Crystal Lagoons®: unbeatable added value for real estate and tourism developments

Líderes Mexicanos, one of the leading economical magazines of Mexico, presented an extensive report of Crystal Lagoons® and its technology, that allows crystalline lagoons of unlimited sizes, that have become an unbeatable added value for real estate and tourism developments.

In an interview with Jean Pierre Juanchich, Crystal Lagoons Latin America’s Regional Director, the magazine highlights that the multinational water innovation company has developed projects in Mexico like Diamante Cabo San Lucas, in Baja California, Bluu in Mazatlán and in Riviera Maya and Nayarit, among others.

Crystal Lagoons is “a technology company with more than a thousand projects, at different stages of development, all over the world, that was founded by Fernando Fischmann, a real estate entrepreneur biochemist, that dreamt of bringing the idyllic beaches of the Caribbean to Chile”, explains Juanchich.

Today, the innovate multinational is developing negotiations in Mexico to achieve an exclusivity master agreement to develop 30 Public Access Lagoons ™ projects, also known as PAL™ projects. These developments have already enchanted many markets, like US (16 PAL), Central America (18 PAL in El Salvador, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Panama, Nicaragua and Belize), Korea (30 PAL) and Pakistan (15 PAL).

These projects “generate hotspots near big urban hubs, that already have that large space touristic attraction vibe. In big parks the main attractions is the lagoon, whether for nautical sports and swimming, or its adjacent retail spaces and malls. In fact, we have witness and increased interest in these projects, hand in hand to the pandemic” adds the executive in the interview.

Among the operational projects in Mexico Diamante Cabo San Lucas stands out, a project that due to the subprime crisis faced financial issues. However, after including a Crystal Lagoons amenity it positioned itself as the most important resort in Baja California, with villas worth between US $ 2 and 4 million and US $ 70 thousand a week of timeshare.

Diamante and other previous developments where the example that generated the attention of well-known Mexican investors in the PAL Projects business model.

The new public access developments appraised by investment funds and local real estate firms would be located in Mexico City, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Tijuana, Cuernavaca, Cancun, Merida and Morelos, among other localities.

“Mexican investors identified these developments as a new alternative of long term investments, with never-before-seen return rates, low investment and limited risk. Each project has an estimated initial investment of about US $ 8 million, and as they are being built they quickly generate profits, which allows an organic financing of the growth and development of the business; and with a low initial investment, create a company with a very high present value.”, explains Jean Pierre Juanchich, Crystal Lagoons Latin America’s Regional Director.

The PAL projects are monumental man-made lagoons with turquoise water, surrounded with beaches, suitable for swimming and nautical sports, that can be accessed through a ticket. Additionally, and thanks to a new Crystal Lagoons technology named Hot Reef™, bathing zones are kept year round at 28°C, providing optimal conditions at a sustainable and low rate, similar to tropical seas that allows enjoying them all seasons.

PAL developments are internationally known for their added value and contribution to the cities, becoming the most beautiful place of the area. There are projects with more or less infrastructure, and the most complete have spaces for fairs, food-halls, marriages and events, retail, amphitheaters, shows and concerts in multiple locations like beaches, terraces and domes.

“Mexico is a market with great potential for PAL projects due to its climate and population, among other features. These developments will change the lives of millions of Mexicans by bringing a fraction of the ocean within walking distance of their homes and preventing them from having to take a car or plane to go to the beach, with the resulting environmental savings”, concludes Juanchich.

In fact, areas such as PAL projects are being particularly needed in cities after the confinement, as people prefer to relax in areas closer to their residence, and in controlled enclosures that guarantee sanitary measures. Being able to have a beach lifestyle and recreation close to home reduces many of the liabilities.

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Once again, the prestigious international entertainment, travel, and tourism guide Time Out has turned its attention to the Crystal Lagoons Treasure Bay project on the idyllic island of Bintan, Indonesia. Its recent edition of recommendations on what to see, do, and experience highlighted this project as essential to include in travelers’ itineraries and a must-visit in the region due to its unique features, as the largest crystalline lagoon in Southeast Asia with sustainable Crystal Lagoons® technology spanning 15.5 acres, equivalent to 50 Olympic-size swimming pools, surrounded by 1,400 meters of white sandy beaches.

Time Out recommended this project developed under the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments, emphasizing the variety of aquatic experiences that can be enjoyed across its 222 acres, allowing visitors to indulge in beach life year-round with options for dining, spa, shopping, entertainment, and nightlife. Within the artificial lagoon, an oasis of turquoise waters, visitors can partake in water sports such as bungee jumping, cable water skiing, boating, slides, paddleboarding, kayaking, and wakeboarding.

