Elevating Communities with Crystal Lagoons: A New Blueprint for Real Estate and Recreation

The concept and technology patented by Crystal Lagoons has transformed recreational and real estate landscapes globally by creating sustainable, man-made crystalline lagoons. This innovation has made a substantial impact in the U.S., reshaping the way communities live, work, and play.

Projects featuring Crystal Lagoons® amenities have quickly risen among the nation’s top-selling developments. Communities like Sunterra in Texas, Mirada in Florida, and Windsong Ranch in Texas have become highly sought-after, offering resort-style living through expansive, swimmable lagoons. These developments meet the growing demand for recreational spaces, especially in urban areas, where residents increasingly seek the lifestyle advantages of waterfront living.

What is Crystal Lagoons?

Crystal Lagoons developed a technology that allows the creation and maintenance of large bodies of crystal-clear water at a low cost. These lagoons use significantly less water than a park of the same size and consume 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool. Their innovative technology also allows them to operate with minimal energy, using an ultrasonic filtration system that ensures the water remains pristine with low environmental impact.

Growth and Expansion in the U.S. Market

Crystal Lagoons entered the U.S. market and has experienced rapid growth. The appeal of these lagoons lies in their ability to create a unique amenity that enhances property value, attracts visitors, and boosts economic development in the surrounding area. Today, Crystal Lagoons has multiple projects in different stages of development across the United States, making it a key player in the country’s real estate and tourism sectors.

Key Success Stories in the U.S.

  • Epperson Lagoon – Wesley Chapel, Florida: 

The Epperson Lagoon in Wesley Chapel, Florida, was the first Crystal Lagoons project to open in the U.S. This 7.36-acre lagoon features clear turquoise waters, sandy beaches, water slides, kayaking, paddleboarding, and an inflatable obstacle course. Since its opening in 2018, the Epperson Lagoon has become a central attraction in the Tampa Bay area, boosting property sales and attracting significant tourism. The surrounding residential development has set a new standard for community living, with the lagoon serving as the centerpiece.

  • Lago Mar – Texas City, Texas:

 Lago Mar, in Texas, is an 11.49-acre lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology. It features white sand beaches, a swim-up bar, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and a floating obstacle course. It has quickly become a popular destination for locals and tourists, providing a unique waterfront experience in an area that lacks natural bodies of water. 

  • Sunterra – Katy, Texas:

Sunterra is the #1 selling master-planned community in Texas based on 2023 rankings from RCLCO Real Estate Consulting. To top it off, RCLCO released its list of the nation’s 50 top-selling master-planned communities, with Sunterra ranking No. 3 and builders reporting 1,293 sales, a 63% year-over-year increase. The 1,039-acre master-planned community is located in the heart of Katy and invites residents to shop, dine, and play as a launch pad for family adventures.

The centerpiece of this community is the turquoise lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, where white-sand beaches and turquoise waters set the stage for daily leisure. Sunterra’s crystalline lagoon anchors an impressive amenity village, providing endless opportunities for kayaking, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, or simply unwinding on the sandy shores.

  • Evermore Orlando Resort – Orlando, Florida:

Evermore Orlando Resort redefines luxury vacationing with development near Disney World, featuring diverse accommodations like refined hotel suites, eleven-bedroom vacation homes, and a Conrad hotel. The highlight is the 7.78-acre crystalline lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, surrounded by two beaches and a clubhouse. Guests enjoy various activities, from watersports and outdoor movies to Bayside Picnics and dining at 12 unique venues. Golfers can also access the Grand Cypress Golf Course, a Jack Nicklaus signature design, within the resort.

  • Mirada – San Antonio, Florida:

Mirada, located in San Antonio, Florida, is home to a massive 14.9-acre Crystal Lagoon, the largest man-made lagoon in the U.S. The lagoon, surrounded by white sand beaches, offers residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy various water sports, including kayaking, paddleboarding, and swimming. Since its opening, the Mirada project has transformed the local real estate market, creating a unique lifestyle experience that blends the best of Florida’s natural beauty with world-class amenities.

