In MENA Crystal Lagoons is developing 15 new Public Access Lagoons™ and real estate projects

20/12/2021

The growth of Crystal Lagoons in the MENA market do not stop there as it has now agreed to develop 15 new projects, which will be developed under the successful Public Access Lagoons™ (also known as PAL™ complexes) and real estate models.

This firm is consolidating its rapid expansion in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) through a partnership with major regional investors and foreign equity funds that are interested in this unique and highly profitable amenity. Currently, the multinational innovation company has ongoing initiatives at different stages of development in countries like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Morocco, Jordan, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Kuwait.

Egypt is a benchmark for the company, having become in the most important market in the MENA region for Crystal Lagoons, accounting for almost half of its project portfolio, with 16 developments at different stages of development. Its flagship project is Citystars Sharm El Sheikh, in the middle of the Sinai desert, with a 12.5-hectare crystalline lagoon. Now, the multinational is moving forward with five new complexes for next year, which will be located at the Red Sea (Abu Soma) and in Cairo and be built in association with the same developers of the Sharm El Sheikh (Sharbatly) and Fouka Bay and Mount Galala (Tatweer Misr) projects, on Egypt’s Northern Coast.

Interest in Crystal Lagoons® technology is also increasing in Dubai. One of the most recognizable projects is Meydan, a complex with the most expensive square meter in the United Arab Emirates. Its centerpiece is a magnificent 40-hectare lagoon that is soon to be extended to 60 hectares, which will ensure it breaks the record as the world’s largest crystalline lagoon for the third time. The company is negotiating a master agreement –exclusive license agreements for specific geographical areas and a significant number of PAL™ projects- in Dubai for five Public Access Lagoons™. These complexes will be in partnership with a prestigious German-African real estate fund.

Meanwhile, the luxury Tilal Al Ghaf residential development will expand its 7-hectare man-made lagoon to 13 hectares after seeing extraordinary sales figures. This will position Tilal Al Ghaf among the top five best-selling off-plan projects in Dubai. The resort is being jointly developed with Majid Al Futtaim, a major firm with a presence in 13 MENA countries.

Lastly, the multinational is negotiating three new contracts in Saudi Arabia. Two master agreements for PAL™ lagoons and a real estate project in Jeddah.

The revolution of Public Access Lagoons™ developments.

PAL™ projects are attracting great interest worldwide. This is clearly reflected in the success of the master agreement model through which the company has already more than 800 projects at various stages of development across strategic markets. These immense bodies of water are suitable for swimming and create a beach-like atmosphere just meters from your doorstep. The crystal-clear lagoons and white sandy beaches are also open to the general public on payment of an entrance fee and so provide a tropical experience in the middle of a city. These paradisiacal lagoon surroundings can be used for trade shows, product launches, cultural activities in multiple settings, weddings, hotels, retail, restaurants, terraces, domes and amphitheaters, making them the meeting point of the 21st century.

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Crystal Lagoons transforms any environment into a tropical paradise and has demonstrated on five continents that idyllic beach life does not have to be limited by climatic conditions. Its sustainable technology maintains bathing areas at warm temperatures, similar to tropical seas, even during the coldest months. This allows for enjoying the Caribbean experience 365 days a year, even in cities with very cold winters, where it seems unreachable, such as Bucharest.

The capital of Romania, known for its freezing winter season and short days with temperatures that can drop to -10°C, now offers its residents and tourists the opportunity to experience the Caribbean year-round. This is possible thanks to the new Central District Lagoon Park Bucharest project, which features a monumental 3-acre crystalline lagoon developed under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® Developments. This lagoon, suitable for swimming and water sports, is surrounded by white sandy beaches, creating an urban oasis in this iconic European city, where paddle surfing, kayaking, windsurfing, and other activities can be enjoyed.

The project is revolutionizing the experience and quality of life for Bucharest’s residents, providing a unique entertainment offering in the area. Central District Lagoon Park is driven by the Crystal Lagoons in association with the property developer Forty Management. This high-luxury complex features 5,000 m² of white sandy beaches, a 5-star hotel with 340 rooms, 400 luxury apartments for rent, and 8,500 m² of offices, commerce, and services, including restaurants, cinemas, a helipad, a private cinema, a sky bar, a spa, educational centers, retail spaces, fairgrounds, and terraces, among other infrastructure characteristic of the PAL® developments.

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Crystal Lagoons is generating disruptive innovation in the global retail market. In Latin America, it is driving a new project that will revolutionize the shopping and entertainment experience in Colombia, redefining the concept of retail destinations: Kristal Malls, the largest shopping and entertainment center in the Colombian Caribbean, and the country’s first Shopping Resort. Located in Azul de Arenas, Cartagena de Indias, the project stands out for its monumental 7,4-acre crystalline lagoon suitable for swimming and water sports with Crystal Lagoons® technology. Developed under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments, the Lagoon will be accessible to all through ticketed entry.

The 296-acre development will be the next milestone in Colombia’s commercial landscape, with 110,000 m² of leasable area, highlighting its design and sustainable urbanism. In addition to the crystalline lagoon, Kristal Malls will integrate a wide variety of shops, including national and international luxury brands, a cinema, an amusement park for all ages, a 150-room hotel, offices, apartments, health centers, and a diverse range of restaurants, among other spaces.

“Shopping centers today must reinvent themselves and introduce new functional and experiential offerings to the public. PAL™ projects answer this need, as they offer an idyllic beach life and bring together restaurants, event centers, culture, shows, and activities, enhancing public attraction. An example of this is Ary Laguna, one of the largest shopping centers in Pakistan, and the advanced conversations with major US retailer chains,” explains Francisco Matte, Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean of Crystal Lagoons.

Kristal Malls is part of one of the most significant agreements signed by Crystal Lagoons in Latin America, in association with AED Constructores, one of the leading real estate firms in the country. The mega-contract includes 13 projects with crystalline lagoons that will enhance another tourist icon, such as the “Eje Cafetero,” in addition to the Colombian Caribbean.

“The fact that one of Colombia’s leading developers, such as AED, partners with Crystal Lagoons to build numerous projects, including the largest shopping center in the Colombian Caribbean, shows how our concept and technology are a success in Colombia,” adds Matte.

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03-07-2024

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.

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.

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

03-07-2024