With its monumental body of water, Treasure Bay has established itself as a unique experience on the paradise island of Bintan, Indonesia. Bintan, known for its nearly 3,000 islands, strategically faces Singapore and Johor Bahru, Malaysia. It offers many tourist attractions, including world-class golf courses, hiking, elephant parks, eco-farms, luxury spas, and beach activities.

This PAL™ development is surrounded by 1,400 meters of white sandy beaches, with a length of 800 meters and reaching a maximum depth of 2.5 meters. It offers various water recreation experiences, including bungee jumping, cable water skiing, boat rides, water slides, paddle boarding, kayaking, and wakeboarding. The artificial lagoon allows visitors to enjoy beach life year-round with dining options, spas, shops, entertainment, and nightlife.PAL™ projects, which anyone can access for an entrance fee, transform any site into a year-round entertainment hub with more than 125 activities that can take place in the lagoon itself or its surroundings.

Crystal Lagoons® technology is revolutionizing the hotel industry and changing the paradigm of vacation developments. Major international hotel chains such as Marriott, Radisson, Conrad, Hyatt Regency, and AVA recognize the transformative value of crystalline lagoons. They have incorporated this amenity as a critical element in their projects, making them more attractive destinations.

In association with the prestigious AVA hotel chain, Crystal Lagoons is developing an iconic project that will become the most prominent luxury resort in Cancun, centered around a monumental 2.8-acre crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches. This artificial lagoon with turquoise waters will allow guests to enjoy exclusive floating cabins and various water activities in a unique environment.  

When it opens in June 2024, AVA Resort Cancún will be an innovative luxury destination just 10 minutes from Cancun International Airport and along the city’s most extensive commercial promenade. It will be a landmark in Mexican tourism and Cancun, the largest city on the Yucatan Peninsula and a regional cultural, financial, and tourist hub.

This beachfront oasis, with all rooms facing the sea, will offer experiences for all ages and various accommodation options, from elegant rooms to spacious villas, all with breathtaking views of the Mexican Caribbean. Six pools, a water park for children, and first-class beach services ensure relaxation and fun. Additionally, high-end boutiques and local shops will provide exclusive shopping options.

Crystal Lagoons is a pioneer in sustainability and innovation. It will offer an idyllic beach landscape to enjoy a lively life around the lagoon. Guests can relax in one or four water cabins or engage in non-motorized water sports, all in the same body of water”, said Ash Tembe, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for North America at AIC Hotel Group.

Around the world, the concept and technology of Crystal Lagoons® have become the leading sales attraction, positively impacting its commercial success. Despite the credit and real estate challenges in the current economic conditions, Crystal Lagoons projects continue to defy the market with very impressive sales figures, particularly in the United States. The rankings from real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns on the best-selling master-planned communities once again demonstrated that crystalline lagoons are a powerful purchasing driver. SunterraMiradaWindsong Ranch, and Epperson secured prominent positions in 2023.

These projects ranked among the top 50 best-selling communitiesFlorida leads the ranking within the list, representing close to 40% of the sales for all top-ranked developments, followed by Texas with 37%. In both states, Crystal Lagoons has a significant presence.

In Texas, Sunterra stands out as a project that, even though the crystalline lagoon has not been built yet, serves as a commercial driver within the community, generating sales rates higher than the average, with a significant increase of 63% compared to 2022. This placed it 3rd nationally in both rankings, further boosting the strong performance of Houston, the top-selling metropolitan area in the country. Sunterra’s positive sales results had already been recorded in previous reports.

With the largest amenity powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology in the United States, Mirada in Florida, inaugurated in 2023, sets another record. With an 89% increase in sales, it ranks 17th. Its 15 acres of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are a buying trigger.

Another notable project in Texas is Windsong Ranch, which has consistently set sales records, ranking 29th in the John Burns ranking. The project has also been nationally awarded as “Master Planned Community of the Year,” among other recognitions.

On the other hand, Epperson in Florida also ranked prominently in both studies, a commercial trend registered since its inauguration as a real estate project. The interest it generated was so significant that it had to be opened to the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments.

The United States is the main operation of Crystal Lagoons worldwide, and it has more than 275 projects at different stages of development and negotiation. Among the most important are Mirada, Sole Mia, Balmoral, Windsong Ranch, Beachwalk, Southshore Bay, Aqua, among others. The recent joint venture to develop four Public Access Lagoons™ complexes, also known as PAL™, in Texas stands out and will add to the successful public access developments Epperson (Florida) and Lago Mar (Texas).

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