A Q&A with Andrew Lutfy
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G4 SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2018 MONTREAL GAZETTE NEW HOMES & CONDOS Each of the 18 private residences, described as homes in the sky, will be extended by either a private terrace or by a classic-style loggia, ARTIST’S RENDERINGS COURTESY OF CARBONLEO A Q&A WITH ANDREW LUTFY Designer Philip Hazan, in working on the interiors of the private residences, has opted for a modern, open-concept living and dining area with spectacular views of the city (above) and a large, airy master bedroom with seating area and walk-in closet (below). Lighting controls and a motorized shade system allows residents to create any desired ambience. An integrated and multizone heating and air-conditioning system, combined with humidified air supplied through a centralized system, further ensures the comfort of individual residents. LORRI BENEDIK to manage and develop the assets. ever-evolving Quartier Dix30, an- and valet parking. The crowning Jessica, 25, and Alex, 24. I spend Active investment is the opposite. other of our projects has been the jewels are 18 magnificent residenc- weekends with them, and their Andrew Lutfy, the vibrant presi- You are accountable for every- luxurious Four Seasons Hotel and es, which will occupy the top five significant others, at our fam- dent and CEO of Carbonleo Real thing. Before investing passively Private Residences, in downtown floors and offer stunning views. ily cottage. We enjoy outdoor ac- Estate, is a proud Montrealer. He I ensure my partner is honest, has Montreal. They are 50 per cent sold (nine tivities: paddleboarding, hiking, is also president, CEO and sole integrity, great entrepreneurial months after their launch), and snowshoeing. And we love to cook! owner of the Groupe Dynamite skills and a solid track record. Tell me about Four Seasons. occupancy is scheduled for the I am the barbecue guy and can grill retail empire. Andrew grew up in It is ideally situated on rue de la end of 2018. pretty much anything. I also like to Town of Mount Royal and started How did you become president Montagne at de Maisonneuve, in bring a little something sous-vide his first company, washing and and CEO of Carbonleo? the Golden Square Mile, and will What’s next for Carbonleo? into the mix. Weekends, up north, detailing cars, when he was eight In 2008 I was offered the oppor- serve as a north-south link be- Royalmount is our $1.7-billion are the only time I can really de- years old. By age 12, business cards tunity to invest in new phases tween Griffintown, Quad Windsor project close to major arteries compress, breathe and relax. displayed his company name: Per- of Quartier Dix30, in Brossard. I (L’Avenue; Tour des Canadiens) (Highways 40 and 15) and public fection Reflection. agreed and began to invest pas- and the museum district. Four transit (métro de la Savane). It What puts the spring in your We met at the Groupe Dynamite sively. One condition was that I Seasons will rejuvenate the down- will consist of 85 acres of com- step? head office on Ferrier St. occupy a prominent seat on the de- town core and provide Montreal mercial and retail development, There is nothing I find more thrill- velopment committee and attend with a much-needed commercial including five hotels and a movie ing than delivering a project. Some How did you get into retail? all meetings. The lead developer, epicentre. theatre. There is no housing com- of ours are quite complicated and When I was 18 (in 1982), I moved Jean-François Breton, was a man Four Seasons is a luxury ecosys- ponent to Royalmount, but it will not for the faint-of-heart. At the to Montreal North and got a job as I had known for five years. He was tem. It consists of a new flagship generate great residential density office, I am all about employee a stock boy at a jeans and T-shirt my retail landlord at Dix30. It was Holt Renfrew store (Holt Renfrew all around. satisfaction. On a personal level, I store, in Place Versailles, called La a great relationship. He possesses & Co.) and features other high-end enjoy making my loved ones happy. Station. The owner had been one all the traits I value and, in 2012, retailers. The five-star Four Sea- What do you enjoy in your spare Work has never been about accu- of my car-detailing customers. Jean-François and I launched Car- sons Hotel will have 166 rooms, a time? mulating wealth. The money is a He became my boss and later my bonleo together. In addition to the grand ballroom, spas, restaurants I have two wonderful children — consequence. father-in-law. Expansion began with branch- es in St-Jérôme and Westmount. Next was a store, which we named Dynamite, in Carrefour Laval. By 1998 we had 100 stores across Quebec and two years later we celebrated the distinction of hav- ing retail representation in every province. In 2001 we opened our 200th store. Along the way, I evolved from stock boy to operations man- ager. In 2002, I bought the com- pany outright. Today, we have 400 stores — in 10 countries — under the Dynamite and Garage banners. We are still all about jeans and tees. What is the link to real-estate development? The common thread is my love for projects. I have always enjoyed construction. When I was a kid, my uncle built a house. I spent time with him and learned about weld- ing, concrete work, plumbing and electricity. The retail business has a strong construction component. Over the years, I got involved in real estate, as a passive investor. When the right opportunity arose, I leapt into active investment. Can you explain passive versus active investment? Passive investment entails putting up money without having a say in day-to-day decisions. There may be opportunities to offer input, but ultimately you are not in control; The architecture firms Lemay and Sid Lee Architecture are credited with the architectural concept of the new Four Seasons Hotel and Private Residences you have entrusted someone else Montreal, scheduled to open by late 2018. .