Crystal Lagoons Will Develop PAL™ Projects in Europe

The destinations of the new Public Access Lagoons™ projects, also known as PAL™ developments, by Crystal Lagoons will be Mediterranean European cities, not very extensive in surface and with very severe climates.

These are Prague, Warsaw, Bucharest and Budapest, the capitals of the Czech Republic, Poland, Romania and Hungary, respectively. These historic cities of high urban, cultural and tourist value worldwide will add an attribute that would have been unthinkable before now: beach life that revolutionizes the experience and quality of life of their inhabitants thanks to the PAL™ projects.

This new contract, in partnership with Romanian developer Forty Management, shows that PAL™ developments are valued by all types of urban lifestyles, even in cities of diverse geographical dimensions and adverse climatic conditions. With the new Hot Reef™ technology it is also possible to create heated bathing areas.

Anyone can access the lagoon and white sandy beaches of the PAL™ complexes upon purchase of a ticket and thus experience a tropical paradise just meters from your doorstep. Around the lagoon, there are private residential areas, hotels, stores, restaurants and other infrastructure that transforms these locations into the most beautiful places in the city.

These large bodies of crystalline water can revitalize urban areas in countries with a more reserved, urban culture but where environmental protection is highly valued. Indeed, the environmentally friendly nature of Crystal Lagoons’ technology was key to sealing these contracts that aim for high standards in carbon neutrality. PAL™ projects are valued for their promise of reducing the global carbon footprint by over 40% (14 million tons of CO2 per year) through the reduction of travel to coastal destinations by about 50%.

These Eastern European projects will be ultra-luxury and offer high-end entertainment. The first projects will be developed in Romania, north of Bucharest, and are due to start construction in the second quarter of 2022. Surrounding the lagoon will be a 5-star hotel with 300 rooms, 300 luxury apartments for rent, office and commercial space, and other services such as restaurants, cinemas, educational centers, retailers, trade fair venues, outdoor terraces and other attractions.

“The man-made lagoon is the centerpiece of the project, not only because it will bring idyllic beach life to the city, but also because it is sustainable and meets our goal of achieving carbon neutrality. We believe in quality of life. It is easy build something out of bricks and stones, but it is difficult to breathe life into a project, to give it a soul that helps create unique moments and joyful experiences,” said Lucian Azoitei, founder and CEO of Forty Management, an award-winning Romanian property developer renowned for its green real estate and urban reconversion projects.

“Around the world and particularly in Europe, PAL™ projects are becoming increasingly attractive because of their disruptive innovation that brings a piece of the ocean to their cities. This phenomenon is similar to what happened in England 200 years ago, when London brought a piece of the forest to the city by introducing the first urban parks,” said Francisco Matte, Crystal Lagoons’ regional director for Europe.

In the same way, Crystal Lagoons is expanding steadily throughout Europe and is in advanced negotiations in Italy (Milan, Verona, Rome and Naples), Ukraine, Portugal, Greece and Georgia. The company has active operations in Turkey and Spain. The latter market has the most advanced projects in Costa del Sol, Murcia, while there is an upcoming PAL™ development on the outskirts of Madrid as well as upcoming contracts under negotiation.

The PAL™ model has attracted the interest of important players worldwide, with contracts of note in the United States (16 PAL™ developments in partnership with Epic and Mattel and 5 with ADËLON in Orlando), South Korea (30 PAL™ projects in partnership with NexPlan), Pakistan (15 PAL™ developments in partnership with Ary Group) and Central America (18 PAL™ developments with successful entrepreneurs in the region).

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2024 has been a record year for Crystal Lagoons in Egypt, with 45 projects at different stages of development and negotiations. The multinational innovation company, founded by scientist Fernando Fischmann, has secured new projects, consolidating its presence in the country, the company’s largest market in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.

On the country’s North Coast, Sodic, Madaar Development, and Q Developments have completed major second home projects, including Caesar Bay, Azha North Lagoon, and Q North.

In addition, Crystal Lagoons is in advanced negotiations to develop Public Access Lagoons® projects, also known as PAL® complexes, accessible to all through ticketed entry, and are set to revolutionize city lifestyles and bring beach life to the doorsteps of Egyptian households.