Benefits of Crystal Lagoons for U.S. Communities

Crystal Lagoons’ projects offer multiple benefits for communities, developers, and local economies:

  • Enhanced Real Estate Value: Properties near Crystal Lagoons tend to see an increase in value and sales speed due to their unique recreational appeal. They are a differentiator in a competitive market, making them highly attractive to developers.
  • Increased Tourism and Economic Activity: Crystal Lagoons serve as tourist magnets, drawing visitors from surrounding areas and internationally. This influx boosts local businesses, from hotels and restaurants to retail outlets, thereby driving economic development.
  • Sustainable Technology: Crystal Lagoons® technology is designed to be environmentally friendly, using fewer chemicals and energy than conventional swimming pools. They also provide a water-efficient alternative to traditional recreational spaces, supporting sustainability goals.
  • Community Development: These lagoons offer a wide range of activities, such as swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and beach sports, promoting active and healthy lifestyles. They also become community hubs, bringing people together and fostering social connections.

Future Expansion

The success of Crystal Lagoons projects is evident in their rapid expansion across the U.S., where they continue to redefine the concept of luxury living. By introducing the innovative Public Access Lagoons®, also known as PAL® developments, the company has tapped into new markets, drawing attention to the possibilities of creating vibrant social hubs in residential and commercial settings. This unique concept has proven to increase property value, boost sales velocity, and enhance the overall appeal of developments, particularly in areas far from the coast.

PAL® projects allow access to the general public through ticket sales and have sparked interest among investors and developers. They are also designed to be year-round attractions, creating a steady revenue stream and further solidifying Crystal Lagoons presence in the U.S. market.

With almost 20 years of expertise and a strong foothold in the U.S., Crystal Lagoons is poised for continued growth and influence. Its sustainable lagoon technology is shaping the future of Real Estate and recreation sectors by introducing a unique, sustainable, and highly desirable amenity. Through innovative technology and a focus on both private and public projects, Crystal Lagoons has successfully created a new standard for living and leisure, making its lagoons a key feature in modern community planning and development.

 

 

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Latest News

Crystal Lagoons is revolutionizing the global shopping mall industry with its disruptive technology, which integrates leisure, retail, and idyllic beach life in one place. Its new project in ColombiaKristal Mall, is the largest shopping mall in the Colombian Caribbean and the country’s first Shopping Resort. It blends entertainment and shopping around a monumental 5.3-acre crystalline lagoon with turquoise waters as its centerpiece. This innovative project addresses the global challenge of reinventing malls, transforming them into multifunctional destinations that attract a new generation of visitors.

Located in Cartagena de Indias, Kristal Mall spans 296 hectares and features a leasable area of 110,000 m². Powered by Crystal Lagoons in association with AED and Arquitectura & Concreto, this cutting-edge complex will offer a wide range of amenities, including high-end stores, restaurants, terraces, a cinema, an amusement park, a 150-room hotel, offices, apartments, healthcare centers, and an event venue designed for weddings, concerts, and large-scale shows.

Its main attraction will be the crystalline lagoon, developed under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments. The lagoon will bring the tropical beach lifestyle to this tourist city, which historically lacked high-quality beaches. Visitors can enjoy various aquatic activities, such as swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and more, redefining the region’s commercial and entertainment landscape.

PAL® developments, accessible to the public through a ticketed entry, stand out for their versatility. They are ideal venues for mass events such as concerts, fairs, exhibitions, and weddings. Their unparalleled scenic beauty is highlighted by monumental crystalline turquoise water lagoons, which light up at night to create a magical atmosphere. Infrastructure such as theaters, terraces, domes, and climate-controlled esplanades ensures year-round events, regardless of the season.

Kristal Mall is part of one of Latin America’s most extensive agreements between Crystal Lagoons and AED, a leading Colombian real estate company. This strategic agreement includes 11 projects in key regions such as the Eje Cafetero, the Andean Region, and the metropolitan area of Bogotá.

América Retail & Malls

Crystal Lagoons adds new accolades in 2024 to its extensive list of awards, with three of its most iconic projects again winning top honors at the prestigious International Property Awards, further cementing its legacy of international success. These awards, widely regarded as the most prestigious in the global real estate industry, highlight the transformative power of Crystal Lagoons® technology, capable of turning developments into commercial phenomena, redefining urban landscapes, and significantly enhancing the quality of life in the cities where the crystalline lagoons are introduced.

