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The Success of Crystal Lagoons in the U.S.

The global expansion of Crystal Lagoons, with more than 1,000 projects at various stages of development in more than 60 countries, has come thanks to the successful management of a multidisciplinary and innovative self-motivated team.

The United States is the world’s most competitive and dynamic real estate and entertainment market. For this reason, Crystal Lagoons has a strong commercial team with regional directors. It is a multicultural team of which Benjamín Fischmann is a part, son of the founder of Crystal Lagoons, who first joined as an intern and in 2018 was formally put in charge of the West Coast, including Hawaii, where he recently conducted a successful roadshow with real estate operators and hoteliers

“It is remarkable how Crystal Lagoons projects are valued by the idiosyncrasies of the tourist places recognizes by its beach culture. Our plans to bring our value proposition to Honolulu, Hawaii, is coming on in leaps and bounds,” said Fischmann.

How do you see the U.S. market?

The United States is the largest market of Crystal Lagoons worldwide and is why we have established our headquarters here. The United States invests more in entertainment and quality of life than any other country in the world and the fact that we are adding new locations here marks a real milestone.

Our commercial team shares strategic objectives of innovation, sustainability and growth, and has conquered the main developers of the different states, demonstrating the financial attractiveness of the Crystal Lagoons technology® and business models.

Today, we have 260 real estate and PAL™ projects at various stages of development in 23 of the 50 U.S. states including Hawaii, California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Texas, Florida, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama and Tennessee, among others. 

 

How is Crystal Lagoons growing on the West Coast?

My responsibility is to expand Crystal Lagoons’ presence in the West Coast states. There is a lot of potential for Crystal Lagoons in California, where we have projects under construction and others at the negotiation stage that we hope to sign off on soon. We have also signed agreements in Utah and hope to have news from Arizona and Nevada in the coming months.

 

How important is teamwork to Crystal Lagoons’ expansion?

The team has good business strategies and great execution. On the East Coast, we have Eric Cherasia as regional director, while Nicolas Galotti is in charge of the Central region. These executives, along with other members of our sales team have played a key role in ensuring our well-deserved success in the U.S. because they have understood the different demands and ways of doing business in different U.S. regions.

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The Desert Miracle: How Crystal Lagoons Transforms Arid Zones into Sustainable Luxury Oasis

Crystal Lagoons® technology enables the creation of urban beaches in the middle of the desert, combining luxury, urban beach life, and sustainability by utilizing desert groundwater that has no other alternative use.

Historically, luxury real estate development in desert areas has faced an insurmountable barrier: the scarcity of water and the challenge of providing refreshing natural environments sustainably. The desert has been synonymous with aridity, not aquatic leisure. However, a technological innovation has rewritten this rule, proving that it is possible to bring idyllic beach life even to the most extreme climates.

Crystal Lagoons has achieved the unthinkable: bringing the ocean to the desert. Through its patented technology, the company has transformed vast expanses of sand into iconic real estate megaprojects, where turquoise-water lagoons and white-sand beaches become the central amenity, driving sales, added value, and quality of life.

For visionary developers, this means that geographic location is no longer a limitation. The dream of beach life in the city, even if dunes surround that city, is now a commercially viable and, crucially, environmentally sustainable reality.

Water Sustainability: The Fundamental Pillar in Arid Climates

The main concern when developing aquatic amenities in the desert is water scarcity. This is where Crystal Lagoons® technology stands apart radically from any other solution, becoming the only truly viable option for these ecosystems.

Far from being a waste of resources, these lagoons are examples of water and energy efficiency, a key persuasive factor for project approval and for attracting sustainability-minded investors:

Minimal Consumption:

  • The lagoons operate in a closed circuit and are filled only once, replenishing only the water lost through evaporation.
  • A crystalline lagoon uses 33 times less water than a golf course and around 40% less water than a park of the same size. This is vital in regions where every drop counts.
  • Use of Non-Potable Water: The technology can utilize any type of water, including fresh, salt, or brackish (the latter being abundant in many desert areas and having no alternative use).
  • Evaporation Control: This technology utilizes an additive film that reduces natural evaporation by up to 50%.
  • Energy Efficiency and Fewer Chemicals: Its pulsed filtration system uses only 2% of the energy required by conventional swimming pool filtration systems, allowing for the use of up to 100 times fewer chemicals.

