The new look is being pioneered at Les Chalets d’Angèle, a résidence de tourisme currently under construction in the village of Châtel on the French-Swiss border.
Some internal walls are clad in wood or have a bright white finish. Floors are in a mix of stone and larch parquet finishes. Timber kitchens have given way to contemporary fitted models with granite worktops.
‘These changes, combined with greater use of spotlights, create a twenty first century feel within our traditional external finishes of local timber and stone,’ said Richard Deans who heads MGM’s London sales team.
Les Chalets d’Angèle is being built in response to demand for year round holiday accommodation from people who love the outdoor life, according to Deans.
In winter snowboarding and bob sleighing can be enjoyed in addition to skiing in the world’s largest international linked ski area, the Portes du Soleil, which boasts 650 kilometres of slopes taking in eight French ski resorts and four in Switzerland. In summer, activities like hiking, biking and riding are on the doorstep and nearby there is rafting, fishing and paragliding,’ he explained.
The family friendly village is a 90 minute drive from Geneva Airport and the 73 apartments in the first phase of MGM’s development will be ready for occupation next month.
Owners will have use of all the four star facilities within the résidence, including an indoor pool, fitness suite, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and steam rooms. A spa will have a variety of massages and treatments on offer and there is underground parking, cellar storage, locker rooms, a laundry and drying rooms.
Current prices at Les Chalets d’Angèle start at €248,000 for a two bedroom apartment with a floor area of 52 square meters, rising to €348,000 for a 72 square meter three bedroom property. The prices exclude French VAT at 19.6% which is waived under the leaseback scheme.
Among the first British buyers at Les Chalets d’Angèle is Kate Bayley from Bath who has bought a three bedroom apartment which she and her husband with their four children, aged between ten and 20, will use during school holidays.
‘The rest of the time we will benefit from the investment income which the leaseback arrangement offers. I chose to buy in Châtel because it had instant appeal when I skied into it with friends during a holiday. It appears to be little known by anyone other than French skiers, and I like that,’ she explained.
