~ William: It brings out best of St. Maarten ~
CUPECOY--When Porto Cupecoy is fully operational, it is expected to create jobs for over 200 residents, Leader of Government Commissioner William Marlin told the large group of persons who attended the grand opening of the US $150 million property Friday evening.
The Orient Express Hotels property is a luxury seaside village featuring 182 apartments and 20 retail spaces which include four restaurants, a supermarket, boutiques, pharmacy, hair salon and other establishments in which primarily local persons will be employed. Work will also be created in maintenance, housekeeping, in management and in its luxury marina and in other areas.
Marlin said the property, whose upscale apartments combine European elegance with Caribbean flavours, is unique as it does not resemble any other property here. "The setting in which it is has brought out the best of St. Maarten," Marlin said.
Porto Cupecoy Project Director Bernard Sarme went a step further saying that he was so confident in the sturdiness of the property that he is not concerned about hurricanes or earthquakes. "We have quite a few thousand tonnes of concrete below ground and above ground and...I do not care if there is an earthquake or a hurricane, it will never move. You can buy this place and feel quite secure," Sarme declared.
Marlin, who helped to cut the ribbon to officially open the property, described Porto Cupecoy as "magnificent."
He was high in praises to the developer for having confidence in local contractors, about nine of whom, along with several sub contractors and other resident workers, helped construct the property.
Marlin said government would like to build a police substation in the Lowlands/Cupecoy area and said Sarme had assured him that he will speak to property owners in the area on the possibilities of obtaining a location for this to be realised. Marlin said this will be a "win, win, win," situation.
Calling the project an "important development," Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Orient Express, Filip Boyen, said the project had taken five years and "more than a few grey hairs" to become a reality. He said he was proud of the achievement and he was thankful to the people and the government of St. Maarten and grateful to the developer for the fantastic work. "I’ve travelled all over the world and I can say there is a special sense of excitement in St. Maarten that bodes well for the future of the island and for the continued success of this project," he said.
Sarme said it had been a "long battle" to bring the project to reality and a lot of people had given him "grey hairs." He said the goal is to eventually create a shopping centre at the property to help complete the all-inclusive setting and to avoid traffic woes. "I figured if I have a nice place here with nice shops and nice parking, people won’t have to travel to Philipsburg and Marigot; we can have everything here under one roof," he said.
He was high in praises to those who helped to bring the project to reality, including the team from Energiser N.V., whom he said completed their last building hours before the opening, in keeping with their word that they will complete it.
Over 70 per cent of the apartments have also been sold, Vice President Director of Global Real Estate Phillip Geus told The Daily Herald.
Porto Cupecoy embodies the characteristics of a true Mediterranean village with high-end shopping, dining, services and amenities, in addition to residences and a luxury marina.
Porto Cupecoy embodies the characteristics of a true Mediterranean village with high-end shopping, dining, services and amenities, in addition to its residences and marina.
The architectural inspiration for the property is Portofino, located on the Italian Riviera, and the community is similarly anchored around a marina, the most exclusive and upscale on the island.
The marina has a unique structure in that the majority of yacht slips will be owned by the community’s residents and rented on their behalf by the marina management, when they are not in use. The prices for yacht slips, including mega yacht slips up to 200 feet in length, range from US $150,000 to US $3 million.
Homeowners will be able to enjoy a wide range of on-site amenities, including tennis courts, swimming pools, several dining options, as well as concierge and "white-glove" marina services. For residents interested in renting out their home or boat slip while not in use, the community has its own dedicated professional on-site vacation rental management programme, which will create hassle-free rental revenue for owners. The beach is immediately across the street, 50 yards from the community’s entrance.