Iconic Megaprojects: Proven Success in the Sand

The ultimate proof of Crystal Lagoons’ viability in the desert lies in its impressive portfolio of projects already operational or under development in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. These developments have used the lagoon as a catalyst to create world-class destinations.

Citystars Sharm El Sheikh, in Egypt, is one of the milestones that demonstrates how beach life can be created in the desert.

  • Located in the heart of the Sinai Desert, on a 1,853-acre site.
  • Its crystalline lagoon covers approximately 28 acres and was recognized by Guinness World Records as the largest in the world.
  • It has established itself as a global attraction, a true oasis of turquoise waters and white-sand beaches in the middle of an arid environment.

For a master plan in the desert, the message is clear: a single lagoon can transform the project’s positioning, attract international tourism, increase land value, and extend the high season.

In turn, in Dubai, within the Mohammed Bin Rashid City (MBR City) development, Crystal Lagoons® technology powers several of the world’s most ambitious projects in desert areas.

One of them is Mohammed Bin Rashid District One:

  • It will feature what will be the world’s largest crystalline lagoon, with approximately 70.6 acres of turquoise water and 14 km of shoreline for walking, water sports, and outdoor living.
  • The master plan spans approximately 1,238 acres and features villas, apartments, and extensive green areas situated in the heart of the desert.

The lagoon becomes the central amenity, replacing the traditional “golf + clubhouse” combo, and creates a year-round resort lifestyle with a much more efficient use of water.

A variety of oases

Citystars Sharm El Sheikh and Mohammed Bin Rashid District One are just two examples of Crystal Lagoons’ ability to transform an arid environment into a refreshing setting through crystalline lagoons with turquoise waters.

Among the other projects that the multinational innovation company has in MENA are:

In the United Arab Emirates

  • Riviera. In the same MBR City, the Riviera project by Azizi Developments emulates life on the French Riviera, featuring a 32-acre lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, which runs through the entire development from end to end.
  • Azizi Venice, located in Dubai South, is envisioned as a 336-acre community centered around a large crystalline lagoon, featuring a Venetian-inspired design, a floating opera house, and a climate-controlled boulevard.
  • Tilal Al Ghaf is a master plan spanning over 3 million m² in Dubai, with its heart comprising a monumental crystalline lagoon of approximately 70,000 m² and 400 meters of white-sand beach.

In Egypt:

  • SwanLake North Coast: combines three lagoons totaling 12.87 acres of crystalline water, integrating 950 high-standard residences across 207 acres on the Mediterranean coast.
  • SwanLake El Gouna: is developed around a 3.6-acre lagoon, featuring white-sand beaches, an 18-hole golf course, solar panels, and extensive green areas, which strengthen the eco-friendly profile of El Gouna, known as the “Venice of the Red Sea.”
  • Azha Ain Sokhna features two Crystal Lagoons® amenities in a project situated between the mountains and the Red Sea coast, offering a comprehensive lifestyle with a clubhouse, spa, gym, and diverse dining options.
  • Il Monte Galala is home to the world’s first crystalline lagoon located at the summit of a mountain, offering simultaneous views of the Red Sea and the surrounding mountain range. It has been recognized with international awards.
  • Fouka Bay is a development of around 1 million m², divided into 12 islands with approximately 24.3 acres of crystalline lagoons and 7 km of white-sand beaches.

Key benefits for developers in arid zones

Implementing a Crystal Lagoons® amenity in the Middle East offers concrete advantages for those developing in the desert or in water-stressed environments:

  1. Competitive differentiation and brand positioning
  • Transform a desert site into a destination resort with world-class urban beaches.
  • Associate the project’s brand with an iconic amenity recognized globally.
  1. Faster sales and higher value per m²
  • Cases like Tilal Al Ghaf show entire phases sold out in a matter of days and strong price increases for lagoon-front units.
  • Projects in MBR City, such as District One and Riviera, have experienced very high international demand and record-breaking sales, thanks to the lagoon serving as the central amenity.
  1. Sustainability and ESG compliance
  • Optimized use of water and energy compared to amenities such as golf courses or large parks.
  • Lower chemical footprint and remote, real-time monitoring of water quality.

