Real Estate Rankings in the US: Crystal Lagoons Projects Among the Top-selling in 2023

15/02/2024

Around the world, the concept and technology of Crystal Lagoons® have become the leading sales attraction, positively impacting its commercial success. Particularly in the United States, despite the credit and real estate challenges in the current economic conditions, Crystal Lagoons projects continue to defy the market with very impressive sales figures. The rankings from real estate consulting firms RCLCO and John Burns on the best-selling master-planned communities once again demonstrated that crystalline lagoons are a powerful purchasing driver. Sunterra, Mirada, Windsong Ranch and Epperson secured prominent positions in 2023.

These projects ranked among the top 50 best-selling communities. Within the list, Florida leads the ranking, representing close to 40% of the sales for all top-ranked developments, followed by Texas with 37%. In both states, Crystal Lagoons has a significant presence.

In Texas, Sunterra stands out as a project that, even though the crystalline lagoon has not been built yet, serves as a commercial driver within the community, generating sales rates higher than the average, with a significant increase of 63% compared to 2022. This placed it 3rd nationally in both rankings, further boosting the strong performance of Houston, the top-selling metropolitan area in the country. Sunterra’s positive sales results had already been recorded in previous reports.

The Mirada project in Florida, with the largest amenity powered by Crystal Lagoons technology® in the United States, inaugurated in 2023, sets another record. With an 89% increase in sales, it ranks 17th. Its 15-acre of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches are a buying trigger.

Another notable project in Texas is Windsong Ranch, which has consistently set sales records, ranking 29th in the John Burns ranking. The project has also been nationally awarded as “Master Planned Community of the Year,” among other recognitions.

On the other hand, Epperson in Florida also ranked prominently in both studies, a commercial trend that has been registered since it was inaugurated as a real estate project. The interest it generated was so significant that it had to be opened to the Public Access Lagoons™ model, also known as PAL™ developments.

The United States is the main operation of Crystal Lagoons worldwide with more than 275 projects at different stages of development and negotiation. Among the most important are Mirada, Sole Mia, Balmoral, Windsong Ranch, Beachwalk, Southshore Bay, Aqua, among others. The recent joint venture to develop four Public Access Lagoons™ complexes, also known as PAL™, in Texas, stands out and will add to the successful public access developments Epperson (Florida) and Lago Mar (Texas).

RCLCO

Crystal Lagoons Expands in Brazil with 10 New Projects

The signing of a new Master Agreement with Ecipsa Group, Argentina’s leading residential developer, to develop 10 new projects in Brazil reflects the powerful expansion of Crystal Lagoons in Latin America’s largest economy and one of the world’s top ten. With this agreement, the multinational water innovation company now has 55 projects at various stages of development and negotiation in the country.

These developments will transform Brazilian cities, bringing the idyllic beach lifestyle with monumental crystalline lagoons surrounded by white sandy beaches suitable for swimming and water sports. The projects will allow residents and visitors to enjoy the tropical lifestyle year-round, redefining the nautical experience and providing a safe, natural environment for various activities such as swimming, sailing, paddle surfing, and kayaking.

This Master Agreement is the second Crystal Lagoons to sign with Ecipsa in Brazil, following the success of the first agreement focused on developing real estate, hybrid, and Public Access Lagoons®, also known as PAL® development, projects in the state of São Paulo, the country’s most important region, whose capital is the fourth-largest city in the world.

Brazil, one of Crystal Lagoons strategic markets in Latin America, has witnessed sustained growth in alliance with leading local developers. Among the most emblematic projects are “Brasil Beach Cuiabá Home & Resort,” in Mato Grosso, where the country’s first crystalline lagoon is located, and the luxurious second-home complex “Ponta da Figueira,” developed in collaboration with Melnick-Even, one of Brazil’s most prominent real estate developers.

PAL® complexes stand out for their versatility and are ideal settings for significant events such as concerts, fairs, exhibitions, and weddings. They offer unparalleled scenic beauty thanks to their monumental crystalline lagoons with turquoise waters, illuminated at night to create a magical atmosphere. The projects can also incorporate Eco-Heated Lagoons technology, which allows lagoons to be heated without energy so they can be used year-round, even at night.

