Investors plan major refurb of former Talisman Resort
The former Talisman resort in the Canadian municipality of Grey Highlands in Ontario has been sold to investors who plan to restore the buildings and turn the property into an all-year destination.
With hopes to open by Q3 of 2015, the municipality originally took over Talisman – once a major local employer – in 2013 after failed efforts to dispose of the former resort. Two parts of the three properties were sold but the main buildings failed to draw a bid.
The purchase agreement, signed on 12 May, does not include all of the property – Grey Highlands will retain land by the municipal lagoon and some land at the top of the resort’s hill.
Mr Brian Ellis, one of the investors, has a 50 per cent stake in the resort venture which plans to eventually restore skiing facilities after carrying out renovations and fitting a spa.
“It’s really important that we make this into a destination resort again, we need to get this place up and running and make it the place it used to be and better,” Ellis told local press.
Plans for the resort’s spa include outdoor hot and cold pools, steamrooms, relaxation rooms, large saunas, yoga rooms and a number of treatment rooms. The spa and tea room will be located in what was the chalet building, with a restaurant planned for the main lodge.
“It’s something to compete with the Ste. Anne’s spa in Grafton and the Scandinave at The Blue Mountains Resort [both high-end spas in the state of Ontario],” Ellis added.
Ellis said the priority – once the deal is finalised on 28 May – will be to remove the mould from the buildings, which is expected to cost at least CA$300,000 (US$275,254, €200,715, £163,501). This must be done before renovations can take place.
While there are no plans to develop any of the property for housing or condos, Ellis plans to refurbish the golf course.
The sale of the Talisman resort – which was costing the municipality a minimum of CA$10,000 (US$9,175, €6,696, £5,447) per month – is expected to create economic growth for the area.
“I believe Grey Highlands future is going to lie in recreation and 50-plus active living,” said Russell Severnuk, vice chair of the Talisman task force. “This property is a diamond in the rough.”
Ellis, a specialist in real estate development with roughly 30 years of industry experience, predicts this will be an expensive project. “It’s going to take millions of dollars to bring this back to where it was. We are strong marketers and we’re going to bring in a lot of expertise,” he said.
UAE’s first Dior Spa debuts in Dubai at Dorchester Collection’s newest hotel, The Lana
Europe's premier Evian Spa unveiled at Hôtel Royal in France
Clinique La Prairie unveils health resort in China after two-year project
GoCo Health Innovation City in Sweden plans to lead the world in delivering wellness and new science
Four Seasons announces luxury wellness resort and residences at Amaala
Aman sister brand Janu debuts in Tokyo with four-floor urban wellness retreat
€38m geothermal spa and leisure centre to revitalise Croatian city of Bjelovar
Two Santani eco-friendly wellness resorts coming to Oman, partnered with Omran Group
Kerzner shows confidence in its Siro wellness hotel concept, revealing plans to open 100
Ritz-Carlton, Portland unveils skyline spa inspired by unfolding petals of a rose
Rogers Stirk Harbour & Partners are just one of the names behind The Emory hotel London and Surrenne private members club
Peninsula Hot Springs unveils AUS$11.7m sister site in Australian outback
IWBI creates WELL for residential programme to inspire healthy living environments
Conrad Orlando unveils water-inspired spa oasis amid billion-dollar Evermore Resort complex
Studio A+ realises striking urban hot springs retreat in China's Shanxi Province
Populous reveals plans for major e-sports arena in Saudi Arabia
Wake The Tiger launches new 1,000sq m expansion
Othership CEO envisions its urban bathhouses in every city in North America
Merlin teams up with Hasbro and Lego to create Peppa Pig experiences
SHA Wellness unveils highly-anticipated Mexico outpost
One&Only One Za’abeel opens in Dubai featuring striking design by Nikken Sekkei
Luxury spa hotel, Calcot Manor, creates new Grain Store health club
'World's largest' indoor ski centre by 10 Design slated to open in 2025
Murrayshall Country Estate awarded planning permission for multi-million-pound spa and leisure centre
Aman's Janu hotel by Pelli Clarke & Partners will have 4,000sq m of wellness space
Therme Group confirms Incheon Golden Harbor location for South Korean wellbeing resort
Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
King of Bhutan unveils masterplan for Mindfulness City, designed by BIG, Arup and Cistri
Rural locations are the next frontier for expansion for the health club sector
Tonik Associates designs new suburban model for high-end Third Space health and wellness club
From flooding old shopping malls to revolutionising housing, MVRDV’s founders like to do things differently