Existing three towers will be joined by 5 more; view of Aminona from village of Mollens

Correction 16:00  Mollens, Valais, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Russian company Mirax has passed a first, major hurdle in getting a green light to build a CHF350-plus million complex in the small resort of Aminona, next to Crans-Montana in Valais. Mirax specializes in large development projects including hotels and resorts. The first part of the project is for a hotel which has four buildings (correction: we earlier noted that this includes several towers, but these are part of a second phase, not yet approved, Mirax told GenevaLunch).

The larger project proposed to the commune of Mollens, of which Aminona is part, will have a five-star hotel, 32 chalets, five towers and luxury services. The complete project is expected to have 2,500 beds.

Aminona’s “Village Royal” now faces 30 days of public consultation. Groups including WWF Switzerland and the Fondation suisse pour la protection et l’aménagement du paysage, which have already argued against the project, are widely expected to register their opposition.

The project has raised questions in part because of failed mega-projects elsewhere in the Alps, notably in Grimentz. Mollens has built into the contract a deposit and guarantee to cover the cost of restoring the area if work is abandoned once the project is underway, with Stéphane Pont, president of the commune, citing lessons learned in Grimentz. According to TSR the company must also register the resort for a minimum period of 20 years with taxes paid in advance.

Related: Sixieme Dimension (Crans Montana official blog), 20 Minutes, Fre

artist's rendering of new resort (image: Mirax)

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