An exclusive opportunity for foreigners to buy on the shores of Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva, also known as Lac Léman, is Europe’s largest lake. It also happens to have on its far eastern shore one of its most beautiful towns. With a microclimate that will make you feel like you’re in Florida and scenery that will leave you breathless, sits a town of exceptional beauty and charm: welcome to Montreux.
Home ownership
Sizes vary from 2-bedroom apartments to larger 4- to 5-room apartments...all in a luxurious setting with the possibility of benefiting from services all year round
Switzerland is hardly comparable to other Europeans countries when it comes to accessibility of home ownership, as it is only since 1999 that foreigners can acquire property in the country.
Only a limited number of permits, depending on the property, are granted each year to non-residents. Furthermore, foreigners are limited to purchasing properties under 200m2.
Compared to other Swiss cities, Montreux has a more relaxed attitude with respect to foreign property buyers.
Today, affluent businessmen and tourists are in luck as Montreux is about to embark on a unique offer in French-speaking Switzerland: the sale of apartments to foreigners at the lavish apartment complex of Le National de Montreux.
The project
Le National was built in 1873 and used to be a big favourite with British visitors, and also counted among its guests the Russian author Leo Tolstoy. Being the first hotel built in Montreux, it is situated in one of the town’s best locations, with stunning views over the lake to the mountains. During the 1980s, however, the hotel fell into a state of disrepair, before being given a new lease of life thanks to an extensive renovation programme costing an estimated CHF 50 million.
Comptoir Immobilier was chosen as the Management Company. According to Nicolas Dunand, director of the company’s Vaudoise branch office – a man who seems to have gone into the real estate business straight from the crib – 90% of the clients are foreigners attracted by the high specification and comfort provided at Le National.
Indeed, the home-away-from-home feel provided by this development will be particularly attractive to businessmen coming in for short stays, as well as for tourists coming for specific events such as the renowned Montreux Jazz Festival. The apartments are interesting for long-term residents as well as for those who are in Montreux for a quick stopover, as Le National provides furnished apartments for a minimum stay of a week, combining luxury, retreat and comfort.
Living in a Le National apartment gives exclusive access to a private spa, a 350m2² (3,770 sq ft) wellness centre which includes an indoor pool, a sundeck, a Turkish steam bath, a sauna, a jacuzzi and a fitness room. For those who are fond of entertaining, there is the “National Lounge” on the mezzanine of the main building, which can accommodate up to 100 guests for private cocktails and about 30 guests for dinner, and a Business Centre for those wishing to run their business from home.
"Le Belvédère" - residential owner-occupied apartments with services to the residencies (spa, swimming-pool, wellness)
Services include a superior maintenance and concierge staff providing tailor-made services, such as catering and housekeeping, according to your needs, along with the possibility of having reservations made for you, whether it’s a seat in the cinema, a restaurant or even a round of golf.
Prices range from CHF 4,000 to 15,000 a week, for regular periods, according to the size of the apartment. Sizes vary from 2-bedroom apartments of 70m² (860 sq ft), to larger 4- to 5-room apartments for holiday rentals, all in a luxurious setting with the possibility of benefiting from services all year round.
Lakeview from one of the apartments
Closing the deal
Mr Dunand also mentioned plans to further extend within the Canton de Vaud. There is also great optimism about extending this project to other cantons and major cities in Switzerland in the future and, as Dunand says: “I think that if you have ambition but are not optimistic, there is no point in doing this profession because it is just not possible.”
If you are a fan of Montreux – and have an interest in the pleasure of residing in your own home whilst having all the benefits of a private club – Le National is the place to go. As a well-balanced combination between the great architectural tradition of the “Belle Époque” and the possibilites provided by the latest construction technologies, the Residences in the National now offer an exclusive, picturesque and stylish environment in one of the most beautiful regions of the world.
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