Sports Illustrated builds hotel in Lago Mar crystalline lagoon

Sports Illustrated, the legendary magazine known for its in-depth sports coverage and swimsuit model covers, will develop one of its first tourism projects next to the huge lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology at the Lago Mar project in Texas.

The nine-story complex, which includes a 200-room hotel, will be located around the 12-acre crystalline lagoon, the largest in Texas, and, according to the firm, promises an “unparalleled retreat for sports enthusiasts.”

The Sports Illustrated Resort is the result of a joint venture between Sports Hospitality Ventures, LLC (Sports Illustrated) and Lagoon Development (Lago Mar), a firm with which the multinational water innovation company also has a master agreement to develop four Public Access Lagoons™ projects, also known as PAL™ developments, scheduled to open between 2024 and 2026.

Sports Illustrated has been working on this project, billed as the “Major League of leisure,” in addition to the hotel, it will also include a Stadium Sports Grill and the Sports Illustrated Beach Club with beachside cabanas, resort services, and a swim-up island bar, among other services. The groundbreaking ceremony is set to take place in the third quarter of 2024. 

“We are thrilled to announce and welcome the arrival of the Sports Illustrated Resorts to Lago Mar,” said Uri Man, Founder and CEO of Lagoon Development.  

Lago Mar, in the heart of Texas, has made an unprecedented impact since its inception. This complex has transformed the lifestyle of this state thanks to its monumental 12-acre lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, which has become the epicenter of family entertainment, fun, and aquatic life in the region.

The success of this initiative is undeniable. It has positioned Lagoonfest Texas as the preferred summer destination and set a record by hosting the largest number of floating cabins in North America, totaling 22. Furthermore, it’s a project that experiences explosive visitation. Last year, the Lagoon welcomed over 80,000 visitors from all states.

The United States is the world’s leading market for Crystal Lagoons. Texas has a significant presence, surpassing Florida, California, North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama, with multiple projects, including the Crystal Lagoons® amenity. 

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The amenity powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology is an exclusive and highly valued element by buyers.

Once again, a Crystal Lagoons project makes headlines for its strong sales figures. This time, it’s the Marena development, located in the city of Luque, near Asunción, the capital of Paraguay.

Despite the challenging real estate context and high competition, the complex has sold more than 100 units in one year. “We have achieved extraordinary results despite the headwind, which confirms the validity of our proposal,” explained Gonzalo Faccas, managing partner of developer Eydisa.

The executive added, “This is the first crystalline lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology in the middle of the city, making it an exclusive and highly valued feature.”

The success of the first building, named Brisa, has been so remarkable that the firm is launching Torre Arena, the second of eight planned towers. The building responds to the high demand for units overlooking the lagoon, a desire clearly expressed by the market.

However, this milestone is not the first achievement of this complex. Since its launch, the project has generated unprecedented interest among buyers thanks to its monumental crystalline lagoon. In fact, it reached a record sales figure, surpassing 45% of units sold in its first phase within just a few months, reflecting the strong appeal of these turquoise-colored water features.

The project, driven by Crystal Lagoons and its commercial partners Eydisa and Castex, comprises eight apartment buildings offering spectacular views of the crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sand beaches and palm trees. Marena residents will enjoy a unique lifestyle with year-round access to water activities such as Stand-up, paddleboarding, Kayaking, Windsurfing, and Swimming.

The residential project is located just minutes from the city center, close to malls, offices, restaurants, banks, schools, and supermarkets, providing a convenient and functional daily lifestyle.

The success of Marena further strengthens Crystal Lagoons position in Paraguay, one of the multinational’s main markets in South America, where it has outstanding projects such as Aqua Village in San BernardinoBlue Lagoon in Pedro Juan Caballero, Costa del Lago in Hernandarias, and AquaTerra in Luque.

Infonegocios

The Crystal Lagoons project has become the epicenter of tribute bands, showcasing the best of Taylor Swift, Prince, Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, and 80s hits.

Powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, Evermore Bay serves as the stunning backdrop for a series of concerts at Evermore Orlando Resort. Located in the heart of Orlando, this project is one of Florida’s largest tourism ventures.

Throughout January and February, resort guests can enjoy an exciting lineup of beachfront performances by talented tribute artists. The series features bands covering hits from Taylor Swift, Prince, Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters, Jimmy Buffett, and 80s classics.

With over 10,000 rooms, this expansive complex is anchored by an impressive 8-acre crystalline lagoon. The project marks a significant milestone in the hotel and entertainment industry, promising to redefine the vacation experience in Orlando.

Beach Life in Orlando

The inclusion of the Crystal Lagoons® amenity is particularly noteworthy. While Orlando boasts an extensive array of entertainment options, it has long lacked a beach to enhance its tourist appeal. This gap is now filled by the turquoise lagoon and its nearly 8 hectares of pristine beach, offering guests a unique tropical retreat.

Conveniently situated near globally renowned attractions like Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort and just a short drive from Orlando International Airport, the luxury project has been hailed as a tropical beach paradise.

World-Class Hotel and Amenities

The development also introduces Orlando’s first Conrad Hotel, Hilton’s prestigious luxury brand. It features an exclusive selection of homes, villas, and apartments, along with two 18-hole golf courses designed by Jack Nicklaus. This project redefines vacation living with world-class hotel and resort standards.

“Crystal Lagoons brings a piece of the Caribbean to this iconic landlocked city, allowing visitors to enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in a tropical oasis with turquoise waters and white sand beaches,” said Ivan Manzur, Senior Vice President of Sales at Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

Real estate projects have traditionally sought to be located near the ocean, a lake, or a river due to the added value that a body of water provides—an increasingly scarce resource. In response to this limitation, developers worldwide are increasingly incorporating lagoons with Crystal Lagoons® technology, creating a new waterfront.

In fact, these crystalline lagoons have transformed the real estate paradigm of “location, location, location,” becoming the World’s Top Amenity. They boost the value of real estate projects and redefine what it means to own waterfront property. This innovation allows developers to raise sales prices, increase the value per square meter, and enhance project density.

The success of Crystal Lagoons worldwide is due to its crystalline lagoons perfectly recreating a piece of the Caribbean, allowing homes near them to cost less than those on a real beach. In fact, the developments of the multinational innovation company have consolidated as a commercial phenomenon, and every year, they stand out in different real estate rankings among the best-selling projects, confirming that lagoons are a driver of sales across the board.

Lagoons allow developers to sell lots to home builders at premium prices. Home builders, in turn, can charge more for the houses. Additionally, houses near lagoons sell faster than those in new neighborhoods without one.

The crystalline lagoons increase the value of the surrounding land by transforming an inland area into a resort-like space. These large bodies of water allow for creating a beach-style living experience anywhere, letting people live in a home as if they were on vacation every day.

A similar situation is happening with Public Access Lagoons® complexes, also known as PAL® developments, which are changing the lives of millions of people in cities. These projects, accessible to all through ticketed entry, have the unique appeal of bringing idyllic beach life just steps away from homes in the middle of the city while also offering event spaces with unparalleled scenic beauty, thanks to its large turquoise crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches, which are illuminated at night, creating a magical ambiance. The infrastructure includes terraces, amphitheaters, domes, esplanades, commercial areas, and entertainment spaces.

Crystalline lagoons have become a key element in real estate and PAL® projects. Not only because they conquer homebuyers by bringing beach life and water sports, but also because they have become a social meeting point for people.

The sustainability of Crystal Lagoons® technology is also a relevant element, since these bodies of water need fewer chemicals than regular pools and 2% of the energy required for pool-filtration systems. In addition, the lagoons are filled once, consumes 40% less water than a green space of a similar surface area, 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course and need water only to compensate the evaporation.