Compagnie des Alpes (CDA), in association with Chaplin Museum Development (CMD) and Genii Capital, are to open a museum in Corsier-sur-Vevey dedicated to the life and works of Charlie Chaplin.
Chaplin's World by Grévin will open in spring 2016.
CDA, a major player in the European leisure industry, was chosen by the Genii Capital and CMD consortium to operate the museum under the "Chaplin’s World" brand. It will open in spring 2016 at the Manoir de Ban, Charlie Chaplin's home for 25 years, owned by the consortium. CDA will also have the right to use the "Charlie Chaplin" and "Chaplin’s World" brands to develop the museum in terms of museography and temporary exhibitions.
CDA will invest CHF9.5m (EUR7.9m) in this development, which will include stage design and wax figures.
The Genii Capital and CMD consortium, which has owned the site since 2008, will be in charge of building the new museum. The investment represents over CHF31m (EUR25m).
The project has also received backing from Canton de Vaud in the form of an economic development support loan of CHF10m (EUR8.2m), guaranteed by ten towns located near the museum. Their commitment demonstrates the project's importance in economic and cultural terms as a tourist attraction.
The project was initiated by Chaplin Museum Development, represented by Philippe Meylan and Yves Durand, and joined in 2008 by Genii Capital. In addition to obtaining the required permits for the project, these partners also gained unique access to the artist's and his family's estate through Roy Export and Bubbles Incorporated, the companies that own the rights for Chaplin's work, archives and image.
Dominique Marcel, CEO of the CDA: "I am very happy that this very promising partnership has been established. The uniting of Chaplin's World and Grévin is multi-layered, driven by the desire to combine culture and entertainment. This combination strengthens and expands the internationalisation strategy put in place by the group for the Grévin brand."
Eric Lux, CEO of Genii Capital, says: "We are excited to be involved in the creation of the first museum dedicated to the most popular artist of the 20th century. Thanks to the support of Charlie Chaplin's successors, this museum will boast the finest collection of his work. This exceptional project also shows Genii Capital's commitment, with the support of its partners, to undertake ambitious projects even in unexpected areas."
