Public Access Lagoons® Projects: The New Frontier of Profitability in Urban Real Estate

• Spanning 8.64 acres, featuring seven white-sand beaches, and a highly efficient design, the project demonstrates how an iconic amenity can transform a real estate development into a true destination.

Real estate innovation in Central America has reached a new milestone. Crystal Lagoons has completed the construction of a new crystalline lagoon, this time in Costa Rica, specifically at Ciudad NYA, a mixed-use urban development in Liberia, Guanacaste. The project marks the completion of the construction phase of the development’s most iconic amenity and paves the way for a new stage of residential, commercial, and experiential activation throughout 2026.

Spanning 8.64 acres, featuring seven white-sand beaches, a central island with docks, and a mile-long perimeter path, the lagoon is integrated as the heart of the project and as a new benchmark for lifestyle real estate in the region. In a market where developers need to stand out with memorable proposals, Ciudad NYA demonstrates how a high-impact amenity can redefine a real estate asset’s value proposition.

Ciudad NYA: A Mixed-Use Project with a Long-Term Vision

The lagoon is part of Ciudad NYA, a project located in Liberia that includes more than 2,224 acres of development and natural conservation. Its concept integrates residential, commercial, services, tourism, and recreational spaces under a vision of environmental sustainability and modern urban planning.

This context is key to understanding the value of Crystal Lagoons® technology. In a mixed-use development, a crystalline lagoon is more than just an amenity; it serves as infrastructure for attraction, identity, and activation. The completion of this construction phase also coincides with preparations for the delivery of the first residential units in Tower A, as well as the future opening of commercial, recreational, and entertainment spaces throughout 2026.

A Driver of Value Appreciation and Differentiation for Developers

The completion of this lagoon at Ciudad NYA sends a clear message to the real estate industry in Central America: a project’s value is no longer measured solely by its location, but by the experience it can create.

• Sales Acceleration: The presence of a crystalline lagoon acts as a magnet for buyers and international investors, significantly reducing the sales cycle for residential units.
• Urban Landscape Transformation: In Liberia, an area traditionally known for its warm climate and distance from the immediate coastline, Ciudad NYA creates a “beachfront,” exponentially increasing the value per square foot.
• Business Model Resilience: As the first project of its kind in Costa Rica, Ciudad NYA gains a first-mover competitive advantage, establishing a strong barrier to entry for competitors that do not offer this level of innovation.

Sustainability: The Decisive Factor for the Costa Rican Market

For a market like Costa Rica, where environmental protection is a cornerstone of national identity, Crystal Lagoons® technology stands out as the only solution capable of delivering responsible luxury.

Unlike conventional swimming pools or traditional artificial lakes, the multinational innovation company’s patented technology stands out for its extreme efficiency:

1. Minimal Water Consumption: It is filled only once and operates as a closed-circuit system that only requires compensation for natural evaporation, using up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course and 40% less water than a park of the same size.
2. Energy Efficiency: It uses only 2% of the energy required by traditional pool filtration systems.
3. Low Chemical Use: Its pulse-based disinfection system allows it to use up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a conventional swimming pool.

What’s Next for Ciudad NYA

With construction now complete, Ciudad NYA is entering a new activation phase. During 2026, the project is expected to deliver the first residential units in Tower A, along with the opening of retail spaces, recreational areas, and a program of sports, cultural, and entertainment activities.

This new phase positions the lagoon as a centerpiece of the project experience and as a driver for attracting residents, visitors, and commercial interest in one of the country’s most promising areas.

An Amenity That Transforms

The completion of Costa Rica’s first crystalline lagoon at Ciudad NYA confirms how an iconic amenity can transform a real estate development into a destination. For developers, the project demonstrates that it is possible to combine differentiation, experience, sustainability, and a long-term vision into a single value proposition.

Periódico Mensaje

• This innovation is generating strong media attention in the United States and Latin America because it brings the idyllic beach experience to more compact projects, at a lower cost than a traditional swimming pool and with strong potential to increase property value, sales, and occupancy.

The launch of the new 5,400 sq ft Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ model is attracting strong media attention across the United States and Latin America. This interest is no coincidence: it is the smallest format the multinational water innovation company has introduced to date, designed to compete directly with commercial swimming pools and bring Crystal Lagoons® technology to smaller-scale real estate and hospitality projects.

