Featured on the chron.com • By Kaila Contreras, [email protected] • Updated 7:48 am, Monday, April 9, 2018
Construction is on schedule at the first Crystal Lagoon in the Greater Houston area. It will be located at Balmoral, a Land Tejas Community near the Summerwood and Fall Creek areas when it is completed this summer.
The Crystal Lagoon will be right in the center of Balmoral’s “Amenity Village,” an 8-acre area that will also have a 7,500 square foot clubhouse, fitness center, volleyball court, splash pad, playground, walking path, food truck area and a resort style pool with infinity edge.
The lagoon itself is 2 acres of land, which will be surrounded by white sand, and goes as deep as 8 feet, allowing residents to enjoy not only swimming but use kayaks and paddle boards.
“Land Tejas always strives to be on the cutting edge of offering our residents fun amenities, fun lifestyles,” said Tim Johnson, Land Tejas Director of Community Sales and Marketing. “When Crystal Lagoons came to us and presented us with this idea, the look, the feel, the touch, They took some of the Land Tejas team to (a lagoon) in Cabo that’s already in place. And after we saw it, it was a no brainer.”
Another feature Land Tejas is working on bringing to Balmoral residents are GreenBoLT golf carts they can use to traverse their community. Residents can use these electric golf carts on the 12-foot trail that is divided into lanes. Jeff Sheehan, Land Tejas Director of Community Affairs, said the amenity village is a $13 million project.
“The landscape will have a tropical feel to it. The deeper the water, the bluer the water becomes,” Sheehan said. “The next phase after these retaining walls are finished, we’ll come in move the liner and once the liner goes in, it’s white, we start putting water in it.”
According to the Crystal Lagoon’s website, their technology applies a pulse-based disinfection system that allows up to 100 times less chemicals to be used than in a swimming pool.
All of the lagoons using Crystal Lagoon technology worldwide are monitored, controlled and operated remotely through the Crystal Lagoons’ Control Center, in Florida.
Mechanical and hydraulic systems in the lagoons are also activated and controlled from the control center, for constant monitoring and operation of the lagoons to ensure excellent water quality.
Sheehan said they will get the water to fill the lagoon from the City of Humble, and Crystal Lagoon representatives will come out to Balmoral in a couple of weeks to test the water in the lagoon and put their chemicals in to make sure it’s up to their standards.
“We’re excited about the Crystal Lagoon project,” Johnson said. “We’re seeing how this one goes and we hope that we can bring more to Houston.”
Every year, the Houston Business Journal announces its list of projects it considers game changers in the field of residential real estate. This year, Land Tejas’ Balmoral community was included on that revered list.
The groundbreaking of a crystal clear lagoon in Balmoral was named one of eight finalists in the publication’s “2017 Deals of the Year: Residential Real Estate.” The project was picked because Land Tejas was the first Houston-area developer to ink the deal with Crystal Lagoons U.S. Corp. and the lagoon will be the first in the nation to open within a fully completed amenity center when the Balmoral crystal clear lagoon opens summer 2018.
Balmoral Amenities
The 2-acre Balmoral lagoon broke ground in October and will feature a Kid’s Cove and two beaches — a Family Beach with cabanas and lounge chairs, and a Serenity Beach for adults. The lagoon will anchor the development’s 8-acre, $10 million Amenity Village that includes an infinity-edge pool overlooking the lagoon, a food truck courtyard, hammock park, sand volleyball court, playground and splash pad. A 12-foot wide GreenBoLT trail system will enable residents to walk, bike or take electric golf carts and Segways to Balmoral amenities and points of interest.
Construction of Balmoral’s crystal clear lagoon is proceeding on schedule, with the filling of the lagoon anticipated to start spring 2018. Home sales in the community have been strong, reflecting the excitement surrounding the lagoon, which will be the first in Texas when it opens. Pricing in Balmoral is from the $190,000s.
Santa and snow are taking over Balmoral on Saturday, Dec. 9, and it’s going to be brrrr-illiant! The jolly old elf himself will be on hand from 10 a.m.-noon with 30,000 pounds of snow, an ice sculpting team, hot cocoa and more.
Bundle up the family and join us at 11930 Talman Run Dr. for some snow action and a holiday event with all the trimmings. In addition to cocoa, we will have a s’mores bar, cookie decorating and lots of festive crafts. DLG Ice Factory will be on hand demonstrating what it takes to turn a block of ice into cool art. Kids can take pictures with their favorite celebrity — Santa Claus — then drop off their holiday letter in his special mailbox (just as a follow up to their conversation). There will even be toys for all the girls and boys!
Don’t forget to take time out to warm up with tours of our five beautiful model homes. Our builders have decked their halls and have lots of holiday activities planned, including Christmas carolers to serenade you as you explore our unique community. The event is free, but those attending are asked to bring an unwrapped toy to donate to Toys for Tots.
Come chill with Santa all day and kick off a season of fun at Balmoral!
Thank you for joining us to celebrate the momentous groundbreaking of Houston’s 1st Crystal Lagoon Groundbreaking. VIPs, representatives of Land Tejas and Crystal Lagoons, Houston’s top homebuilders and many community leaders gathered in Balmoral on Oct 5. to kick off what will become Houston’s premier amenity. Everyone enjoyed a dynamic presentation, followed by a tour through Balmoral’s new Community Information Center and five beautiful new model homes. If you attended, thank you for diving in! If not, dive in now!
Dive into castle building at Balmoral during a grand opening celebration highlighted by master sand sculptors and 10 tons of sand, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, at 11930 Talman Run Dr. in Humble.
Master sand sculptor Christy Atkinson of South Padre Island and other sculptors will carve an 8-foot sandcastle. She will begin building the day before the festivities, as it will take about 16 hours to create the fantastical white masonry sand structure.
Would-be sand artists — young and young-at-heart — can try their hands at sand sculpting with Atkinson’s help (and her tools of the trade). Free Balmoral sand pails and shovels will be available to all.
In addition to sand, we will have train rides and beach treats including hot dogs and hamburgers with chips. Ice cream and popsicles will offer a sweet end to the day.
Visitors also will be able to learn more about our fabulous 2-acre crystal clear lagoon, part of Balmoral’s 8-acre Amenity Village, now under construction.
The lagoon, with depths up to 8 feet, will feature a Kid’s Cove and two sand beaches — a Family Beach with cabanas and lounge chairs, and a Serenity Beach for adults. The Amenity Village includes an infinity-edge pool overlooking the lagoon, a food truck courtyard, hammock park, sand volleyball court, playground and splash pad. A 12-foot wide GreenBoLT trail system will enable residents to walk, bike or take electric golf carts and Segways to Balmoral amenities and points of interest. The crystal clear lagoon and the Amenity Village are expected to open next summer.
Prospective residents can get a jump on building their own “castles” inspired by the beautifully decorated model homes showcased by builders Colina Homes, D.R. Horton, Gray Point Homes by Gehan Homes, HistoryMaker Homes and Westin Homes. Homes in Balmoral are priced from the $200s.