MFS climbs treetop globally

MFS Living and Leisure Group has bought two for treetop development sites in upstate New York and New Zealand.

MPY has acquired the 70 acre Lake George site, located 325kms from New York City, from a private investor for $US1 million in a structured agreement with a final earn-out payment linked to the securing of development approvals.

The proposed Lake George treetop walk will be 520 metres long, 28 metres high and will feature a spiral tower 45 metres above the forest floor.

MPY’s chief executive Marshall Vann said the treetop walk developments at Lake George in the State of New York and Lake Brunner on New Zealand’s south island were part of the group’s strategy to replicate the success of its Otway Fly attraction.

The Lake Brunner site in New Zealand is located on the west coast of the south island, 30kms inland from Greymouth.

A Maori cultural heritage assessment will also need to be undertaken as part of the approval process.

The Brunner treetop walk will be 500 metres long, 20 to 30 metres high and will incorporate a spiral tower 47 metres above the forest floor. This attraction will also include a visitor centre featuring interpretative installations, a café and an outlet for local craft operators.

MPY expanded into the treetop walk market in December 2006 when it acquired the Otway Fly treetop walk in Victoria for $14.75 million and secured the rights to develop the Illawarra Fly in NSW.

The Illawarra Fly is currently under construction and due for completion in early 2008.

As part of the Otway Fly acquisition MPY forged an exclusive five-year agreement with the founders of the Fly businesses to develop further treetop walk attractions for MPY around the world.

Australian Property Journal