Crystal Lagoons projects add value by enabling the development of second-line beach projects on the North Coast and the Red Sea as well as in Cairo, which can take advantage of the good climate the region enjoys all year round,” said Miguel Angel Cabañas, regional director of Crystal Lagoons.

The most unique projects in Egypt include Citystars Sharm El Sheikh and Azha Ain Sokhna, the largest lagoons in the country, measuring 11.3 ha., and 11.97 ha., respectively.

Columbia, the capital of South Carolina, a city without a coastline, will now have an idyllic beach life thanks to the first project signed by Crystal Lagoons in this state. This new operation adds another chapter to the success story in the United States of this multinational innovation company founded by the scientist Fernando Fischmann. The US is the company’s main market worldwide, with more than 275 projects at different development and negotiation stages.

The project will feature a 4.8-acre crystalline lagoon surrounded by white sandy beaches. It will have a private area reserved for residences and tourists staying at a luxury hotel, confirming the impact on the hospitality industry of Crystal Lagoons. On the other hand, it will have a public access area, accessible to all through ticketed entry, which will have all the features of the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments. For this reason, it will be a hybrid complex equipped with extensive commercial, entertainment, and sports infrastructure, as well as terraces, restaurants, parks, a wedding peninsula, a children’s area, and other amenities.

The project, called Oak Hills, forms part of an agreement with Contender Development, Broadstreet, Inc., and Blue Lagoon Development LLC. to develop four complexes in the state.

“The Crystal Lagoons® at Oak Hills will provide exceptional, safe and enjoyable recreational spaces for all ages. We’re excited to create a destination that will not only enhance the quality of life for residents but also become a focal point for the entire region”, says Joseph Baldassarra, president of Broadstreet.

“PAL® developments and Crystal Lagoons® technology have become very attractive projects worldwide, so we are confident that this complex will be a success”, explains Ivan Manzur, Senior VP of Sales, Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

PAL® projects are environmentally friendly as they reduce the carbon footprint of tourism and transportation by more than 40%, reducing travel to coastal destinations by around 50%. In addition, they also offer event venues with unparalleled scenic beauty.

Crystal Lagoons is revolutionizing the global shopping mall industry with its disruptive technology, which integrates leisure, retail, and idyllic beach life in one place. Its new project in ColombiaKristal Mall, is the largest shopping mall in the Colombian Caribbean and the country’s first Shopping Resort. It blends entertainment and shopping around a monumental 5.3-acre crystalline lagoon with turquoise waters as its centerpiece. This innovative project addresses the global challenge of reinventing malls, transforming them into multifunctional destinations that attract a new generation of visitors.

Located in Cartagena de Indias, Kristal Mall spans 296 hectares and features a leasable area of 110,000 m². Powered by Crystal Lagoons in association with AED and Arquitectura & Concreto, this cutting-edge complex will offer a wide range of amenities, including high-end stores, restaurants, terraces, a cinema, an amusement park, a 150-room hotel, offices, apartments, healthcare centers, and an event venue designed for weddings, concerts, and large-scale shows.

Its main attraction will be the crystalline lagoon, developed under the Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments. The lagoon will bring the tropical beach lifestyle to this tourist city, which historically lacked high-quality beaches. Visitors can enjoy various aquatic activities, such as swimming, paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, and more, redefining the region’s commercial and entertainment landscape.

PAL® developments, accessible to the public through a ticketed entry, stand out for their versatility. They are ideal venues for mass events such as concerts, fairs, exhibitions, and weddings. Their unparalleled scenic beauty is highlighted by monumental crystalline turquoise water lagoons, which light up at night to create a magical atmosphere. Infrastructure such as theaters, terraces, domes, and climate-controlled esplanades ensures year-round events, regardless of the season.

Kristal Mall is part of one of Latin America’s most extensive agreements between Crystal Lagoons and AED, a leading Colombian real estate company. This strategic agreement includes 11 projects in key regions such as the Eje Cafetero, the Andean Region, and the metropolitan area of Bogotá.

América Retail & Malls