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Canadian ghost town sold to Chinese developer | Canadian ghost town sold to Chinese developer |
(about 20 hours later) | |
A ghost town in Canada’s westernmost wilds has been sold to a Chinese real estate developer who intends to bring it back to life, according the realtor. | A ghost town in Canada’s westernmost wilds has been sold to a Chinese real estate developer who intends to bring it back to life, according the realtor. |
China Zhong Ya Group Hebei Canada-China Co beat out bidders from around the world, real estate agent John Lovelace said in a statement. | China Zhong Ya Group Hebei Canada-China Co beat out bidders from around the world, real estate agent John Lovelace said in a statement. |
The sale of Bradian, 230km (142 miles) north of Vancouver, closed on 29 December 2014. It includes 22 homes, vacant lots, streets and fire hydrants on 50 acres. | The sale of Bradian, 230km (142 miles) north of Vancouver, closed on 29 December 2014. It includes 22 homes, vacant lots, streets and fire hydrants on 50 acres. |
“The company told us they plan to rehabilitate the town but I think they are prepared to take the time to plan everything out first,” Lovelace said. “That planning process will undoubtedly take considerable time.” | “The company told us they plan to rehabilitate the town but I think they are prepared to take the time to plan everything out first,” Lovelace said. “That planning process will undoubtedly take considerable time.” |
The asking price was just under Can$1m ($840,000). The actual sale price was not disclosed. | The asking price was just under Can$1m ($840,000). The actual sale price was not disclosed. |
Several Canadian towns have been put up for sale in recent decades after being abandoned following the closure of a local mill or mine. Others were levelled. | Several Canadian towns have been put up for sale in recent decades after being abandoned following the closure of a local mill or mine. Others were levelled. |
In the 1930s, Bradian was home to workers from the nearby Bralorne gold mine but they and their families left after the mine closed in 1971. | In the 1930s, Bradian was home to workers from the nearby Bralorne gold mine but they and their families left after the mine closed in 1971. |
Then in 1997, a couple touring the region reportedly stumbled upon Bradian and decided to buy it, using it as a summer retreat. But after their two children grew up, they decided to sell. | Then in 1997, a couple touring the region reportedly stumbled upon Bradian and decided to buy it, using it as a summer retreat. But after their two children grew up, they decided to sell. |
The area offers good snowmobiling or skiing in winter or fishing, boating, swimming and hiking in summer. | The area offers good snowmobiling or skiing in winter or fishing, boating, swimming and hiking in summer. |
Lovelace said the sale to a Chinese group is indicative of a new trend involving foreign investors: Chinese buyers looking beyond condos and single-family homes in Vancouver to invest in farms, ranches and other rural businesses throughout the province “and in this case, an entire town!” |
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