TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin New construction next to Karakters

I saw a FB post about a new building going up next to Karakters. Anyone know what it is?

I don’t think it’s much of anything. If it’s what I think you’re talking about it’s an old house foundation from prior to hurricane Leny in 1999 that maybe they’re starting to work on again. Personally I think that end of the beach is already over developed with that beach bar in the bus business and the
parking nightmare they create. I guess residential wouldn’t be that bad but definitely no more businesses down there please.

Topper was going to put a 4 or 6 unit residential building there, is what I was told.

It was just next to El Zafiro that Topper was putting up those units.

phillygirl--your two posts are contradictory, in that El Zafiro is nowhere near Karakter, other than also being on Simpson Bay Beach. But you are correct that Topper is building those units next to El Zafiro, as the sign has his picture on it.

...all of which has nothing to do with whatever is being built next to Karakter.

I have no clue who is building what next to Karakter but I seem to recall a heck of a fuss when Jorritt, the original Karakter owner, was trying to extend his patio area. Wasn’t he made to tear it down because he breached the high water line?

This has been conflated.

Toppers empty lot with nothing happening yet is next to El Zafiro

The "construction" next to Karakters is actually where a concrete foundation USED to be, but it appears they are starting something up again. That foundation was there for years and came/went with sand and storm surges. It is where people park for Karakters, between them and Mary's Boon.
Several years ago fishermen used to stand next to that foundation/wall and Karakters would cook them up what they caught.

OK, well, I learned something today. Had to google "conflated"...

And to 'conflate' this topic further, it actually looked like to me that there had been something started there next to El Zafiro, as of October this year. ...unless I have 'conflated' where Toppers' construction was supposed to be!

Pat--Yes, Jorrit was made to take down something he built, can't remember exactly what it was..

Yeah, I was wrong about Topper and Karakter nearby property, I quickly corrected it to say El Zafiro. Maybe he has other projects or problems getting a permit -- maybe more likely. And another Simpson Bay restaurant that has to find another location, maybe that has been his main efforts of late.

I doubt he will start building untill he gets some preconstruction takers.

The FB post was about construction west of Karakters, toward BSV.

Is this building that's being discussed located between Beachside Villas and Karakters or after Karakters?

Between karakters and Mary’s boon. It’s an old foundation that has not been rebuilt in years. Probably an old fishing shed from back in the day.

Topper has started the Drake project next to El Zafiro as pilings have been put in for the foundation. El Zifaro may have conflicts with the beach area once the Drake gets built as they now have a fence and at night store their beach chairs in the area where the Drake will be located. The potential owners of the Drake Condos will have to deal with the tourist buses and groups who frequent El Zafiro when cruise ships are in.

OK, I am going to close this one here, as obviously no one knows the answer to the question. My understanding is that the Nature Foundation had raised a question about a structure being constructed BETWEEN MARY'S BOON AND KARAKTER, probably on the site of what used to be a house from a long time ago, possibly pre-Luis. All of this talk of Drake Residences has nothing to do with the subject of the Nature Foundation's complaint.