Australian firm launches 46°N near Mont Tremblant

Left to right: Jean-François Brien, sales manager, Johanne Deschamps, députée of Laurentides-Labelle, Christian Bélisle, mayor of La Macaza, Luc Corneli, vice president of Walker Corporation Canada, Gilbert Brassard, mayor of Labelle, André Tremblay, councillor of Rivière-Rouge, and Jacques Papin, Axe Immobilier at the opening of 46°N owner’s lodge.

LA MACAZA, QC—When Luc Corneli, vice president of Walker Corporation is asked what makes 46°N, the  new $150 million development near Mont Tremblant so special, he takes his time in answering.

“It’s eco-friendly,” he says, pointing out that Walker tried to work with the natural setting.  The swimming pool is an irregular shape because it wraps around a rock that was already there.

“They might have chiselled it out, but they decided to work with that environmental feature,” Corneli said.

“The views” were advantage number two.  The project is not flat — it’s all up and down, with brooks waterfalls, and a trail through the river valley.

“Carefree ownership” is Corneli’s third advantage. “There is a concierge service, so that people can go up and really enjoy themselves. If they want ski passes or dog sledding, they can call ahead and pick up an envelope when they reach their home. If they want to host a party on a Saturday night, we’ll have a chef come in.”

“Year-round lifestyle” is Corneli’s final selling feature.  “Some projects are only skiing or golfing.  Here, we can get to the base of Mont Tremblant in 20 minutes using our shuttle service.  There’s kayaking four minutes away, horseback riding, a 100-km biking trail and one of Quebec’s biggest skidoo and quad trails.”

Lang Walker, executive chairman of Walker Corporation, an Australian property developer, was not traditional in his approach to building the community.

Where other vacation ownership communities have a master plan and one model home, Walker has built an owner’s lodge and four high-end model homes, each situated on one to five acres of land.

The four existing homes cost $700,000 to $1.2 million for those who want to purchase them outright.  One-sixth ownerships are also available.

Walker is about to launch some three-bedroom, one-level homes situated on one to one-and-a-half acres of property.  These cottages sell for about $400,000.

“What is commendable is that in spite of the economic downtimes, Walker Corporation demonstrated its faith in its developer and in the strength of its development by going ahead with the construction of the owners lodge and four model homes,” Corneli said at the lodge opening.

“This is a feature that has been promised and we did deliver our promises to the community, ahead of schedule.”

Guests mingle upstairs in the owner’s lodge at 46°N in La Macaza, QC.

Once the $150 million development is completed, it will comprise 150 log homes situated on a 500 acre site with forests, four lakes, waterfalls and streams. Due to the size of the property, it will eventually comprise two owner’s lodges, 2 sets of pools and water amenities on all four lakes that will benefit from its own docks” Corneli added.

On November 12 at The Americas Property Awards 2009, Walker Corporation Canada Limited — a wholly owned subsidiary of Walker Corporation Pty Limited Australia — will be presented with an award in the category of Best Development of over 5 residences for Canada. Entries are judged by a panel of professionals from around the world.