Crystal Lagoons U.S. Corp.® Sees Strong Sales Performance and Potential

With a number of successes in master-planned community amenity developments under its belt, Miami-based technology company Crystal Lagoons® is pursuing a new business model for amenity development, which consists of master licensing agreements for Public Access Lagoons™. The following is a publication released by Builder Online, a U.S. magazine that recently covered the firm’s success in the U.S. market.

The company’s exclusive partners are set to use Crystal Lagoons technology package to create public amenities across the U.S. anchored by beaches, retail, and other attractions. Between December 2019 and May 2020, the company had signed master licensing agreements for 16 new lagoons in the U.S., as well as many more overseas.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has placed restrictions on the company’s activity and prompted the closure of some amenities at the beginning of the pandemic—including the one at the Epperson community in Wesley Chapel, Fla.—Crystal Lagoons anticipates that its amenities will play important roles in a future economic recovery, particularly as sites for “mini-vacations” in a time when air travel is limited.

“Given that these are long-term projects that will not be completed in less than one-and-a-half years, the business’ dynamism hasn’t been affected by the pandemic,” says Iván Manzur, who is expected to assume the position of vice president of sales at Crystal Lagoons U.S. Corp. “On the contrary, we’ve seen investors moving forward, and these projects have been perceived as having a potential of reactivating the economy.”

BUILDER magazine spoke with Manzur about the company’s future plans and sales performance, as well as its management of the COVID-19 pandemic, opportunities as travel and recreation habits shift, and expectations for business under the “new normal.”

BUILDER: How has your public access lagoon business expanded in the U.S. over the past year? Can you tell me about the status of some of your projects?

Manzur: The United States is one of the main markets for Public Access Lagoons™, also known as PAL™. Although these projects started as real estate, they quickly converted to the PAL business model, as in the case of Epperson, which opened up a section of the lagoon allowing public access. People started going to the beach, and the outcome has been so remarkable that the development has often had to close the doors to control the flow of visitors.

Later, PAL projects emerged, with public access only, which were in association with amusement parks, for example. Since, the growth has spiked producing the first master licenses with renowned multinational companies, such as the signing with Epic to develop 16 projects across the U.S. Our business plan shows a potential projection of 1,000 developments of this type in the U.S. alone.

BUILDER: How do you believe economic reactivation measures will affect Crystal Lagoons?

Manzur: Every reactivation measure promoted by the U.S. is important. In the case of Crystal Lagoons, we can divide ours into two aspects. Regarding real estate projects that are currently in development, the measures will allow, in the short term, to increase the purchase of properties while also allowing people to partially restore the normality they are accustomed to.

In the case of PAL projects to be developed in the medium or long term, these reactivation measures will likely not have a major impact.

BUILDER: According to Crystal Lagoons, the company expects that families will look to have “mini holidays” in lieu of air travel this summer. Can you elaborate on this idea?

Manzur: The pandemic, even if it’s controlled in the future (vaccines, etc.), may change certain social habits, such as avoiding plane trips to distant locations due to risks associated with large groups of people boarding planes, at airports, confinement in planes, coming into contact with people from other countries where infection rates are possibly unpredictable, etc.

Being able to have beach life and recreational activities close to home reduces considerably many of these risks and could become a future trend.

Touristic destinations and public beaches are difficult to control on a sanitary level. On the other hand, on a private beach, such as is the case of PAL, access can be controlled by using tests, regulating its capacity, ensuring distances are respected, etc.

In fact, investors have identified that people will prefer to unwind in areas close to home, which will require infrastructure to be developed. These types of areas within cities will be especially necessary after confinement.

This concept of beach life just steps away from home positively impacts people’s carbon footprint and reduces the impact on biodiversity in natural places.

BUILDER: How have Crystal Lagoons amenities in residential communities fared? How are communities implementing safety measures?

Manzur: Epperson reopened its doors once COVID restrictions were lifted and has received a large number of people. What’s surprising is that, despite the current economic situation, commercial activity has been maintained, confirming the good results that Crystal Lagoons projects have always experienced in the U.S. An example of this are three new projects soon to open in Florida (Southshore Bay, Mirada, and Avenir) and Sierra Vista in Houston.

As for preventive measures, although the amenities and lagoons in the real estate projects were closed for a month, they are reopening and starting to operate normally.

BUILDER: What do you believe the future will hold for Crystal Lagoons?

Manzur: As previously mentioned, Crystal Lagoons is undergoing a structural change, registering the highest sales in its history, and is dynamically closing contracts.

Along with the master licenses previously signed around the world and the above mentioned negotiations, we’ve seen that there is a large market in the main U.S. mall chains, as several need to reinvent themselves and we’re in advanced conversations with them. The fall in their sales caused by e-commerce and an increase in unoccupied spaces has forced them to introduce new functional alternatives and new experiences, such as these lagoons.

Malls see in PAL a new hook or “anchor” to attract public. There is an important market here, and we foresee a great future reconverting these shopping centers.

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.

Latest News

A new Crystal Lagoons project is advancing in Mexico, one of the main Latin American markets for the multinational innovation company. It is Le Parc Cancún, a complex located 7.5 kilometers from the beach in Cancun. The 0.8-hectare crystalline lagoon with white sandy beaches around it will create a third coastline, allowing the area’s climate to be enjoyed all year round.

Sales success

The luxury development, consisting of two 24-story towers with 374 units, registered historic sales records for the region during its launch in September 2023 and its pre-sale period. The first tower sold 77% of its units and generated a capital gain of over 20% in less than one year.

