We’ve learned that the site of the former hotel in the Gray Rocks ski resort in the Laurentians has just been put back up for sale by its owner of the last five years The newspaper.
The mandate was given to the American real estate company Marcus & Millichap, which recently opened an office in Montreal. The list price has not been disclosed, but from what we understand the seller would be hoping for at least around twenty million dollars.
The land subject to this sale borders Lake Ouimet for over 1,973 feet. Google Earth
The latter is the region’s well-known entrepreneur and real estate developer, Cédric Grenon, president of Habitations Luma. This company is behind numerous condominium projects including Indigo Tremblant, Lago Tremblant and Station Nature.
Measuring one million square feet (976,013 ft2 to be exact), the massive property now for sale borders both the old ski mountain and Lake Ouimet, which was home to the majestic Gray Rocks Hotel until its destruction came to the flames in 2014, under circumstances that remain unclear.
Hotel Gray Rocks Photo Jarold Dumouchel Jarold Dumouchel
This now undeveloped property is divided into several different plots and was acquired in December 2018 by one of the numbered companies owned by Mr. Cédric Grenon from the Robinson family. According to the notarized documents we were able to find, the various transactions required The total value of the amount published on this website at the time was $10.5 million.
Turnaround situation
The register of Quebec lobbyists shows that Mr. Grenon has tried in recent months to get Mont-Tremblant to make changes to the area’s zoning.
According to Marcus & Millichap, the community’s zoning regulations now allow the construction of condominiums and hotels with a maximum height of seven stories.
Until recently, Habitations Luma planned to build a 350-unit complex on this site on Rue Labelle, conveniently located on the edge of Lake Ouimet. The project in which Lemay Michaud Architectes was involved was known as Vivo Tremblant.
Illustration of the complex Vivo Tremblant project as presented by the Lemay Michaud company on behalf of Habitations Luma during a public information event in early 2023. Screenshot of the presentation, Lemay Michaud Architects
Why is this land with its rich history for sale today? Has Vivo Tremblant’s millionaire project been abandoned by Habitations Luma? How much does the developer hope to get for this property?
Neither Marcus & Millichap’s Montreal team nor its client Cédric Grenon responded to our questions yesterday. However, since 2018, the latter has repeatedly presented itself as the one that would bring back the good years of Gray Rocks, one of the first ski resorts to emerge in the Laurentians around 1920.
Moratorium and protection
One thing is certain: since July 4, the Laurentides area has been subject to a moratorium on several interventions around the lakes, after the mayors of the MRC approved an interim control decision.
Cédric Grenon, President of Habitations Luma Lago Tremblant
This decision prohibits, until further notice, any subdivision, land use, construction or expansion related to tourist accommodation within a 300-meter strip of lake shore outside urban or village areas.
A few days later, the city of Tremblant confirmed that it had purchased the Gray Rocks mountain, taking advantage of the new right of first refusal granted to Quebec municipalities. According to documents signed before a notary on July 11, the price paid by the city was $6.3 million.
“Our intention is to protect this area permanently […] and at the same time make it accessible to the population for the practice of outdoor activities,” committed Mayor Luc Brisebois in a message to citizens.
With the contribution of Nicolas Brasseur, Bureau of Investigation
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