p THE FOCUS crystal lagoons
Where Innovation, Sustainability and Technology Unite
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any of the world’s most beautiful cities lack that one essential thing that would make them grand: a beach, with inviting turquoise waters and powdery white sands. As much as we appreciate high-tech transport systems or admire the genius of those who have pierced the sky with visionary architectural wonders, nothing quite soothes the soul like the sight of the sea, a lake or a stream, which relaxes and soothes and is also the setting for a day full of fun – with swimming, kayaking, paddling activities helping us build treasured memories. Water is the essence of summer and when the lagoons freeze up, they make a near-perfect ice skating rink!
CHANGING THE FACE OF REAL ESTATE DEVELOPMENT Crystal Lagoons, a multi-national innovation, is a relatively new concept in Spain, yet one that is bound to change the face of leisure as we know it. Dreamed up in 1997 by awardwinning biochemist and entrepreneur, Fernando Fischmann, the groundbreaking technology is set to transform any location into a beach
paradise of unlimited size. The man-made lagoons house water that is ideal for swimming and water sports, bringing superb value to real estate developments. Currently, there are over 300 Crystal Lagoons in over 60 countries and the exciting news is that Europe’s first lagoon is being built in the Casares area. The project, Alcazaba Lagoon, will relaunch a real estate development in the area which was on hold for many years owing to less-than-promising sales figures. Across the globe, Crystal Lagoons has significantly increased the saleability and price of real estate developments, with its seemingly infinite grand lagoons that invite residents to avail of a unique leisure opportunity. Sebastián Pillado, Regional Director of Crystal Lagoons in Europe, reports that the Alcazaba Lagoon in Casares “has increased the sales velocity by over 250 per cent in the initial three months of sales to market, based on initial estimates per month.” The Alcazaba Lagoon resort, comprising 450 apartments (measuring 112m2) built over 74 acres of land in Casares, will mainly be marketed as a second home to European homeowners
from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands. Some 100 apartments have already been built, with a further 350 on the way. The new lagoon, built by Crystal Lagoons, will take up almost four acres of the development, offering homeowners the chance to enjoy all their favourite water sports. Crystal Lagoons has taken part in this project, which has required an investment of over €121 million, alongside investors from Chile. In addition to the Alcazaba project, Crystal Lagoons is currently negotiating more projects in Manilva, Málaga, Marbella, Murcia, Alicante, Valencia, Catalunya and Madrid. New projects are also being planned for a number of countries, including Portugal, France, Italy, Greece and Croatia. Cystal Lagoons’ headquarters are in Amsterdam, though they also have 13 offices and are present in all the continents. Says Sebastian, “Our technology has the capacity to completely transform a city or destination, and we dream to bring for the first time a beach into Spain’s capital city, Madrid, as it would have an enormous effect on improving people’s life quality. The same is true for Sevilla and other inland destinations within Spain and Europe in general.”
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