The news story has already been covered in over 630 media outlets, establishing the new format as one of Crystal Lagoons’ most high-profile recent innovations. Among the leading outlets featured in the media coverage are AP, FOX, NBC, ABC, Benzinga, Yahoo!, Agencia EFE, Revista Fortuna and Estadão Blue Studio. 

Why the New 5,400 sq ft Model Is Generating So Much Interest

This new format marks a turning point because, for the first time, the Crystal Lagoons® proprietary technology is being offered in a size that competes directly with commercial swimming pools. The concept is aimed at real estate developers and hospitality operators looking for a more distinctive amenity, one that delivers a real beach experience, but within a more compact footprint and with a more cost-efficient structure.

More Than Just a Pool: A New Commercial Value Proposition for Developers

The core message is clear: traditional swimming pools are no longer enough for projects that need to stand out. Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models are not positioned as a simple pool upgrade;  it’s a new category of amenity capable of transforming a project into a destination, adding turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, and a “beach lifestyle” experience that maximizes the commercial potential of every square foot. 

This point is especially relevant for real estate developers. Crystal Lagoons® technology serves as an anchor amenity, that is, an infrastructure capable of increasing profitability, added value, and differentiation across wide range of development types, from residential communities and hotels to multifamily and urban entertainment projects.

Benefits That Make Headlines

Key advantages of Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons® models include:

• Up to 4 times lower construction cost than a swimming pool of the same size.
• Up to one-third of the maintenance cost compared to traditional swimming pools.
• Construction in around 3 months, versus 6 months or more for a conventional swimming pool.
• No machine room required, reducing complexity and infrastructure costs. 
• Equipment replacement costs that are practically insignificant.

Small in size, but big in commercial impact.

One of the most relevant aspects is that the new model does not sacrifice impact for scale. Although it occupies only 5,400 sq ft, it retains the attributes that have made Crystal Lagoons recognizable: immediate visual appeal, a beach-like experience, social life around the water, and uses that go beyond simply swimming. 

The proposal includes activities and components that a conventional swimming pool cannot match with the same narrative or commercial power:

• Beach life
• Water sports
• Wet bars
• Pedestrian walkways
• Weddings and events
• Lagoon Lounge, with an “L”-shaped edge and submerged seating

For the real estate market, this means an amenity that not only enhances the property’s appeal but also helps increase property value, accelerate sales velocity, and improve hotel occupancy rates. These arguments are among the key advantages of Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models for boutique hotels, mid-rise residential developments, mixed-use projects, and communities that previously did not have the space or budget for a larger-scale lagoon. 

Sustainability and efficiency: another reason behind media interest

The coverage also finds a powerful angle in the model’s operational efficiency as a key selling point. The sustainable technology of Crystal Lagoons uses up to 100 times less filtration energy than a traditional swimming pool, 33 times less water than a golf course, and 40% of the water required by a park of the same size. In addition, the multinational water innovation company has more than 1,000 projects in different stages across more than 60 countries, reinforcing the global scale of its value proposition.

At a time when developers and hotel operators must justify investments not only for their appeal, but also for their ESG performance and long-term efficiency, this combination of experience, sustainability, and return on investment helps explain why the new 5,400 sq ft model has captured so much editorial attention.

What Does This Launch Means for the Real Estate and Hospitality Industries?

The major innovation behind this model is that it democratizes access to an amenity historically associated with larger-scale projects. By bringing Crystal Lagoons® technology into a format that competes with commercial swimming pools, the innovation-driven multinational is expanding its potential market to include boutique, multifamily, mid-rise, hospitality, and mixed-use developments that previously could not capture the value of a crystalline lagoon. 

That changes the conversation for developers:

Strategic Implications of the New Model

• More projects can incorporate an iconic amenity without requiring large land areas.
• Standardization accelerates time to market.
• The beach experience becomes available in urban and compact formats.
• Returns are no longer driven solely by aesthetic appeal but are also supported by concrete commercial metrics such as price, sales velocity, and occupancy.

A Market-Validated Investment

The strong media interest in the new 5,400 sq ft Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ model confirms that the market is closely watching innovations capable of combining differentiation, efficiency, and return on investment. More than just a product announcement, this launch establishes a strategic vision for the industry: the new frontier of amenities is not about building “better swimming pools,” but about creating destination experiences at a fraction of the cost and in far more versatile formats.

For real estate and hospitality developers, the message is clear: when an amenity can generate media conversation, perceived value, and measurable commercial advantages at the same time, it stops being an extra and becomes a true business tool.

