British buyers snap up a third of luxurious new Chamonix apartments

Just 21 months after announcing plans to build what is expected to be rated as the first ever five-star résidence de tourisme in the French Alpine ski resort of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the developer MGM reports that Britons have snapped up a third of the apartments sold to date. ADVERTISING FEATURE

This means that only 20 properties now remain available to buy, reports Richard Deans of MGM’s UK sales office in London’s West End.

Construction work is well underway on the new Résidence Cristal de Jade. It occupies a site of just over half a hectare (about 1.2 acres) at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi cable car which lifts skiers to an altitude of 3,842 metres and a 360 degree view of all the French, Swiss and Italian Alps.

The résidence – the biggest new development in Chamonix for many years – forms an integral part of a new quartier (district) created on the southern edge of the town.

‘It is the last piece in the jigsaw resulting from the sale for development of parcels of land owned by the operator of the Aiguille du Midi cable car in order to fund a €470 million renovation and modernisation programme,’ explains Richard. ‘The aim is to enhance the visitor experience for more than a million skiers, walkers and climbers who use the lift all year round.’

When it is completed next year, MGM’s new résidence will comprise three traditionally-styled four-storey chalets together containing 56 apartments ranging in size from one-bedroom to four-bedrooms. All those with two or more bedrooms will have two bathrooms, one of which is en-suite to the master bedroom.

The apartments come with use of a private garden, underground parking, cellar storage, locker rooms, laundry and drying rooms.

Facilities within the résidence will include indoor pools for adults and children, a fitness suite, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as an Ô des Cimes spa and beauty centre with a variety of massages and treatments on offer.

A free WiFi service will be provided throughout the building.

MGM is confident that Résidence Cristal de Jade will be the first of its developments to meet the five-star standard set by Atout France, the Tourist Development Agency of France. To achieve it, the résidence will have to match more than 200 stringent criteria relating to the size and quality of the accommodation and facilities as well as the range of hotel-style services provided for use by the owners and occupiers of the apartments.

Shops and restaurants are on the doorstep of Résidence Cristal de Jade. Many more are within the ten-minute level walk to the historic town centre of Chamonix, situated beneath the 4,810 metre high Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.

Boasting four main skiing areas, Chamonix is more than just a ski resort; it is a cosmopolitan town offering accommodation of all types, three Michelin starred restaurants, several museums, shopping, après-ski night life and a big sports centre.

The ski areas are: Les Grands Montets (altitude 1,235 metres – 3,300 metres); Brévent/Flégère (1,030 metres – 2,525 metres); Balme (1,453 metres – 2,270 metres) and Les Houches (950 metres – 1,900 metres).

Access to the ski areas is easy thanks to a guest card system giving visitors free use of local bus and train services, as well as an all-day mini-bus shuttle service.

Recent improvements to facilities for winter visitors include a natural ice rink, the biggest of its type in France, and a cross-country area with new snowshoeing itineraries.

At Résidence Cristal de Jade current off-plan prices start at €412,500 for a two-bedroom apartment. Prices, which include underground car parking, cellar storage, use of locker rooms and drying rooms, exclude French VAT at 20 per cent which is waived under the leaseback scheme.

For more information about Résidence Cristal de Jade visit MGM’s website at www.mgmfrenchproperties.com or call the company’s UK sales office on 0207 4940706. Alternatively email MGM at [email protected]