TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums St. Maarten - St. Martin Latest Orient Beach Construction Update

The thing is, I'm not sure that would be fair, to open them piecemeal. How would one decide which restaurants get the first unit opened? Ones opening first will get income while the others are still closed, and that will never be made back..

My guess is that they will probably open up in blocks. Coming from the construction industry here you can't really have people (customers) walking around your job site. They will have to be able to keep a construction area fenced off from the public for production, safety, etc. Sometimes it also makes more sense (and quicker) to do certain parts of the project all together such as the exterior concrete, landscaping, etc. In fact many of the systems such as electrical and plumbing could probably be tied together between the individual units all needing to be completed before they open. Also if SXM operates anything like around here they will need to receive their final inspections from the "Building Department" before occupancy is allowed which usually happens when the work is 100% complete (or close). I could be way off on this but it is just my thoughts. Only time will tell the final answer.

That makes sense. Thanks.

The unit location should already have been chosen by each operator as is usually the case. I would think they would be assigned approximately in the same location as they previously were. Why would they punish everyone and make everyone wait? Orient might end up losing valuable tourist business if some of these beach bars are not open by high season.It might not seem fair to open in this manner, but life is not fair, and it really wasn't fair to close them all and rebuild according to the owners.

Agreed, life is not fair. I am not in construction at all, but mprevo's post does make sense to me, although who knows what will actually happen on SXM???

Thanks for posting the latest pics! Looks like one decent storm could do a lot of damage!? At this point, they don't look very sturdy.

Where are all of the cruise ship people going? Hopefully not to club O!!!!

There are six or seven other beach bars on Orient.

The plans called for seawalls and you can see the trench for the first one in one of the photos. That will help but big wind is going to take them down along with most of the rest. It almost looks like they are planning for the above slab structures to be expendable and easy to replace???

Not sure what the seawall will help? Look at Papagayos'(sp).There was no beach at all until they filled it in this past year. The building was acting like a seawall. and there was no beach. If that happens with this seawall the businesses will be cut off and noone could get to Pedro's and further south. Of course SXMBEACHLOVER might like that, if I'm taking what he said correctly. LOL

I doubt that is a sea wall you see. It looks to me like it will be the footings for the deck that will extend from the restaurants.

Based on this rendering it looks to be a bit of both.

What are the names of the remaining beach bars on Orient Beach?

Every time I look at that rendering of the new construction, I'm torn between liking the newness and yet wanting the original, kitschy, bohemian look that was there.

Kon Tiki, Bikini Beach, Waikaki, La Playa, Co Co Beach.

Pedro;s, Perch

...and Kakao and Palm Beach, as well as the restaurants in Orient Village.

Pedros, Kon Tiki, Kakao, Waikiki, Bikini, La Playa, Coco, and Palm Beach.

Thank you !

Thank you !

Thanks, Mike and Sandy !

those are old photos

Thankyou ! As usual, this forum is quick and helpful.

Sorry, which photos are old?? The original photos in the thread are oldER, yes, but the most recent photos are only a couple of days old,, I think..

If you've got more recent photos than have been posted here so far, would love to see them!!!!

Please tell me Orange Fever will also be part of the "new" Orient Beach! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

We regularly go to SXM the last 2 weeks of February and meet and eat with many friends at the Orange place. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" />

I don't know of anyone on this board that has claimed to know who is coming back but there are known to be 8 restaurant "slots" in the new development.

I know there are some people here on Orient now. Any update on the construction?

I'm not on Island, but I saw pics posted from yesterday. Roofs were being put on late yesterday afternoon. There is also a large trench dug with large rocks forming the sea wall in front of the units. The rebar that was shown in a previous photo is being used in that wall. Starting to look really nice.

Could not fix the link directly to display, but here is the link for the photo:

Orient Construction new photo

I just tried to post a picture. All I see is the embedded code. Anyone see a picture?

No picture Beth

I was able to fix a link to the photo for you.

I have several more. How can I fix the link on my side?

Here are some more current pics. These were taken on Wednesday.





















[img]http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag110/mprevo/Construction%204/3_zpsxnuy1hfl.jpg[/img]

[img]http://i1301.photobucket.com/albums/ag110/mprevo/Construction%204/2_zpsfr8au99m.jpg[/img]

Hi. Thanks for posting!! We just received some other pictures by email this morning and will be posting those later.