Often, owning a second property abroad means flying – and the more you fly, the more the environment suffers. Amanda Shiel sees what’s available for those who want to own abroad without leaving a huge carbon footprint.
The French Alps
MGM Constructeur is offering the jet-set life without the need for a jet. Set in the Alpine town of Bourg St Maurice, the location is very near a choice of skiing meccas. Le Coeur d’Or is a superb leaseback residence of 45 apartments in a stylish contemporary architecture. The location, just ten minutes’ walk from the town centre, is superb.
Bourg St Maurice is a popular ‘hub’ served by coach services to popular ski resorts – notably Tignes, Val d’Isere, la Rosiere, Vallandry and La Plagne.
The green benefits of investing here are set to improve dramatically later this year when work is completed on London’s new St Pancras International terminal. The station will become the departure point for faster Eurostar journeys to France which, during the ski season, will include a weekly direct service to Bourg St Maurice.
The one- and two-bedroom apartments are furnished and include ski lockers and cellars. Each also comes with an outside parking space. Besides the residences, the building will also feature a bowling centre, a cinema, a brasserie-restaurant, shops and conference rooms.
Prices for these leaseback-only properties range from €143,000 to €421,000 excluding VAT. Completion is expected in late 2008. Interested investors should call 020 7494 0706 or visit mgm-constructeur.com.
Luxury on the high seas
Four Seasons, a 48,600-ton 719-foot luxury vessel, will feature an exclusive fully private international residential community. Scheduled for delivery in 2010, it will offer 112 wholly owned private residences providing one-, two-, three-, or four-bedrooms with the onboard benefits and amenities of the legendary service of Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.
The epitome of oceanfront living, Four Seasons will provide owners with an unparalleled home and travel lifestyle. Elegant fully furnished residences and penthouses, designed by Tillberg Design US and ranging in size from 800 to over 7,000 square feet, will include floor-to-ceiling windows, spacious living room areas with sea views, master bedroom suites with walk-in dressing rooms, expansive terraces, walk-in closets and a full-size gourmet kitchen.
The ship offers sophisticated travelers an expansive array of onboard activities and entertainment, including the 11,000sq ft Four Seasons Spa and fitness facility, a European-styled promenade offering exclusive merchandise from many high end and well known retailers and a gourmet market.
Whether traveling for several weeks or year-round aboard the 13-deck Four Seasons, owners will tour some of the world’s most vibrant cities and exotic ports of call without ever leaving home.
International sales of the ocean residences will commence on 16th May 2007.
Prices start from £1.875m for a one-bedroom apartment ranging up to £7.417m for a four-bedroom apartment. A four-bedroom triplex penthouse is priced at £20m. Service charges start from £52,500 per annum. Contact David Vaughan at Savills International on 020 7016 3814 or visit savills.com/fsor.