Crystal Lagoons Closes Historic Public Access Lagoons Contract: 18 Amenities in Central America

Crystal Lagoons® public access lagoons, PAL, projects have been growing in strength since 2017. They now account for 80% of the company’s activity, surpassing private real estate initiatives.

According to information from the Chilean newspaper, El Mercurio, the company founded by biochemist, Fernando Fischmann, has closed a major contract for PAL developments. By partnering with important Central American investment companies, it has announced the construction of 18 projects in eight countries throughout the region.

It is a large-scale operation within the entertainment industry, which projects annual sales of approximately US $360 million once all PALs are operational. The initiative will span eight countries: El Salvador, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua, Dominican Republic, Belize, Guatemala and Costa Rica. The latter two nations will account for seven projects. The construction of the lagoons, to which the general public will have access via ticketed entry, will begin in the coming months in the capitals and most populated cities of those countries. It is estimated that the attendance to these complexes will exceed 18 million people annually. The development of these PALs will be carried out by Blue Water Ventures, a company specifically created for that purpose.

“They provide capital and development, and Crystal Lagoons the know-how, technology and patented concept,” says Cristián Lehuedé, Executive Director of Crystal Lagoons. Lehuedé admits that this is the company’s largest PAL development contract, although he specified “we have several others in the pipeline for even larger ones, which we hope to make public by the end of the year.” Due to confidentiality agreements, Crystal Lagoons did not reveal the identity of the partners in these projects, although Lehuedé hints that among them are some of the families pertaining to Central America’s top 10 richest families, according to Forbes. Each development considers a total investment of US $10 million, of which US $2.5 million correspond to the lagoon.

What are PALs?
Cristián Lehuedé explains that PALs are highly regarded due to the capacity they have to regenerate underutilized areas, shopping malls, and since they can intensify the use of public parks, unoccupied spaces in the center of racetracks or golf courses, zoos, and racetracks, to name a few. He adds that these lagoons are designed to include other amenities such as restaurants, beach clubs, water sports, retail stores, amphitheaters as well as recreational and cultural activities, such as concerts, shows and cinemas. Blue Water Ventures’ partner, Cristián Roberts, says that PALs will improve the quality of life in Central American cities.

This week Blue Tree opens in Phuket, Thailand’s first PAL. Cristián Lehuedé explains that before the vast majority of the company’s projects were mixed use, that is to say “private residential amenities that have a designated public access area to the lagoon.” Now, however, the tendency is for developments to solely offer public access. In the case of Central America, Crystal Lagoons will receive a percentage of tickets (associated to sales and events) of each development.

Crystal Lagoons is an international innovation company, founded by scientist Fernando Fischmann, which has developed a patent-protected technology that allows the construction and maintenance of unlimited-size clear water lagoons at very low costs.

El Mercurio

Noticias Destacadas

Technology and improving the quality of life through innovation are the concepts that Crystal Lagoons and Israel share. In this country, one of the most innovative in the world, the multinational company founded by scientist Fernando Fischmann has entered with a new agreement to develop Public Access Lagoons™, also known as PAL™ projects, real estate, and mixed-use complexes.

The WOOOW! Entertainment projects, developed with the international real estate holding ECIPSA Group, will be located in different cities throughout the country. The developments will give Israeli city-dwellers access to an idyllic beach life all year round, irrespective of their particular climate, and will include a large crystalline lagoon suitable for swimming and water sports, with white sandy beaches. Also, they could include hotels, residential areas, gastronomic poles, retail, and beach clubs, among others.

Israel and Crystal Lagoons also share a commitment to sustainability and water protection, and the technology of the multinational has won several international awards for its sustainability. A vital feature of these lagoons is that they can use any type of water, including seawater and brackish water from arid areas, with no alternative use. This combination of factors paved the way for the debut of Crystal Lagoons in Israel, a country that has pioneered water protection.

The centerpiece of the PAL™ real estate and mixed-use projects will be a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, and, in the case of those with public access, any person will be able to access through the entrance fee.