Lagoon Park Bucharest: An Urban Revolution in Europe

In Romania, the PAL® Development Lagoon Park Bucharest won the “Leisure Development” award, showcasing the revolution of Crystal Lagoons® technology in this iconic European city by bringing the idyllic beach life experience close to homes. Part of the exclusive Central District Lagoon City mega-project, this monumental crystalline lagoon has generated a mass attraction phenomenon since its pre-opening. Tickets sold out a week in advance, and the queues exceeded two hours, reflecting the immense interest in enjoying this artificial lagoon, suitable for swimming and water sports. Accessible to anyone through ticketed entry, it offers a unique Caribbean-style experience in the heart of Bucharest. Surrounding it are 11,000 m² of white sand beaches, restaurants, a beach bar, terraces, event and sports areas, exhibition spaces, green areas, and other infrastructure typical of the PAL® model.

Santa Rosalía Lake and Life Resort: Award-Winning Excellence in Spain

The iconic Santa Rosalía Lake and Life Resort in Murcia continues to rack up accolades. This year, it took home two awards at the European Property Awards: “Best Mixed-Use Development” for the fourth consecutive year and “Best Mixed-Use Architecture.” Featuring a 4-acre crystalline lagoon as its centerpiece, the project reimagines the nautical experience, enabling water sports in a safe natural setting. It also combines luxury residential areas with commercial, sports, and entertainment zones, creating a unique balance between urban living and nature in one of Europe’s sunniest locations, with more than 300 days of sunshine a year.

Munyaka: Innovation and Commercial Success in South Africa

The Munyaka project, home to South Africa’s largest crystalline lagoon, added another award to its impressive list of nine international accolades. This year, it was again recognized at the African Property Awards, reaffirming its status as a luxury and sustainability benchmark. In association with Balwin Properties, this exclusive development has achieved unprecedented commercial success, breaking sales records and leading sales rankings that have earned it further recognition. In just four days, 550 apartments were sold, replicating the historic record set by The Blyde, another complex developed by Crystal Lagoons with Balwin Properties in Pretoria. Known as “Johannesburg’s first beach,” the Munyaka lagoon covers an area equivalent to seven rugby fields. This unique space blends white sand beaches with luxury apartments, recreational areas, and commercial services, creating an unprecedented experience in South Africa’s economic heart.

With over 8,000 facilities worldwide and exponential growth, the data center industry is strategic and faces an urgent challenge: reducing its environmental impact while meeting the growing energy demand of its operations. Crystal Lagoons addresses this need with pioneering technology revolutionizing data center cooling in the United States, offering a high-impact and globally scalable sustainable solution.

Crystal Lagoons innovation enables sustainable cooling for data centers while climate-controlling monumental crystalline lagoons. In addition to featuring traditional beach areas, these lagoons will include warm water zones maintaining temperatures between 37 and 38 degrees Celsius, ensuring their use year-round, even on the coldest nights.

The first project where Crystal Lagoons will implement this system is the Angel Lagoon PAL® development in Texas, in association with Land Tejas, a renowned U.S. real estate developer. Located in Dayton, just 40 minutes from Houston, the site will feature a 6 MW data center cooled by the already-inaugurated 4,2-acre lagoon. Deep Green Energy, a subsidiary of the UK-based Octopus Energy, one of the world’s leading energy companies, will build and operate the data center.

Crystal Lagoons® technology directly impacts the reduction of energy consumption in data centers, as the lagoons act as heat dissipators, creating a closed-loop cooling system that reduces energy use by 40% to 50% compared to traditional air-cooled chiller systems. This sustainable solution also provides additional environmental benefits, such as reducing carbon footprints, accessing carbon credits, utilizing wasted energy, and streamlining project regulatory approval processes.

Cristóbal Baixas, Corporate Development Director of Crystal Lagoons, emphasized: “This is just the first project with Land Tejas, as Crystal Lagoons has signed an agreement to develop three additional PAL® complexes in Texas, named Magnolia, Sierra Vista, and Fry Road. They will also include data centers and use our sustainable cooling technology.”

This advancement highlights Crystal Lagoons’ commitment to sustainable innovation, expanding the positive impact the company has already achieved in various global industries, such as real estate and cities, through its Public Access Lagoons®, also known as PAL® developments. “Crystal Lagoons provides a comprehensive and sustainable solution for a strategic industry while simultaneously driving the expansion of temperate crystalline lagoons, which will become a growth engine for these projects in all climates,” concluded Baixas.