The complex reinvents luxury and wellness in the Mexican Caribbean with its cutting-edge design and unique amenities with Crystal Lagoons® technology, which enables:

  • Swimming
  • Kayaking
  • Paddleboarding
  • Water volleyball 
  • Relaxing boat rides 

Crystalline lagoon as a key element

Daniel Masliah, developer at Inzigna Capital, highlighted the impact of the crystalline lagoon as the project’s most significant and differentiating feature. “It is what makes Le Parc Cancún unique. Even though I develop projects in different locations, this is where I would genuinely love to own an apartment,” he stated.

In addition to the turquoise-water lagoon, the project offers over 35 amenities designed to blend seamlessly with the paradisiacal surroundings. From wellness facilities to high-end entertainment options, these features promise to elevate the quality of life to a new level, redefining luxury and comfort.

“Mexican developers have found that Crystal Lagoons® technology accelerates the sales velocity and increases the value per square meter compared to similar projects in the same areas. On the other hand, these crystalline bodies of water improve people’s quality of life,” explains Francisco Matte, regional director of Crystal Lagoons for Latin America.

Sustainable Technology

These large crystalline bodies of water boost various urban and tourist areas with environmentally friendly lagoons. Crystal Lagoons® technology has received numerous international awards for its sustainability, certified by Bureau Veritas for its low water usage—40% less than a green area of the same size and 33 times less than an 18-hole golf course—and energy—only 2% of the energy needed by conventional pool filtration systems.

L21

A new Public Access Lagoons® project, also known as PAL®, and a hospitality development are advancing in Europe, specifically in Seville. It is a new Central District Lagoon City complex, which Crystal Lagoons is developing in partnership with Forty Management, an award-winning Romanian real estate developer.

The project will feature a stunning 1.49-hectare lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology as its centerpiece, surrounded by white sand beaches. Around it, the development will include:

  • A 200-room luxury hotel
  • Three aparthotel towers
  • An event center
  • International restaurants
  • A Sky Bar
  • A promenade and bespoke services will complement the lagoon, epitomizing the quintessential PAL™ experience.

Thanks to its turquoise-colored body of water, it will be a transformative development spanning 12 hectares that will offer a unique lifestyle destination. This project will revolutionize local tourism in Seville and enhance visitors’ stay in the city.

“The partnership with Forty Management has been very successful, demonstrating the added value of Crystal Lagoons® technology and how this disruptive innovation makes it possible to bring sustainable beach living anywhere in the world,” explains Jean Pierre Juanchich, Global Business Director of Crystal Lagoons.

Contribution to the area

With over 100 million euros in investment and creating more than 600 jobs, this project highlights the growing demand for sustainable and recreational projects worldwide.

Crystal Lagoons and Forty Management Partnership

The complex is part of the master agreement—exclusivity agreement for developing PAL®, real estate, and hybrid projects within a specific territory—that both companies signed to bring beach life through stunning crystalline lagoons to Rome, Milan, Toulouse, two Romanian cities, and Seville.

The complex is part of the master agreement—exclusivity agreement for developing PAL®, real estate, and hybrid projects within a specific territory—that both companies signed to bring beach life through stunning crystalline lagoons to Rome, Milan, Toulouse, two Romanian cities, and Seville.

The two companies also have another mega-contract to develop projects in Romania, the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary. Among the standout developments in this agreement is Lagoon Park Bucharest, a PAL® complex that sold out a week before launch and has been successful since it opened.

The project in Seville is also proof of the success of Crystal Lagoons in the hospitality industry, where numerous global hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Conrad, Hyatt Regency, and AVA Resort, have recognized the transformative value of Crystal Lagoons® technology, incorporating this amenity as a centerpiece in their developments.

The dream of living steps away from a white sandy beach and turquoise waters while remaining minutes from Buenos Aires’ iconic Obelisk has become a reality thanks to the Crystal Lagoons® concept and technology in the award-winning Terralagos project.

This unique development offers a coastal city lifestyle, where residents can enjoy beach life in close contact with nature every day of the year. This idyllic Caribbean-like setting surrounding the 5-hectare navigable crystalline lagoon not only enhances the landscape but also allows residents and visitors to practice various water sports.

Terralagos was the first urban project in Argentina to incorporate the revolutionary Crystal Lagoons® concept and technology, and it has been a success from the beginning. It has sold more than 1,000 lots, achieved record-speed apartment sales, and has a waiting list for the upcoming buildings. 

According to the newspaper La Nación, “Terralagos offers a lagoon with Crystal Lagoons® technology, an impressive body of water spanning over 5 hectares with a brilliant turquoise color, surrounded by sandy beaches and palm trees—the standout feature that all residents of this ‘unique’ private community enjoy.”

The complex also includes 1,280 lots—ranging from 800 to 1,100 square meters—and 450 apartments distributed across low-rise buildings and townhouses, spanning 270 hectares. All properties feature the unique advantage of direct views of the crystalline lagoon, which allows for a wide range of activities and water sports, such as swimming, sailing, yachting, windsurfing, kayaking, diving, canoeing, rowing, and many more.

Beyond the lagoon, Terralagos offer top-tier amenities, including the Kids Club and the Main Clubhouse, which span 1,400 square meters. The complex also features social and sports infrastructure, including tennis courts, soccer fields, a hockey field, a sports center, a sauna, a gym, and a spa area.

Argentina is the main market for Crystal Lagoons in South America, after Chile. With rapid expansion in the country, the multinational innovation company currently has 43 projects in various development and negotiation stages in various cities.

La Nación