First man-made, tropical lagoon in Texas previewed

Houston — Hundreds of Houston’s top real estate executives, homebuilders, local officials and others — including swimming champion and Crystal Lagoons Global Ambassador Michael Phelps — were on hand to celebrate the first man-made, tropical lagoon in Texas during a special preview Aug. 23 in Humble’s Balmoral community.

The two-acre turquoise lagoon — part of a $13 million, 8-acre Amenity Village — will open soon and will again be previewed during special resident activities Sept. 1-3. It is the second Crystal Lagoons amenity to open in the United States and one of 21 that are in development. More than 60 other lagoon projects are in active negotiations.

“We are thrilled to bring a beach lifestyle to Balmoral and to introduce this Crystal Lagoons amenity to the state of Texas,” said Al Brende, owner and co-founder of Land Tejas, developer of Balmoral. “It’s going to reshape the expectations of homebuyers here in Houston and throughout the nation.”

The Balmoral lagoon, which employs a patented, high-tech process allowing for use of 100 times fewer chemicals and 50 times less energy than a traditional pool, is up to 8 feet deep and the size of almost two football fields, or more than six Olympic swimming pools. It also features a kids’ cove and two different white sand beaches, including a family beach with cabanas and lounge chairs, and a serenity beach that offers beach volleyball.

Overlooking the lagoon is an infinity-edge pool. Other amenities at the complex include a food truck courtyard, hammock park, playground and splash pad. A 7,500-square-foot clubhouse anchors the complex, offering well-appointed event space, a broad, pool-side veranda and a fitness center.

“Our lagoons have revolutionized multiple real estate segments around the world and are now doing so in residential and resort communities across the U.S.,” said Kevin P. Morgan, executive vice president of Crystal Lagoons U.S. Corp. “Texas will ultimately be the largest real estate market for the company and currently is one of many trend-setting states rapidly embracing and deploying our new Public Access Lagoons across multiple segments such as retail, public parks, golf courses and vacant land.”