A visit to the recently opened project of Crystal Lagoons in the United States, located in Orlando, was carried out by more than 30 prominent real estate developers and executives from engineering, consulting, and design firms worldwide. They witnessed firsthand the added value of crystalline lagoons to the real estate, tourism, and entertainment sectors.
The 8-acre crystalline lagoon is the centerpiece of Evermore and a milestone for Orlando. The city has a wide range of entertainment offerings but no beach, an issue that this major development addresses with a Crystal Lagoons® amenity surrounded by expansive white sandy beaches. Ivan Manzur, Senior Vice President of Sales of Crystal Lagoons US Corp., presented on-site to the visitors the impact of these lagoons on sales and quality of life.
The dynamism in sales provided by these lagoons surprised developers of commercial real estate projects, like Samuel Kammerman, Project Coordinator for Exdev, who stated that Crystal Lagoons provides many attractive opportunities for real estate developments. “In Evermore, the crystalline lagoon creates an oasis in the middle of a city without access to the sea,” affirmed the executive.
Evermore, located just steps away from Disney World and Universal, in the heart of Orlando, was recently opened and is one of the largest tourism projects in Florida. In addition to the lagoon as a centerpiece, it stands out for hosting the first Conrad hotel in Orlando, a luxury brand of the Hilton chain, and an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the best golfers in history.
Likewise, executives driving the renovations of significant complexes in other North American states, such as the redevelopment of the Six Flags amusement park in New Orleans, highlighted the contribution of these lagoons. “A crystalline lagoon would be a tremendous asset to our park. I’ve been most impressed with the dimensions and the fact that, regardless of the size of the lagoons, they always have the same water quality. It’s just fantastic,” noted Michael McKenna from Henry Consulting, the company in charge of Six Flags´ redevelopment.
Meanwhile, Christina Tran, a project management specialist for Contender Development, emphasized the aesthetic contribution of the lagoons. “The visual appeal of the lagoons makes people want to be there and make beach life part of their lifestyle. Having an amenity like Crystal Lagoons has a very positive benefit for developers and builders.”
For their part, the Guatemalan real estate developer Oscar Paiz, from Grupo Paiz, explains, “Crystal Lagoons generates a significant impact on projects, as the lagoons provide high added value to developments. It’s not the same to sell a complex with a pool or other amenities as it is with a Crystal Lagoons® amenity. It definitely helps to increase the value of the square meter,” he concluded.