17-12-2024

Crystal Lagoons drives the transformation of the entertainment industry with its Public Access Lagoons® model, also known as PAL® developments, which once again took center stage at IAAPA Water Park Week, the premier global entertainment industry fair. Organized by the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA), this event brought together over 1,000 exhibitors from 100 countries, including real estate developers, resort operators, theme and water park managers, architects, and other industry leaders, all eager to explore the most innovative trends, highlighting the incorporation of crystalline lagoons and water parks into hotels, resorts, and residential spaces.

The multinational was invited to showcase the impact of its revolutionary PAL® model, which redefines entertainment destinations by bringing an idyllic beach lifestyle steps away from homes in the middle of the city. These developments, accessible to all through ticketed entry, also provide ideal spaces for large-scale events with unparalleled scenic beauty, such as concerts, exhibitions, and weddings. They are surrounded by a monumental turquoise-water crystalline lagoon, white sandy beaches, and leisure-oriented infrastructure that lights up at night, creating a magical and unique atmosphere.

A standout example is Evermore Orlando Resort, just steps from Disney World and Universal Studios, which received the Best of Meetings Today Awards 2024. This accolade, highlighting the best global destinations for events and tourism, recognized Evermore’s ability to transform Orlando’s entertainment offerings, solidifying its status as an industry icon. Additionally, it served as the venue for IAAPA’s annual directors’ dinner, underscoring its significance within the sector.

“Participation in IAAPA Expo reaffirms the value of PAL® complexes, which not only bring the beach experience anywhere but also enhance the profitability of amusement parks, malls, and other destinations by attracting thousands of visitors with cultural, entertainment, and service activities,” said Iván Manzur, Senior Vice President of Sales at Crystal Lagoons US Corp.

Beyond its impact on the entertainment industry, PAL® projects are recognized for their eco-friendly approach. An average one-hectare lagoon consumes 40% less water than a park or green area of the same size, 33 times less water than an 18-hole golf course, and can use any type of water. Crystal Lagoons® amenities consume only 2% of the energy required by conventional pool filtration systems and use up to 100 times less chemicals than a traditional swimming pool.

Crystal Lagoons continues to push the boundaries of innovation by developing new high-impact technologies. The company opened a new area of innovation focused on enabling sustainable cooling for data centers while climate-controlling monumental crystalline lagoons. These lagoons will feature conventional beach zones and heated areas, reaching temperatures of up to 35°C, ensuring their use year-round, even on the coldest nights.

09-12-2024

Crystal Lagoons Project in Orlando Wins “Best of Meetings Today Awards 2024”

The Crystal Lagoons project in the United States, Evermore Orlando Resort, in the heart of Orlando, has been awarded the prestigious Best of Meetings Today Awards 2024. This recognition, granted by the influential magazine Meetings Today, honors the most outstanding global events and hospitality destinations, highlighting their ability to provide unique and memorable experiences that redefine industry standards. Strategically situated just steps from Disney World and Universal Studios, Evermore Orlando Resort has established itself as an iconic project in the most visited destination in the United States, which attracts over 75 million tourists annually.

This complex, one of Florida’s largest and most innovative tourism developments, owes its success to the monumental 8-acre crystalline lagoon powered by Crystal Lagoons® technology. This amenity has revolutionized Orlando’s tourism and corporate offerings. With its white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, the lagoon creates a paradisiacal environment, offering an unprecedented idyllic beach lifestyle. It has become a strategic venue for hosting meetings, conventions, and special events.

The Best of Meetings Today Awards highlights how Crystal Lagoons amenity is transforming the events, hospitality, and entertainment industries by combining aesthetic beauty, functionality, and sustainability, setting a new standard for destinations of this kind. The crystalline lagoon serves as a multifunctional hub, offering recreational activities such as swimming, kayaking, paddleboarding, and windsurfing, allowing visitors to enjoy a tropical beach lifestyle in the heart of Orlando. At the same time, it incorporates spaces specifically designed for business and events.

Surrounding the lagoon is Orlando’s first Conrad hotel, a luxury brand of the Hilton chain, with more than 10,000 rooms and various homes, villas, and apartments. In addition, there is an 18-hole golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, one of the greatest golfers in history.