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November 26, 2007

Upper Saranac resort now an ultra-expensive club

By KIM SMITH DEDAM The Press Republican Mon Nov 26, 2007, 11:00 PM EST

LAKE PLACID -- The Point, an exclusive resort property on the Upper Saranac, was purchased recently by Everlands, a members-only club with a preservation missive.

Everlands said the club formed expressly to preserve places of "historic importance" with "storied pasts."

"Our vision in creating Everlands was to bring together a global community of like-minded individuals who share a love of people and family and a passion for nature and the great outdoors, defined by a desire to preserve and protect it," Robert L. Burch, Everlands co-founder, said in a statement.

"Everlanders have the opportunity to experience the world's most magnificent destinations while preserving them for future generations."

The Point was purchased from the Burlington-based Garrett Group, which also owns Lake Placid Lodge, for an undisclosed amount.

Membership to Everlands, and therefore access to its property, is by invitation only, according to the company's press statement.

Each member pays a one-time fee of $1 million and annual club dues of $40,000.

"The membership fee is $1 million, with early-in opportunities for founding membership starting at $475,000," the press release said.

Access to the properties is booked on a first-come, first-served basis. Sports instruction and outdoor adventures are handled, the statement said, by "experience managers."

"The company is owned entirely by its members, who own a pro rata equity interest in the Club Membership Corporation. Everlands members co-own the land, buildings and all real property, including furnishings, artwork, boats, float planes, facilities, equipment, horses and livestock -- debt free."

Burch is CEO at Red Badge Inc., a real-estate investment and venture-capital corporation with diverse investment interests, which develops "boutique hotels" and residences in Latin America.

The Everlands Web site includes a recent travelogue from a trip to Russian Rivers by Burch, who also owns the Faena Hotel + Universe in Buenos Aires and Eastern Alliance Insurance Co.

Burch formerly was a board member at the Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Philadelphia and had served on the board at Haverford School.

The Point, the statement said, is the first destination to become part of Everlands, but six other properties are part of the first acquisition phase, including Lake Rotoroa Lodge in New Zealand, Bristol Bay Lodge in Alaska and Lone Mountain Ranch in Montana.

Everlands also plans to buy partridge habitat in Spain and an Atlantic salmon property in Iceland.

Late last month, conservationist Whitney Tilt of Bozeman Montana, who formerly held positions with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Audubon Society, was named executive director of Everlands Conservation Foundation.

kdedam@pressrepublican.com