Crystal Lagoons® technology has removed the word “impossible” from the vocabulary of developers in arid zones. It’s no longer just about building homes in the desert; it’s about building unparalleled lifestyles. By combining unprecedented aesthetic beauty with rigorous, proven sustainability, crystalline lagoons become the master key to unlocking the potential of the most challenging land on the planet, turning sand into real estate gold.

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Crystal Lagoons® Project in Spain Wins European Property Awards for the Fifth Consecutive Year

Santa Rosalía Lake and Life Resort, whose centerpiece is a vast crystalline lagoon, is consolidating its position as the “Best Resort in Spain” and rising to the top in Europe for the fifth year in a row.

The Santa Rosalía Lake and Life Resort project, on Murcia’s Costa Cálida, has become a benchmark for developers seeking to combine innovation, cutting-edge architecture, and high-impact amenities. The complex, anchored by a lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology, has just received new recognition at the European Property Awards in the categories of Best Resort in Spain and Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Spain.

However, the most significant milestone came after this initial victory. By winning in Spain, the project automatically advanced to the European finals, where it was recently announced as the winner of Best Mixed-Use Architecture across all of Europe.

In the latest edition of the prestigious European Property Awards, one of the most renowned competitions in the industry, which this year attracted more than 3,000 participants, the development located in the Region of Murcia not only swept the national level but also confirmed its leadership on a continental scale.

This recognition is not an isolated event. For five consecutive years, Santa Rosalía has been honored at these awards, consistently validating a real estate business model that integrates the revolutionary technology of Crystal Lagoons® as its centerpiece. The awards ceremony will take place on January 16 at the iconic Savoy Hotel in London, a stage where Europe’s real estate excellence is celebrated.

Santa Rosalía: An Oasis Redefining the Resort Concept

What makes Santa Rosalía stand out from thousands of competitors year after year? The answer lies in its bold value proposition: bringing beach life to the heart of the Costa Cálida.

The complex is a real estate development located in Torre Pacheco, Murcia, just minutes from the Mediterranean Sea and the Mar Menor. It is the largest project of Crystal Lagoons in Europe, featuring a crystalline lagoon of approximately 4 acres surrounded by white sand beaches, green areas, and more than 2,000 high-standard apartments, bungalows, and villas.

This lagoon is not just a landscape feature; it is a functional and sustainable amenity that offers:

  • A large-scale crystalline lagoon suitable for swimming and water sports
  • More than 8,000 m² of beaches with white sand and palm trees
  • Inner islands, a beach club, sports areas, and dining spaces
  • A mixed-use masterplan that integrates housing, leisure, and services

The development’s architecture, now recognized as the best in Europe, blends organically with this body of water, ensuring that both residential units and commercial areas enjoy views of and proximity to this man-made paradise.

Likewise, international media and industry players have described the project as the “Caribbean in the Mediterranean,” highlighting its exclusive character, sustainable approach, and strong appeal for both local and international buyers.

European Property Awards: Why This Recognition Matters to Developers

The European Property Awards, part of the International Property Awards, are one of the most prestigious award programs in the global real estate sector. They evaluate projects in Europe based on criteria such as:

  • Architectural and urban design
  • Construction quality and functionality
  • Innovation and amenity offering
  • Sustainability, social impact, and commercial value

In this context, Santa Rosalía has been recognized as:

  • Best Resort in Spain
  • Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Spain
  • And subsequently, Best Mixed-Use Architecture in Europe 

Represents a resounding validation of the development model that places Crystal Lagoons® amenities at the heart of the project.

For investors and developers, this is a highly relevant reputational KPI: the combination of award-winning architecture, distinctive amenities, and proven sustainability enhances the project’s brand value and strengthens its long-term commercial appeal.

