How Morzine property developers are giving back to the community

It all started two years ago when Promoteam applied for a planning permit to build what is now the Les Avettes development. They agreed with the town hall that they would sell some of the apartments to a key worker housing company, who would then let the properties to local people who had applied for housing, based on their income. In doing so, they became the first property developers to provide affordable accommodation in the centre of Morzine, a feat they're really proud of.

The key worker accommodation is, so far, hosted in their Les Avettes development, in the centre of town. They wanted to be able to house all sorts of people, from individuals to families, so they offered an assortment of apartments in a variety of sizes. Five of the Les Avettes flats have been turned into key worker housing, ranging from a 33m² studio to a 92m² four-bedroom duplex.

Since then, giving back to the local community and economy has become an integral part of Promoteam's DNA. Amanda Hardwick, their Marketing & Client Relations Manager, explained to us how they believe that their developments need to have a positive impact in the area. "Our aim is to sell ski apartments that help build a strong local economy and community. Our buyers are looking to use their properties for personal use and for rental and we design our properties with this in mind. We don't want to build developments that only get used for a few weeks of the year and contribute to an empty village, we want to build developments that will be occupied for as many weeks as possible to people who will use the local facilities, shop in the local shops, eat in the local restaurants and drink in the local bars!"

She also spoke of how they want to go even further and attempt to offer the key worker housing themselves, instead of through an intermediary company. "We would like to sell directly to local people so that we can help them get onto the property ladder or, in French, 'accession a la proprieté' by selling the apartments at a -30-35% reduced price compared to the market value. This would help stop local people being priced out of the Morzine housing market and forced to move to towns further down the mountain. We really want to halt this decline in the local population and start to increase it again. It's why everyone loves to visit Morzine – the village feel, the fact that it thrives all year round with local people. If we lose the local community, we are at risk of losing the very reason that gives Morzine its charm for the tourists that visit. We are currently in discussion with the town hall about this future plan."

Promoteam have also made it their goal to use mainly local suppliers in their developments to create jobs for local people and help build a strong community and economy. Highly skilled local electricians, plumbers, carpenters and tilers work at their construction sites and are afterwards employed in maintenance jobs. Even the interior designers, Deco d'En Haut are based in Morzine, while their kitchen specialists have a factory in the region.

Housing isn't the only avenue they're exploring to give back to the town. Two of their new developments, Le Carlina and Le Tyrolien, include commercial spaces for local businesses. Le Carlina will host a new restaurant while Le Tyrolien will have a brand new space for local cook Martine to continue to bake her amazing pizzas, as well as additional shop spaces.

There are still apartments for sale in these two developments. In Le Carlina, a ski-in ski-out building in the centre of Morzine, you can find two-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments available, with prices starting at €490,000. Le Tyrolien, also in the heart of resort and just a few steps away from the Super Morzine lift, also has some luxury flats on the market, from a stunning two-bedroom to spacious three bedrooms and up to six-bedroom apartments. Their two other recent developments, Les Frenes which is tucked away in a quiet spot of Morzine, and Le Génepi, in Les Gets, also have apartments for sale.

So, if you're looking for your very own place in Morzine and would also like to help contribute to the local community and economy, Promoteam's developments may just be what you're looking for.