Dominic Longcroft charts a new course

ADVERTORIAL

Dominic Longcroft made his first acquaintance with Gstaad and Saanenland when he was a student at Le Rosey. His English parents—also frequent guests of the region—had acquired a chalet in Gstaad in 1980, after their son was accepted by the renowned boarding school. The enthusiasm that Longcroft felt for the region that was kindled at that time has proved enduring. In 2000, after completing his business education in England and after 15 years running his own marketing, services, catering, and public relations business in London, he relocated to Saanenland, and took up residence in an apartment in Lauenen.

Cooperating online
In 2001, Longcroft founded the firm Gstaad Real Estate Services and launched the first Gstaad-based internet platform for real estate at www.gstaadrealestateservices.ch . This pioneering site brought together the region’s real estate agents online for the first time. In 2004, Longcroft merged with Consulta, a local real estate firm run by Martin Göppert, and together they co-founded Gstaad Business, offering a wide range of services related to internet-based and traditional real estate sales and rentals, administration, consulting, and marketing.

New direction
In July of this year, following a restructuring, Longcroft bought out Göppert and took over sole management of Gstaad Business. The sale and rental of properties has come together in a single entity, operating under the brands Gstaad Immobilien, www.gstaadimmobilien.com and Lauenen Immobilien, www.lauenenimmobilien.com  The company, Gstaad Business, now administers multi-faceted services that include property administration, management, cleaning, security monitoring, preparation of rentals and more. Longcroft remains the strategic and operational manager of this family of companies, and the corporate motto remains the same: ‘Passion for real estate – transparency, openness and high quality service’.

Gstaad, Lauenen, Gsteig
Today, the sale offerings list features approximately 30 properties in the region, situated across Saanenland and the adjacent Pays d’Enhaut. While offerings in and around Gstaad have become exclusive and expensive rarities, opportunities in surrounding areas have become increasingly attractive. Key among them, Lauenen has become one of the up-and-coming villages of the region.  Longcroft’s new enterprise, Lauenen Immobilien, is the first real estate agency in Lauenen, and is located next to the Tourism Office and Saanen Bank. Longcroft also considers Gsteig and the Pays d’Enhaut to be insiders’ tips and further focal points for development in the region: “The prices are more affordable, access from the western part of Switzerland is quicker, and the restrictions there are not as stringent as those in other communes,” he says.

Against the decay of farmhouses
Longcroft is a firm believer in the preservation and livability of farmhouses. The amalgamation and enlargement of farming businesses has had the effect of reducing the number of farmhouses that are needed for agriculture. “Instead of a slow decay of these beautiful buildings, the transformation and use of these structures is definitely a better way to go. It is important that the buildings’ structures are preserved.” Longcroft also supports the zoning plan requirements of the communes. “One must have a balance between year-round residents and secondary home owners. A large segment of the real estate market is needed as housing for employees. Zones for local residents could mitigate this problem.”

The service department
Now distinct from the property business, Gstaad Business is a dedicated service firm with a wide offering of facilities. Trained personnel focus on all administrative tasks related to property administration and rentals, including control and security, coordination of property and garden care during absences, provisions, transfers, organization of events, as well as cleaning services.

Content coworkers – content customers
Longcroft employs five full-time employees in the three business divisions. In addition, four housekeepers and 15 part-time employees are in the company’s service. Since the customers of Gstaad Immobilien, Lauenen Immobilien and Gstaad Business come from all five continents, language competency is both an advantage and a necessity, and the multicultural origins of the team ensure that eight languages are spoken. Longcroft demands flexibility, creativity, and decision-making capability, while also giving trust and responsibility to his colleagues and offering the space to develop initiative: “Satisfaction is an important condition for a good and professional customer service.”

Dominic Longcroft with his team: (from left) Ursula Bogatzki, Jasmin Adler, Carmen Jufer, Anna Miller.

Gstaad Snowsport sponsorship
Gstaad Business is happy with the many major events-- such as tennis, beach volleyball, polo, the Menuhin and Country festivals--that take place in the region and will continue to support them. Such events lend a vibrant and attractive image to Saanenland. Longcroft will also continue to support various youth ski activities in the area, as he was an active junior ski racer during his time at le Rosey. He will also serve as main sponsor of Gstaad Snowsports.

GstaadImmobilien
Chalet Les Arcades, 3780 Gstaad
Tel. +41.748 04 00, Fax +41.748 04 02
www.gstaadimmobilien.ch

LauenenImmobilien
Dorf, 3782 Lauenen
Tel +41.748 04 00, Fax +41.748 04 02
www.lauenenimmobilien.ch

GstaadBusiness
Chalet Les Arcades, 3780 Gstaad
Tel. +41.748 04 00, Fax +41.748 04 02
www.gstaadbusiness.com