The “Crystal Lagoons Effect”: The Key to Real Estate Success

For real estate developers, the case of Santa Rosalía is empirical proof of the return on investment and prestige generated by incorporating a crystalline lagoon.

The European Property Awards recognize not only aesthetics, but also innovation, sustainability, and the quality of the environment created. In the case of Santa Rosalía, the lagoon is not just an aesthetic feature:

  • It structures the mixed-use architecture, organizing housing, leisure, sports, and services around the water
  • It creates an ideal setting for activities such as swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, and other water sports in a safe environment
  • It increases the value per square meter, both residential and commercial, by transforming an inland plot into a true waterfront location

Whether in an exclusive resort or in a development community-open , the ability of Crystal Lagoons to create an authentic beach life in the city or in inland areas is unique and remains the most powerful amenity in today’s real estate market.

In an increasingly competitive market, the new awards for Santa Rosalía send a clear message: Crystal Lagoons’ amenities not only transform the landscape, but also redefine the standard of excellence for the real estate and amenities projects of the future.

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Public Access Lagoons® Projects: Urban Beaches Revolutionizing City Life

PAL projects are redefining the urban landscape and the real estate industry, bringing beach life into the city, wherever it may be, with a profitable and sustainable model.

The world is urbanizing at a rapid pace, yet the desire for crystalline water, white sand, and beach life in the city is growing more than ever. In this context, Urban Beaches with turquoise lagoons have become one of the most disruptive amenities for real estate, hospitality, and retail developers, as well as for the general public.

Crystal Lagoons’ public access projects, known as Public Access Lagoons® developments, also known as PAL® developments, make it possible to bring the experience of a beach destination to previously unthinkable locations: urban centers, inland areas, underutilized land, or commercial assets undergoing transformation.

For developers, this means transforming any piece of land into a massive meeting point, with multiple revenue streams and a value proposition built on innovation, sustainability, and high demand.

What are Urban Beaches and PAL® projects?

Urban Beaches are developments that recreate the experience of a beach resort in the heart of an urban environment or in inland locations. In the case of PAL® complexes, the heart of the project is a large-scale crystalline lagoon surrounded by:

  • • White sand beaches
  • • Green areas, terraces, and rest areas
  • • Water sports and recreation areas
  • • Commercial, gastronomic, and entertainment infrastructure

Public Access Lagoons® projects are structured as open-access destinations through tickets, day passes, or memberships, where anyone can enjoy city beach life without needing to travel to the coast. This model redefines the concept of entertainment, tourism, and urban development, creating new hubs of attraction and regenerating underutilized areas.

How does the PAL® model work?

An entertainment ecosystem built around water

PAL® projects are conceived as experience “hubs”, where the crystalline lagoon is the anchor that brings together more than 125 possible activities, both in the water and around it: motorized and non-motorized water sports, inflatable parks, fairs, dinners, weddings, beach parties, concerts, flowboarding, quadrofoil, cable parks, paddleboard yoga, water slides, cliff jumping, video mapping shows, aquatic light shows, water curtain animation, open-air cinema, corporate events, floating cabanas, and more.

Around the lagoon, the master plan may include:

  • Shopping boulevards
  • Restaurants and bars overlooking the water
  • Venues for events and shows
  • Coworking areas, conference rooms, and spaces for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions (MICE)
  • Family attractions (inflatable parks, games, etc.)

Multiple revenue streams for developers

Public access projects do not rely solely on the sale or rental of units; instead, they often involve additional funding sources. The lagoon triggers a series of revenue streams, including:

  • Sale of day tickets and seasonal passes
  • Annual or corporate memberships
  • Equipment rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, etc.)
  • Food & beverage and retail consumption
  • Rental of spaces for events, concerts, and brand activations
  • Sponsorships and commercial agreements with brands

This diversification turns Urban Beaches based on the PAL® model into resilient assets, capable of operating year-round and maintaining their appeal even outside the traditional high season.

