This means that only around 20 now remain available to buy, reports Richard Deans of MGM\u2019s UK sales office in London\u2019s West End. He told Retiremove<\/em>: \u2018That figure is poised to drop following the recent huge surge in interest levels among UK buyers as sterling rose sharply against the single currency, topping the \u20ac1.30 mark to a level not seen since March 2008.\u2019<\/p>\n As soon as the snows melt in the spring sunshine construction work will get underway on MGM\u2019s new R\u00e9sidence Cristal de Jade<\/em>. It will occupy a site of just over half a hectare (about 1.2 acres) at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi cable car, France’s most popular attraction pictured below,\u00a0which lifts skiers to an altitude of 3,842 metres and a 360 degree view of all the French, Swiss and Italian Alps. \u2018It is the last piece in the jigsaw resulting from the sale for development of parcels of land owned by the operator of the Aiguille du Midi cable car in order to fund a \u20ac470million (\u00a3355million) renovation and modernisation programme,\u2019 explains Richard. \u2018The aim is to enhance the visitor experience for more than a million skiers, walkers and climbers who use the lift all year round.\u2019<\/p>\n When it is completed next year, MGM\u2019s new r\u00e9sidence <\/em>will comprise three traditionally-styled four-storey chalets together containing 56 apartments ranging in size from one-bedroom to four-bedrooms. All those with two or more bedrooms will have two bathrooms, one of which is en-suite to the master bedroom.<\/p>\n The apartments come with use of a private garden, underground parking, cellar storage, locker rooms, laundry and drying rooms.<\/p>\n Facilities within the r\u00e9sidence<\/em> will include indoor pools for adults and children, a fitness suite, gym, sauna, jacuzzi and steam rooms, as well as an \u00d4 des Cimes spa and beauty centre with a variety of massages and treatments on offer.<\/p>\n A free WiFi<\/em> service will be provided throughout the building.<\/p>\n Shops and restaurants are on the doorstep of R\u00e9sidence Cristal de Jade<\/em>. Many more are within a ten-minute level walk to the historic town centre of Chamonix, situated beneath the 4,810\u00a0metre high Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the Alps.<\/p>\n Current off-plan prices start at \u20ac320,000 (\u00a3242,000) for a two-bedroom apartment.<\/p>\n Prices, which include underground car parking, cellar storage, use of locker rooms and drying rooms, exclude French VAT at 20 per cent which is waived under the leaseback scheme<\/p>\n![\"Retire-chamonix-1\"](\"http:\/\/newclone.retiremove.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/Retire-chamonix-1.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe r\u00e9sidence<\/em> \u2013 the biggest new development in Chamonix for many years \u2013 forms an integral part of a new quartier <\/em>(district) created on the southern edge of the town<\/h4>\n