This article was in The Times (London), August 3, 2007, Friday
By: Lorna Blackwood
Lorna Blackwood visits a working example of l’entente cordiale
HISTORY shows that relations between the French and the British have not always been at their best. Some would even go so far as agreeing with Donald Jerrold, a 19th-century wit, who proclaimed: "The best thing I know between France and England is the sea."
But in the town of [tag-tec]Briancon[/tag-tec], high in the Southern Alps and four miles from the Italian border, relations are good. A collaboration between the town and Space France, a British property development company, will lead to a remarkable renovation of a disused 19th-century silk mill, La Schappe. Briancon is part of the [tag-tec]Serre Chevalier[/tag-tec] region, which to date has been better known for its skiing.
"It’s strange to think that this town trusted a load of Brits with a bit of French heritage," says Ben Norrington, a partner at Space France. "We were up against a large French construction company whose aim was to knock down the whole building and start from scratch," says Paul Bolton, his business partner. But the locals, most of whom are descendants of former employees at [tag-tec]La Schappe[/tag-tec], regarded it as an integral part of the town.
Space France is happy to keep the existing exterior of the listed building. In fact, Bolton and the third partner, Perry Gamby, have experience of renovating old factories in the UK and invited the mayor of Briancon and other council dignitaries across the Channel to look at such projects. "Once they had seen our warehouse and factory conversions, they were happy to give us the gig," Bolton says. To complete the international alliance, the company is using an Italian architect, Alex Rovagna, who studied La Schappe as part of his university thesis and is now close to realising his dream of seeing the 230,000 sq ft mill renovated.
[tag-tec]Space France[/tag-tec] is working closely with the community to retain the redeveloped mill as a focal point of the town. So, apart from 250 loft-style apartments and a four-star hotel and spa, the traditional covered market will be housed there, along with a museum celebrating the mill’s history. Rovagna has designed two dramatic modern extensions, inspired by silk cocoons.
Phase one is due for release in September. The size of apartments ranges from 25 sq m one-bedroom mezzanine flats in the new extensions to 150 sq m five bedroom lofts in the old factory. Prices will range from Euro 5,600 to Euro 6,000 a square metre, including VAT. There is a leaseback option on apartments in the main Schappe building; the price paid would be net of VAT, ie, 19.6 per cent less than the above figures. Various rental packages will be offered, with details yet to be confirmed. As a foreign buyer, you will need to pay a 5 per cent deposit.
The mill is just below the medieval walled city, next to a river and backing on to the beautiful Parc de la Schappe. It is close to the centre of town: the narrow, winding streets are full of traditional French shops, bars and restaurants, and the mountains are only a gondola-ride away.
Briancon is relatively unknown to British investors but its property market is poised for significant expansion. In winter you can ski the 250km of piste that make up the Grand Serre Che. [tag-tec]Compagnie des Alpes[/tag-tec], which is responsible for the rise of La Plagne and Les Arcs, is investing Euro 50 million in the region over the next five years to improve the ski area.
Briancon is just as busy in summer. You can go cycling, climb or walk in the mountains, try white-water rafting or visit the the natural hot springs in Le Monetier-les-Bains.
The town is a candidate to become a Unesco World Heritage Site because of the fortified architecture of the military tactician Vauban. He was responsible for building the magnificent forts that overlook the town, which this year celebrates the 300th anniversary of his death.
If you love the French cafe culture and mountain air, this would be an ideal investment. Unlike many mountain resorts, there is plenty to do year-round and there is already a guaranteed summer crowd.
As Gamby says: "It is a wonderful opportun-ity. The timing is perfect, with large-scale investment in the lift infrastructure, Briancon’s Unesco candidature and the town council’s wish to see inward investment that will supply both quality accommodation and services that do justice to the natural beauty of this region."
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