After the financial crisis of 2008, Jean-Francois de Clermont-Tonnerre, then with private baking group Hottinger & Co, saw his portfolio, including stakes in Canadian real estate, struggle. Rather than accepting his losses, selling the land held by the fund off cheap, he decided to persuade investors to take a huge risk and invest more funds into his company that was founded in 2010 called Storm Mountain Development Corp, a housing development firm based in British Columbia. I approached the investor group and managed to convince them to inject a further C$15 million said Jean-Francois de Clermont-Tonnerre.

All of the investors were guaranteed a 12% return on their new investment and would hopefully recover more of their initial investment if the development worked.

A very bold and risky move from Clermont-Tonnerre but it s now proven to be a stroke of genius.

Jean-Francois de Clermont-Tonnerre placed all of his faith into The Foothills development near Lantzville on the east side of Vancouver Island, but why did he pick this particular location? He says I have been to dozens of countries in every corner of the world but the natural beauty that is on show in British Columbia is without doubt the most awe-inspiring I have ever seen,

In phase one, of the nine-phase plan to develop the Foothills community, that was launched in April 2017, 51 lots were sold on first day of them being up for sale, and they continue to sell, generating over C$24 million in gross sales revenue and creating an outstanding new community. The development is now zoned for 731 more homes as a mixed-use village area, with the addition of a 730-acre park.

Jean-Francois put a lot of emphasis on the growing demand of these properties due to them being in such a beautiful part of the world. Earlier in this year another 26 new lots on the 1,838-acre site were released and are they are selling well. Thus, a majority of investors have received their money and are now looking forward to considerable profits in the coming future. "By taking on the risk of developing this project ourselves, our investors have avoided a fire sale and we have created a great new community in British Columbia," Clermont-Tonnerre said.

The Foothills (https://www.thefoothillslifestyle.com/) is an 1838 acre, master-planned community, above are the 9 phases of the masterplan that has been approved for 731 homes. Phase 1A has only 7 remaining properties left for sale.

The Foothills which is developed in Lantzville district seems to be a thriving community, The District of Lantzville is home to commercial, light industrial and home-based businesses. With approximately 25 commercial businesses in the village core and approximately 25 light industrial operations in the industrial area. While the District of Lantzville does not currently have a business licence requirement, the many home-based businesses located in the District are required to comply with the zoning regulations. This means all the new comers will have the opportunity to build the type of environment they desire to live in.

It seems like there really was a method behind Clermont-Tonnerre tactics. By choosing a location with the type of natural beauty Vancouver Island has to offer, paired with the economic growth in the Lantzville district, Storm Mountain Development Corp has been able to attract new residents to the area, creating a booming community they are proud to be part of.

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