“The fact that one of the world’s leading countries in innovation and water sustainability is welcoming Crystal Lagoons is a tremendous endorsement of our technology,” said Francisco Matte, regional director for Crystal Lagoons.

The company’s sustainable technology has been crucial to its success in developed countries. The lagoons only need filling once, operate with a closed-circuit system, can use any type of water (sea, brackish and fresh), and use 40% less water than a green area. Additionally, they use up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a swimming pool and only 2% of the energy of a conventional filtration system, certified by Bureau Veritas.

PAL™ developments have caught the attention of significant market players worldwide, with high-profile contracts signed in: the United States, Japan, Saudi Arabia, India, Korea, Palestine, Pakistan, Europe, and Colombia, among others.

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Crystal Lagoons is making steady progress in Paraguay, a strategic market in Latin America where it has consolidated its success with projects in regions with great development potential and where the crystalline lagoons are the preferred amenity. Recently inaugurated crystalline lagoon in the Costa del Lago project, bringing beach life to Hernandarias, located a few minutes from Ciudad del Este.

Costa del Lago is Crystal Lagoons‘ fourth project in association with Raíces Real Estate, in addition to the Aqua Village (San Bernardino) and Blue Lagoon (Pedro Juan Caballero) developments, and a fourth complex, Aqua Terra (Luque), which will open its doors in the coming months.

Costa del Lago stands out for its sheer size, which expands over 740 acres, and its huge 8,6 -acre turquoise crystalline lagoon developed with Crystal Lagoons® sustainable technology. “The amenity invites you to connect with nature and create moments of relaxation,” the Paraguayan press notes.

The various neighborhoods offer single-family lots, houses, apartments, and enjoyment of its inhabitants, along with a clubhouse with all the amenities to celebrate special occasions and an environment of indescribable natural beauty. The complex also has sports areas and a marina with access to Lake Itaipu exclusively for water activities with motor equipment.

Crystal Lagoons® technology is changing the lives of millions of Paraguayans by bringing a piece of the ocean to the cities and creating urban beach life, just as 200 years ago, an architect in England brought a piece of the forest to the city of London and urban parks were created.

Última Hora

Crystal Lagoons enters the largest country in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, with a new mega deal to develop real estate, hospitality, and Public Access Lagoons™, also called PAL™, projects. The development plan consists of several luxury complexes located in coastal and inland cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah, Dammam, Medina, and Khobar.

The multinational innovation company, founded by scientist Fernando Fischmann, has partnered with A’amal Group, a major holding company interested in investment, hospitality, real estate & energy development across the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. The company’s Founder & CEO, Yassin Al Suroor, is also the Founder & CEO of DANA Investment, which specializes in the digital economy. He is a board member of several regional and international companies and global nonprofit organizations.

With the new partnership with A’amal Group, Crystal Lagoons, has consolidated its presence in the Middle East, where it already has ongoing projects in the UAE, Egypt, Israel, Palestine, and Oman. The world’s two largest crystalline lagoons are located in the Middle East: District One in Dubai (30 hectares) and Citystars Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt (12.8 hectares).

“I am very pleased to announce this strategic alliance between A’amal Group and Crystal Lagoons and the potential that it holds for Saudi Arabia. We believe this partnership follows our vision for the future and are confident that working in synergy will lead to developing unique destinations throughout the country.” Said Yassin Al Suroor, President & CEO of A’amal Group

At the center of these PAL™ developments are large crystalline lagoons suitable for swimming and water sports, surrounded by white sandy beaches open to the public for a fee. The complexes also have commercial areas, restaurants, weddings, hotels, concert venues, terraces, amphitheaters, etc.

“Closing a strategic partnership like this for 10 PAL™ projects in Saudi Arabia is a milestone that validates our uniqueness and adds value as a brand. It also shows that the Crystal Lagoons® concept and technology can bring idyllic beaches anywhere in the world, even to the middle of the desert, and create unique tourism opportunities,” said Alastair Sinclair, Regional Director of Crystal Lagoons.

Crystal Lagoons experienced record global expansion in 2022 with its PAL™ projects. The company entered over 15 new markets and closed mega business deals in countries including Japan, Australia, India, Israel, and Palestine.

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