Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and Devcore Group CEO Jean-Pierre Poulin are part of an “all-star” team of entrepreneurs bidding to buy the iconic Fairmont Château Montebello. The group also includes Le Nordik spa founder and CEO Martin Paquette, along with two unnamed real estate entrepreneurs who secured a bid for the historic hotel and sprawling 21-hectare property on the north shore of the Ottawa River in Montebello, Que.
Château Montebello put up for sale in 2024
The Fairmont Château Montebello, known as the world’s largest log cabin and one of Canada’s most storied hotels, was put up for sale in 2024 after its previous owners were forced to sell off their real estate holdings. Hong Kong-based real estate conglomerate China Evergrande was ordered to liquidate $245 billion in worldwide assets, leading to the sale. Evergrande had purchased the 211-room Château Montebello in 2014 as its first major investment in the Canadian real estate market.
History of the hotel
The hotel opened on July 1, 1930. It was constructed in just over four months under the guidance of Victor Nymark, a Finnish-born architect and master log builder. The property features a massive central fireplace and is renowned for its rustic elegance and historical significance.
Andlauer's vision for the Outaouais region
In an interview Monday, Poulin said Andlauer called him in the last few weeks and said, “J-P, what about Montebello? And so I said, ‘What about Montebello?'” Andlauer purchased the Ottawa Senators in 2023 for $950 million USD along with several partners, including Poulin’s Devcore Group, a minority owner in the team’s community ownership group.
“Part of (Andlauer’s) mission is to invest and increase the fanbase here in the Outaouais and in Gatineau, so this makes perfect sense to make sure that we step up and we don’t let this beautiful asset go to a U.S. potential buyer or another Chinese buyer who never even visit the property ever,” Poulin said.
Local importance and future plans
“It’s in my back yard, I’m there 10 or 15 times a year and it’s very important for the history of the Montebello village,” he said. “All of this needs to be celebrated and we feel we have an all-star group that can take this to the next level.”
“Château Montebello 2.0 sounds great, but it requires a lot of love, understanding of the history, but also some serious investment,” Poulin added. The group plans to preserve the hotel’s heritage while making necessary upgrades to attract more visitors and enhance the local economy.
More details on the bid are expected to emerge as the sale process continues.