Associated Press

• From residential communities and luxury hotels to multifamily and Public Access Lagoons® projects, the versatility of Crystal Lagoons® technology becomes the ultimate driver of profitability, added value, and water sustainability for any real estate business model.

In the dynamic landscape of real estate, hospitality, and public projects, differentiation is no longer an option; it is a necessity for survival. Crystal Lagoons® technology has disrupted the industry not only as a milestone in water innovation, but also as a value driver capable of radically transforming a project.

What makes this innovation unique is its versatility. There is no one-size-fits-all development model; from residential communities to boutique hotels and urban entertainment centers, Crystal Lagoons tailors its value proposition to the specific objectives of each developer.

And this is because this “anchor amenity” strengthens the four main pillars of modern development.

1. Master-Planned Communities (MPCs): Accelerating Sales Velocity

In large residential developments, the challenge often lies in increasing the value of land that does not have a prime location. The incorporation of a crystalline lagoon breaks this paradigm.

• Increased Property Value in “Second-Line” Areas: By creating an artificial turquoise-water shoreline, second-line or inland lots gain a value comparable to, or even greater than, that of traditional coastal properties.
• Accelerated Sales Velocity: The presence of a crystalline lagoon can increase sales velocity by up to 70%, allowing for a much faster return on capital for the developer.
• Brand Identity: The lagoon becomes the heart of the community, fostering an active lifestyle (swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding) that appeals to families and high-profile buyers.

2. Hospitality and Luxury: Elevating RevPAR and Occupancy

For the hospitality sector, Crystal Lagoons is the catalyst that transforms a hotel into a world-class destination, regardless of its geographic location.

• A 365-Day Destination: It makes it possible to offer an idyllic beach experience even in inland destinations or in climates where the natural sea is inaccessible or dangerous.
• Impact on Financial Metrics: Hotels with crystalline lagoons report significant increases in ADR (Average Daily Rate) and RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Room), consistently outperforming competitors that offer only conventional pools.
• Reduced Seasonality: The lagoon acts as a booking magnet year-round, providing a controlled and safe environment for guests.

3. Mixed-Use and Multifamily Projects: Density with Quality of Life

In high-density developments and multifamily rental buildings, space is the scarcest asset. Small Lagoons by Crystal Lagoons™ models (crystalline lagoons ranging from 5,400 sq ft to 1 acre) are the perfect solution for this model.

• Tenant Retention: In the multifamily market, world-class amenities are the number one factor in reducing tenant turnover and justifying premium rents.
• Differentiation on the Urban Skyline: A crystalline lagoon turns a mixed-use project into an architectural and social landmark, attracting both residents and high-end commercial tenants.
• CAPEX Optimization: By replacing multiple costly-to-maintain green areas or small pools with a single efficient lagoon, the developer optimizes both the initial investment and the operating budget.

4. Public Access Lagoons®: The New Standard in Urban Entertainment

The Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as the PAL® model, is the crown jewel in terms of direct monetization. This format allows anyone to access the lagoon by purchasing a ticket, transforming the space into a multifaceted entertainment hub.

• Diversified Revenue Streams: In addition to ticketing, PAL® developments generate revenue through corporate events, concerts, weddings, retail, dining, and beach services, among others.
• Mass Traffic Anchor: A PAL® project can attract thousands of daily visitors, benefiting all surrounding businesses and turning industrial or underutilized areas into the city’s new hotspots.

Sustainability: The Common Thread Across All Models

Regardless of the project type, Crystal Lagoons® technology ensures that profitability does not come at the expense of the environment. In an industry that prioritizes ESG standards, the figures speak for themselves:

• Low water consumption: It uses up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course and 40% less than a park of the same size.
• Energy efficiency: It requires only 2% of the energy used by conventional pool filtration systems.
• Minimal chemical use: It requires up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool, thanks to its pulse-based disinfection system.

Versatility Is the True Differentiator

In a market where every project needs to justify its value proposition more clearly than ever, Crystal Lagoons stands out as one of the few amenities capable of adapting to a wide range of developments without losing brand strength or transformational impact.

Master-planned communities, hotels, resorts, mixed-use projects, multifamily developments, and Public Access Lagoons® developments may have different objectives. But they all share one need: a central feature that creates differentiation, experience, and value.

That is the key to Crystal Lagoons: one amenity, multiple models of success.

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