Beach life in the city powered by sustainable technology

One of the main competitive advantages of PAL® lagoons is their technological foundation. The lagoons use a patented treatment system that:

  • Uses up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course
  • Consumes around 40% less water than a park of the same size
  • Operates in a closed circuit, mainly replenishing the water lost through evaporation
  • Uses up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool
  • Requires only 2% of the energy of conventional filtration systems

These results have been certified by international organizations, such as Bureau Veritas, which reinforces the credibility of the solution at the ESG level. For investors and operators, this translates into:

  • Competitive OPEX, thanks to lower water, energy, and chemical consumption
  • Improved sustainability indicators and regulatory compliance
  • An environmental innovation narrative that aligns with the demands of cities and communities

In other words, Crystal Lagoons’ public access projects combine city beach life with an environmental performance that clearly sets them apart from traditional aquatic leisure alternatives.

Beach life in the city powered by sustainable technology

One of the main competitive advantages of PAL® lagoons is their technological foundation. The lagoons use a patented treatment system that:

  • Uses up to 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course
  • Consumes around 40% less water than a park of the same size
  • Operates in a closed circuit, mainly replenishing the water lost through evaporation
  • Uses up to 100 times fewer chemicals than a traditional swimming pool
  • Requires only 2% of the energy of conventional filtration systems

These results have been certified by international organizations, such as Bureau Veritas, which reinforces the credibility of the solution at the ESG level. For investors and operators, this translates into:

  • Competitive OPEX, thanks to lower water, energy, and chemical consumption
  • Improved sustainability indicators and regulatory compliance
  • An environmental innovation narrative that aligns with the demands of cities and communities

In other words, Crystal Lagoons’ public access projects combine city beach life with an environmental performance that clearly sets them apart from traditional aquatic leisure alternatives.

Benefits for developers and operators

For those leading real estate, retail, or hospitality projects, Urban Beaches with public access lagoons deliver tangible benefits:

  1. Greater attraction and visitor flow
  • They significantly increase foot traffic to shopping centers and service hubs.
  • They extend visitors’ dwell time, boosting spending in food & beverage, as well as retail.
  • They turn traditional assets (malls, outlets, event centers) into full-day entertainment destinations.
  1. Land value uplift and asset reconversion
  • They transform inland plots into genuine waterfront locations.
  • They revalue deteriorated or underutilized areas, enabling urban regeneration projects.
  • They allow existing assets to be repositioned, giving them a second life as flagship Urban Beaches.
  1. New business models and resilience
  • Revenue is not limited to traditional real estate; tickets, memberships, events, and sponsorships complement it.
  • They reduce seasonality in demand through year-round programming of events, sports, and wellness experiences.
  • They improve cash flow stability by combining local audiences, tourists, and corporate clients.

Typical applications of PAL® projects of Crystal Lagoons 

Developers can integrate the PAL® model into different types of projects:

Shopping centers and “shopping resorts”

  • Malls that are transformed into entertainment destinations with Urban Beaches.
  • Increase in visits, sales per square meter, and competitiveness against e-commerce.

Mixed-use urban developments

  • Projects that combine housing, offices, hotels, and retail around public access lagoons.
  • Creation of new leisure and business districts in consolidated or expanding cities.

Tourism and second-home projects

  • Destinations that complement hotel offerings with a year-round calendar of aquatic activities, events, and experiences.
  • Increase in average length of stay and visitor spending.

Conversion of industrial or underutilized land

  • Former industrial, logistics, or peripheral areas that are transformed into public access projects anchored by a crystalline lagoon.
  • Urban regeneration with a positive impact on property values and local quality of life.

From the city to the beach: an opportunity for the next great destination

PAL® developments have demonstrated that the beach is no longer a privilege reserved for coastal areas: today, it is possible to offer beach life in the city in virtually any location worldwide, with a sustainable, scalable, and highly profitable model.

For real estate developers and amenity operators, Urban Beaches with public access lagoons represent:

  • A new category of urban destination
  • An asset that generates multiple revenue streams
  • A powerful differentiator in terms of brand and experience

Ultimately, the Public Access Lagoons® projects by Crystal Lagoons allow city dwellers to reach the beach in minutes, while offering investors a solid platform to capture long-term value by combining innovation, sustainability, and an amenity that people choose, enjoy, and remember.

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