In 1955 Mr. Erik LAWAETZ of St Croix, U.S Virgin Islands, purchased approximately eleven hundred acres of land located on both the French and Dutch sides of St Martin The area called “The Lowlands”. The area extended from Mullet Bay Beach Hotel on the Dutch side to the western boundary of La Belle Creole on the French side. It is almost an island, the greater part of it being French, bordered by the Caribbean, the Atlantic and Simpson Bay Lagoon.

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Mr. LAWAETZ was able to acquire title despite the very complicated laws governing inheritance and ownership of property. The entire French section was deeded over from the family of Madame Henri VIALENC and deeds to the Dutch part came from two owners, the BEAUPERTHUY family and a member of the PETERSEN family. LAWAETZ also discovered that, in accordance with a law governing French possessions throughout the world, a “zone des 50 pas geometrique” traditionally known as “the 50 steps of the King” or “Domaine land”, a distance of 81 meters from mean high TIDE on all property bordering the water, was reserved by the Government for defense and/or maritime purposes. Mr. LAWAETZ went to Paris accompanied by Elie FLEMING, then Mayor of St Martin. They were successful in persuading the French authorities to deed the “Domaine land” to Mr. LAWAETZ in 1959 -- a ruling without precedence.

Sales of building lots and larger areas for subdivisions were begun my Mr. LAWAETZ immediately. A few of these properties are still in the hands of the original buyers. In 1957 he filed development plans with the Dutch and French governments. The Dutch never approved the plan with the result that, in the course of time, multiple housing units have been constructed on the Dutch side properties. On the French side a Landowners Association was formed in 1961 and registered in Delaware. In October 1963, the French present the ‘Cahier des Charges’ which are covenants and deed restrictions for the area known as the Terres Basses (or the French Lowlands).

Some of the most important rules and regulations for the Terres Basses are:

• The owners of all lots shall join an association of which each purchaser shall be considered legally obligated to become a member by the solo fact of his purchase. The Association called ASSOCIAIION SYNDICALE des PROPRIETAIRES des TERBES BASSES IS authorized by the French government to enforce the Cahier des Charges.
• The zoning regulation requires one (1) hectare (2.117 acres) per dwelling. No subdivision beyond this is permitted.
• Each lot shall contain one story main house ; secondary structures for garage or servant quarters are permitted. EXPRESSELY forbidden are two main dwellings per lot, containing separate family units.

The purposes of the Association are to create and preserve the Terres Basses section of St Martin as a harmonious and attractive residential community for the benefit of all landowners., and to provide for the maintenance, repair and development of roads, beach lots and other common facilities.

It is hard to imagine the condition of the roads in the Lowlands from 1957 through 1963. Little was done to improve these roads until 1963, when the directors hired a contractor, bought road building equipment and built the base for what is now known as the International road. In 1968 the Association turned over the road to the Government, but it was not until 1975 that it was paved. The remaining French roads belong to the Association which is responsible for yearly repair and maintenance.

The BY-LAWS of the Association and the Cahier des Charges have been adhered to with very few exceptions - a fact that reflects the strong desire on the part of’ the overwhelming majority of’ the members to maintain the Terres Basses section of’ the Island in the manner for which it was originally conceived. It is this conception which has led to the tremendous appreciation of values and to the recognition of’ the Terres Basses section of St Martin as one of’ the most desirable living areas in all of’ the Caribbean.

While almost exclusively American in the beginning and through most of its formative years, the membership is becoming increasingly international.

The area known as Cupecoy in Sint Maarten stretches from the end of the golf course property in Mullet Bay to the French/Dutch border. It is bordered by the Caribbean Ocean on one side with the beautiful and often photographed Cupecoy Beach and the Simpson Bay Lagoon on the other.
Sometimes referred to as the ‘Gold Coast’ of St. Maarten – perhaps for the golden sandstone cliffs of Cupecoy and perhaps for some of the recent development making this the prime area on the island.

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Currently under construction are Porto Cupecoy and The Blue Mall. Both are very exciting and excellent additions to the area. Porto Cupecoy is a European inspired marina village offering cafes, bistros, restaurants, designer boutiques and private residences with all the amenities of a luxury resort.
The Blue Mall adds a tremendous new dimension to the island of St. Maarten/St. Martin with it’s international appeal and it’s unique and beautiful design. When complete the Blue Mall will include about 85 boutique shops, 10 fine restaurants, and a supermarket while Blue Residence will be 34 stunning apartments.
The recently completed residential community of Shore Pointe at Cupecoy offers exclusive beachfront individual homes within walking distance of all the amenities in the area.
Cupecoy also includes many fine restaurants, the exciting Atlantis Casino, other private homes and condominiums. With these latest additions Cupecoy / Dutch Lowlands definitely deserves it’s Gold Coast reputation.

