Sébastien Abrieu and Catherine Laforest will have lived for seven years in a magnificent property that they restored on the edge of the La Cowansville trail, in the Bromont ski resort. A life experience that fulfilled them and that will have changed the destiny of their son Milan…
“When we fell in love with this house, Milan went from primary to secondary school,” says Sébastien Abrieu. One day, my boy said to me: “Dad, this house is the most beautiful thing you could give me in life.” Because my son now rides a mountain bike, he skis and he’s become a golf pro! Best amateur in all of Estrie! He was able to experience something incredible thanks to this extraordinary place for a family. »
“Here, we have access to all the mountain bike trails and hiking trails, not to mention three beautiful golf courses not far from our home,” says Mr. Abrieu. It is a fantastic place for people who love nature. »
The couple started by renting this property, but after a first winter benefiting from the proximity of the ski slope, the desire to buy it and renovate it imposed itself, says Sébastien Abrieu.
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Spectacular canopy
Located at 30 rue de Mercier, the 4,000 sq.2 had been extended in 2012 with a 1500 sq. ft. canopy2 giving it an original appearance and optimum brightness.
When we got there, we opened up the old exterior walls and brought in steel beams. When you are in the house, you can even see skiers. It’s like living in nature.
Sébastien Abrieu, owner
The interior of the canopy is impressive, with its contemporary and warm look. There is a large vestibule, a game room with its bar and pantry, the kitchen and a dining room surrounded by windows. The floor of the ground floor (where the master bedroom is located) has been completely redone in polished and heated concrete. “To redo the interior, I worked with the architect Caroline Bousquet, from Mont-Saint-Hilaire, says Sébastien Abrieu. We put a lot of audacity into it. »
Two of the bedrooms are located on the ground floor, with kitchenette, living room, bathroom and independent entrance, thus constituting a kind of guest condo, space for tenants or for “big teenagers!” “says Sébastien Abrieu.
Built on a rock formation, the house had problems with cracks in its foundation, but everything was corrected according to the rules of the art, says Mr. Abrieu. The cracks were sealed with epoxy and fortified with steel, and the ground accommodated a new drain. The canopy can have problems with water infiltration because of the seals that dry out in the sun. Sébastien Abrieu changed them 5 years ago and recommends servicing them every 10 years.
Despite the proximity of skiers, the site, visited by deer, is quiet. Tall conifers planted along La Cowansville dim the light from streetlights that illuminate the ski slope at night. “We have a good neighborhood,” says Mr. Abrieu. I let my neighbors pass by our property to go skiing. »
The call for other projects
Sold with legal warranty, the property includes a heated inground pool, a spa, a shed and an outdoor fireplace for evenings around the fire. Entrepreneur with his spouse – they launched the restaurant concepts La Grand-Mère Poule and Shack Attakk – Sébastien Abrieu explains that the pandemic has been difficult financially. That’s why they have to sell.
“I’m a man of projects and I have another on the mountain,” he said. I need cash. We’re going to live not far away, in what was supposed to be our chalet. But the house with the glass roof was a life project. We got used to the idea of leaving her. A house like this, located directly on the slopes, is very rare for there to be for sale of this quality. »
The property in brief
Asking price: $3,198,000
Year of construction: 1972 (extension in 2012 and renovation in 2017)
Rooms: 20, including 6 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms
Living area: approximately 4000 sq.ft.2 (371 m2)
Land area: 20,983 ft2 (1950 m2)
Municipal assessment: $1,647,100 (2023)
Property tax: $10,745 (2023)
School tax: $1125 (2022)
Monthly energy expenditure: between $800 and $900
Broker: Charles-Alexandre Sylvestre (RE/MAX-Imagine)