Up-and-coming master-planned community feature gives land-locked homes water-front appeal

Up-and-coming master-planned community feature gives land-locked homes water-front appeal

Billed in some quarters as the next great amenity, the first two Crystal Lagoons in the U.S. have opened in Florida — and home buyers are flocking to them.

Florida’s Pioneering Lagoons

At the 2,000-home Epperson community in Wesley Chapel, Fla., near Tampa, a nearly eight-acre lagoon serves as the focal point of the project. Features include:

• Private sandy beaches
• Swim-up bar and grotto
• Kayak launch

The second lagoon, located at The Beachwalk in St. Augustine, spans 14 acres and anchors a 1,000-house development. This waterfront village includes:

• A private club
• White sandy beaches
• Recreational water sports facilities

Technology Transforming Real Estate

Crystal Lagoons, a Miami-based company, specializes in creating turquoise-clear bodies of water at a low cost. The technology enables:

• Unlimited size and shape customization
• Use of saltwater, brackish water, or freshwater
• Advanced filtration systems with 400+ IoT-connected sensors

“This is an amenity that has the power to change the real estate paradigm. It can transform any location into an idyllic beach paradise.”

Economic Impact and Buyer Demand

Developers report significant premiums for lagoon-adjacent properties:

• Home prices at Epperson surged 21% over seven months, doubling competitors’ sales rates.
• Builders at The Beachwalk achieved higher lot prices due to accelerated absorption rates.

Global Expansion and Sustainability

With over 600 projects worldwide, Crystal Lagoons emphasizes eco-friendly practices:

• Uses 30x less water than golf courses
• Requires 1% of the chemicals used in traditional pools
• Patented UV-resistant liners designed to last 100+ years

A Global Phenomenon with Local Impact

Future projects include:

• A 90-acre lagoon in Dubai
• Las Vegas plans to convert a 38-acre golf course into a Caribbean-style beach
• An upcoming Houston location

“We are able to drive higher lot prices because builders know their absorption rates are going to be quicker and their prices are going to be higher.”

Innovation Born from Necessity

The concept originated in Chile, where biochemist Fernando Fischmann sought to transform a hazardous coastline into a safe, swimmable environment. Today, Crystal Lagoons’ patented technology is protected in 190 countries, with U.S. patents under the Green Technologies Fast Track Program.