Why MGM’s new scheme at Flaine is ‘state-of-the-art’ in terms of sustainability and fuel economy’...
MGM has signed-up to the principles of HQE (Haute Qualité Environmental) – the international construction industry’s high environmental quality standard which aims to integrate the principles of sustainable development defined at the 1992 Earth Summit. The constructor sees its new development at Flaine as the next significant step in its commitment to reduce energy consumption.
Thermal & acoustic insulation
For 20 years the Company has insulated the external walls of the homes it builds, despite the fact that this was not a legal requirement in France until 2007. The levels of both thermal and acoustic insulation installed by MGM exceed those demanded by French building standards.
South facing apartments
Le Centaure has been planned so that the majority of the apartments are south-facing to maximise the use of natural light through glass-fronted balconies and large double-glazed windows.
Reduction of carbon emissions
During construction of Le Centaure, MGM will reduce the carbon emissions caused by transporting workers and materials to the site by engaging local contractors and sourcing local building materials like stone and timber from nearby quarries and sustainable forests.
Sustainability
All building materials to be used have been closely scrutinised by energy-saving experts at MGM. Eco-friendly paint will be used on the external walls and the company has opted for timber window frames. This is because, while recognising that aluminium ones can be recycled in the longer term, the manufacturing process uses up to 1000 times more energy than that for timber frames. During the construction process all waste materials will be carefully sorted on site and sent for recycling.
Other energy saving features
• Lighting activated by movement detectors, switching off automatically when no-one is around.
• Low-energy light bulbs in communal areas.
• Geothermal heat pumps to extract and use energy which occurs naturally underground.
• Low-cost under-floor heating.
• Flow regulators on all taps.
Summer Home
Property & Living
Flaine, Le Centaure
Innovative new package for investors in Flaine
An innovative new scheme is expected to boost investor interest in properties for sale in the French Alps.
The scheme will enable them to receive a guaranteed rental income, as well as personal use of their résidence de tourisme property – or an income boost from additional lettings – and the option to take summer and winter holidays in up to ten other residences.
Flaine in summer. The resort, constructed in Bauhaus-inspired modernist architectural style, was hailed as ‘an architectural jewel’ when it opened in 1968. Four decades on, the buildings are listed as Historical Monuments. Image MGM.
The plan is being introduced in Flaine in the Haute-Savoie region of the French Alps where leading developer MGM French Properties is building 66 brand new apartments said to be ‘state-of-the-art in terms of sustainability and fuel economy.’ On schedule for completion later this year, the résidence – Le Centaure – is proving popular with families and investors.
All season activities in Flaine
In Flaine during the summer, visitors can enjoy tennis, archery and fitness classes. Mountain bike rides and walks start on the doorstep. White water rafting and canyoning are available nearby. At an altitude of 1,900 metres, the nearby Pierre Carrée 18-hole golf course is one of the highest in Europe with panoramic mountain views from every tee.
Guaranteed rental income
An added attraction for investors is the news this month that MGM is offering buyers at Le Centaure in Flaine a guaranteed rental income of 2.5 per cent with four weeks a year of personal use of the property.
Says Richard Deans in MGM’s London-based UK sales office (tel: 0207 4940706): “For owners who do not wish to use their property for the full four weeks, our management and letting company, CGH, will seek occupiers on their behalf and, if successful, give the owners the additional rental income at a level equivalent to 60 per cent of the brochure price value for that period.”
Owners wishing to do so can swap their entitlement to weeks at Flaine for a stay in one of the other MGM résidences de tourisme managed by CGH (www.cgh-residences.com). Locations include top ski resorts such as Tignes, La Plagne, Ste Foy and Les Houches.
Adapted apartments for disabled occupiers
The new apartments in the sunny south-facing Flaine development at the heart of the resort range in size from 27 sq metre studios to 75 sq metre three-bedroom duplexes. Some apartments, specially adapted for use by disabled occupiers, have larger floor areas in all rooms, notably bathrooms and lavatories which come equipped with handrails.
Facilities within the residence include a 25m x 10m indoor swimming pool – and a smaller children’s pool – with floor-to-ceiling glazing to give dramatic views of a nearby mountain waterfall. In addition to a sauna, jacuzzi, steam and fitness rooms, a spa and beauty centre will have a variety of massages and body treatments on offer.
Prices of the properties still available at Le Centaure start at €247,000 for a two-bedroom apartment of 50 sq m, rising to €418,000 for a three-bedroom duplex apartment. The prices, which include cellar storage and a ski locker, exclude VAT waived under the leaseback scheme.
Eco-friendly development
According to Richard, Le Centaure is not only leading the way with its new investment package but it is also tipped to become a showcase for eco-friendly development, setting the pace for future new schemes by MGM. “We have embraced the principles of the international construction industry’s high environmental quality standard – HQE (Haute Qualité Environmental) – which aims to integrate the principles of sustainable development defined at the 1992 Earth Summit,” he explains.
For more information about the properties available, call MGM’s UK office at Kingsland House, 122 - 124 Regent Street, London W1B 5SA, telephone 0207 4940706, email london@mgm-immobilier.fr or visit the website www.mgmfrenchproperties.com
Prices of the properties still available at Le Centaure start at €247,000 for a two-bedroom apartment of 50 sq m, rising to €418,000 for a three-bedroom duplex apartment. The prices, which include cellar storage and a ski locker, exclude VAT waived under the leaseback scheme.
For more information about the properties available, call MGM’s UK office at Kingsland House, 122 - 124 Regent Street, London W1B 5SA, tel: 0207 4940706, email london@mgm-immobilier.fr or visit the website
A Place in France
For independent advice, those interested can also contact A Place in France who is MGM's exclusive partner in the UK.
Tel: 0844 576 8485 / 023 9287 6857
By Road
Flaine is a full days drive from Calais, mostly on autoroutes (tolls will cost just over 60 euros each way). For Les Carroz, exit the A40 motorway at Cluses Centre (exit no.19). Take the N205 Sallanches direction, then after 3km turn left to Flaine on the D6.
By train
For the Grand Massif travel by Eurostar from London to Paris then take a train from Paris Austerlitz to Cluses.
online to avoid a booking fee and get your tickets by first class post (UK only).
