Open house event highlights some of Montreal's spectacular views

The Gazette 25/03/2016
Kathryn Greenaway

Spring is in the air, which means the real estate market is heating up. “For Sale” signs are popping up all over and the Open House Weekends is back to help potential buyers focus their search.

Dozens of new residential developments, the majority condominium projects, are flinging open their sales office doors and model units to show off slick layouts, common areas with the latest in amenities and, in a handful of cases, spectacular views. The event, organized by real estate marketing consultant Jacques Beaulieu in partnership with the Guidehabitation.com, runs over two weekends, April 2-3 and April 9-10.

Spacious layouts and luxurious finishes are on most buyers’ wish lists. Add a gorgeous view to the mix? Bonus.

The LL sur-le-Lac luxury project in the exclusive Laval-sur-le-Lac district is all about the views. To be built over four years — one seven-storey building a year — the project targets an affluent clientele with deep pockets.

They pay big money for sprawling square footage — including one- or two-storey penthouses — with sumptuous finishes and grand views of the exclusive Laval-sur-le-Lace golf club, the Mille-Îles River and Lake of Two Mountains, which can be enjoyed from the interior through floor to ceiling windows or from a 1,500-square-foot private terrace or roof terrace.

Price depends on what custom fittings or layout adjustments a client makes. The smallest penthouse is 1,500 square feet and the largest is 4,000 square feet. Development director Maxime Laporte said the units start at around $600,000, plus taxes, with one parking space, and can top $1 million, depending on the nature of a client’s requests.

“These clients are accustomed to custom — custom suits, custom travel, custom meals,” Laporte said. “These are not small pied-à-terre units you buy in a downtown condo tower. Our clients are mainly empty-nesters who want to downsize or senior executives who travel a lot.”

The project is a collaboration between Groupe Quorum, Groupe Marsan and interior designer Alain Desgagné. The sales office is at 1000 des Érables St. in Laval.