Media highlight the added value of Crystal Lagoons® technology

“Crystal Lagoons® technology in a real estate project creates a new standard in this industry, transforming the urban landscape by creating stunning turquoise waters with idyllic beaches”. Thus begins a report dedicated to the multinational innovation company in Construction Review, one of the main specialized portals in the Middle East.

According to the media, Africa is a continent with a lot of potential for Crystal Lagoons due to the great growth of its middle class, young population, increasing per capita income and increasing urbanization. In the next 30 years its population will increase by about 1 billion, with 80% in cities.

Therefore, the development of infrastructure and new sustainable and technological urban hubs is intensive. Additionally, it is a continent with many landlocked, Mediterranean areas and some of its coasts are cold and dangerous.

This demographic growth allows the firm to plan important projections for Crystal Lagoons, since their technology responds to these problems, offering quality of life to a growing population. Their large bodies of turquoise water and idyllic beaches offer the possibility of swimming and water sports in a safe environment and allow us to develop projects on inland terrain, far from the coast, and generally considered of low tourist and real estate value.

Crystal lagoons currently has offices worldwide: USA (Miami), Holland (Amsterdam), Chile (Santiago), United Arab Emirates (Dubai) and Egypt (Cairo).

African Footprint

South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Angola are some of the African countries where Crystal Lagoons has real estate and public access projects, Public Access Lagoons also known as PAL™, in various stages of planning, design, construction or operation.

The most important market for Crystal Lagoons in Africa is Egypt with over 20 projects in different stages. In fact, one of the world’s largest crystalline lagoon (12.5 hectares) is in the Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh, while Bo Island, Swan Lake and Porto Golf will open in the coming months.

The second key market is South Africa, where the partnership with leading local real estate developer Balwin Properties has been tremendously successful and includes six real estate projects.

The newest residential project is Munyaka, an ultra-luxury complex was praised by the President of the Republic, Cyril Ramaphosa, who noted that Munyaka “will give life to the South Africa that we long for, promoting its economy through infrastructure. This is a magical place, as I see the lagoon going to be created and open spaces, I say, this is how you created great communities.”

In parallel, the development also conquered buyers, as 550 apartments were sold in just four days.

In the area of ​​Public Access Lagoons™, there are numerous master agreements currently in negotiation in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and Angola, the most important one in South Africa, will include eight PAL in different cities spotted around the country.

The unique aspects of their products

Crystal Lagoons® technology, patented in 190 countries, is unique in the world and allows the development of large bodies of water in a crystalline state, at a low cost of construction and maintenance. It is sustainable, so it can be used anywhere in the world, including in Africa, where water is a critical resource.

In fact, these lagoons are filled only once and operate on a closed-circuit, using 30 times less water than a golf course and half that of a park of the same dimensions. They can use any type of water: fresh, sea or brackish from underground sources which would otherwise have no alternative use. Additionally, they allow to collect rainwater.

Advice to potential customers

Incorporating a crystalline lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons technology in a real estate project creates a new standard in real estate, transforming the urban landscape by creating stunning turquoise waters with idyllic beaches.

They also add value to both the real estate developer and the end user. It increases the speed at which they are sale exponentially and substantially increase the value of constructions per square meter. As an example, South African developer Balwin Properties has experienced the “lagoon effect” twice, a trend that is repeated around the world.

As for Public Access Lagoons, they revitalize unused spaces, neglected areas and enhance environments. They are of high impact as they allow millions of people to fulfill their dream of living just steps from paradise-like beaches. It is estimated that attendance to these complexes is between 800 thousand and one million people a year.

The expansion of PAL™ is rapidly growing, since they can widely used by large numbers of people, require very low investment and offer a very short-term recovery.

They combine attractive services such as restaurants, beach clubs, water sports, retail stores, amphitheaters and a wide range of recreational and cultural activities, such as concerts, shows, open-air cinema and much more.

The success of these lagoons in all markets has generated huge expectations. Currently, Crystal Lagoons has advanced negotiations with local operators from different markets.

Construction Review

Latest News

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