and most successful rental lease-up in the company’s 100-year history of real estate development.”

When the Media Takes Notice

The Miami Herald, one of Florida’s most influential news outlets, described Solé Mia as a “neighborhood game changer.” It was more than a headline: within three months of its January 2019 launch, the project’s first tower was 100% leased.

Financial Times and Bloomberg have also covered the project, citing it as a benchmark for innovation in large-scale, mixed-use communities. Residential developments do not often capture the attention of global financial media, but Solé Mia did, thanks to one clear differentiator: its crystalline lagoon.

A Development Designed for Every Type of Resident

Another strength of Solé Mia is its ability to attract very different segments through a shared value proposition:

  • Families looking for larger units, club-style amenities and a safe environment
  • Young professionals and couples drawn to studios and one-bedroom apartments designed for an active lifestyle
  • Students and short-term renters who prioritize connectivity and social life
  • Seniors who value tranquility, wellness and access to healthcare

That versatility is precisely what makes the lagoon a unifying amenity across every resident segment. Everyone uses it. Everyone values it. And that translates into sustained occupancy across the entire product mix.

From Contaminated Land to an Urban Icon

Perhaps the most remarkable part of Solé Mia’s story is where it began. The site was a former landfill, a contaminated site that was virtually unusable under a conventional development model.

Through an Opportunity Zone strategy and an extensive environmental remediation process, LeFrak and Turnberry transformed the property into one of Miami’s most sought-after developments.

Crystal Lagoons® technology made it possible to build a crystalline lagoon for watersports, white-sand beaches and an active waterfront community on that very site.

The development continues to grow. It recently added the first floating pickleball court installed on a residential lagoon in the United States, another example of how the lagoon remains a platform for creating new amenities.

An Award-Winning and Exclusive Ecosystem

Solé Mia is more than a commercial success. It has become a benchmark for design and sustainability, earning some of the industry’s most important honors for its transformation of this urban site.

The project received the 2020 World Design Award for Best Landscape Design Built, presented by The Architecture Community. That same year, it won the Golden Novum Design Award for Urban Planning and Landscape Design.

The model works because it intelligently combines white-sand beaches and watersports with essential services such as a UHealth medical center, schools, coworking spaces and retail areas. It attracts families, young professionals and students—all looking for an urban resort lifestyle.

Solé Mia’s formula is clear. Integrating a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology is not simply a landscaping expense. It is a highly replicable business strategy for urban multifamily markets looking to create real value, stand out from the competition and secure long-term profitability.

Original Content