The area of St. Martin known as the Terres Basses consists of about 330 lots. They are located in separate sections some of which are The Residences of Baie Rouge, Mont Rouge, Anse aux Ajacoux, Falaise des Oiseaux and others. Currently, 313 lots are owned by individuals or companies, and 13 lots are properties owned by the Association. There are three beautiful beaches located within the Terres Basses. They are Baie Longue (the beach at La Samanna), Plum Baie and Baie Rouge. Two of the association lots are known as ‘beach lots' and create beautiful access to Baie Longue Beach as well as to Plum Baie Beach.
Many of the private homes built in Terres Basses serve as vacation rental properties, others are privately used by their owners, who are primarily of French or US origin.

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Currency
St. Maarten’s official currency, the Antillean Guilder is pegged to the US Dollar at $1.00 to 1.78 Antillean guilders (NAF). St. Martin’s official currency is the Euro. Many retailers and restaurants will advertise discounted exchange rates to the US Dollar. US Dollars are accepted virtually everywhere.

Economy
The economy of St. Maarten is almost entirely based on tourism. According to surveys, almost 90% of all employment on the island is directly or indirectly related to tourism. Aside from tourism, some of the other forms of major economic activity on the island are trade and financial services with other neighboring islands. St. Maarten has one of the highest per-capita incomes in all of the Caribbean.
St. Maarten produces very little consumable goods and products. The government of the island is looking for new and better ways of diversifying the economy, especially with any industry that would uphold the main economic activity and would not harm tourism. The government of St. Maarten is presently involved with zoning plans that will restrict an area of the island only for the manufacturing and light industry and another areas for heavy industry. Once this takes place, efforts will be made to attract other industries.

Travel
The newly renovated Princess Juliana Airport is the 2nd busiest in the Caribbean with multiple flights to and from neighboring islands, almost daily flights to a dozen US cities, Paris and Amsterdam and excellent FBO services. Simpson Bay Lagoon is the largest inland lagoon & harbor in the Caribbean and has become home port for many of the largest luxury mega yachts in the world. Provisioning for private aircraft and yachts is a booming business. And St. Maarten’s latest upgrades to the Cruise Ship Piers and Front Street make it a “must call” port in the Caribbean.
Grand Case Airport – officially known as L’Esperance is smaller than Princess Juliana Airport and is serviced by commuter airlines such as Air Antilles (to Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe), Air Caraibes (to Fort de France, Martinque and Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe) and Saint Barth Commuter. Ferry service to neighboring islands is available at the Marigot Harbour as well as locations on the Dutch side.

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Call This Island Paradise your Home?
Known for years as the Caribbean's most exciting vacation destinations, the island has now been discovered by upscale real estate buyers and investors and is fast developing into one of the world's most prestigious locations to own a residence. In fact an ever increasing number of Europeans and Americans are choosing to make this Caribbean island their home. Drawn by its relaxed Caribbean attitude and sophisticated European lifestyle, who wouldn’t want to own a piece of land on this paradise?

Real Estate Values
Resales of single family homes and upscale condominiums in both the Dutch and the French Lowlands are increasing consistently – often a property purchased only a couple of years ago turns out to be a wise investment.

Dutch Side/French Side
Development on the French side Lowlands is governed by restrictive covenants and has retained much wildlife and natural beauty. Development in the Dutch side Lowlands is booming with luxurious ocean front villas, a Mediterranean style ‘village’ and an International Mall. Both sides of the island depend on each other, but nowhere on the island is it possible to enjoy the breathtakingly beautiful nature of the island and at the same time have moments access to the non-stop entertainment, dining, shopping and international flair of this two Sovereign nation.
St. Maarten/St. Martin is the smallest island in the world to be shared by two sovereign powers and it has been that way since 1648 when France and the Netherlands signed a partition treaty. However, over the years people of many different nationalities have made their home on the island and have influenced its development. Many languages can be heard but English is almost universal. Nevertheless, there is a distinctly different “feel” to each side of the island, which makes for added interest and a one of a kind charm.

Culinary Capital
Because St. Martin has become the culinary capital of the Caribbean there is no shortage of excellent restaurants and food choices at markets and upscale grocery stores plus an excellent selection of wines from most wine producing regions of the world.
With daily flights from France, Holland and the USA – and with perishable food cargo often taking priority - there is an astounding array of wonderful European and American foods available on the island. In addition St. Maarten/St. Martin is home to many of the finest restaurants in the Caribbean.

France and the Netherlands have shared this haven of sand, sea and sun peacefully for more than three centuries.
The Dutch call it Sint Maarten and on the French side the signs say Saint Martin. Not that there is a particularly obvious separation. You can drive, or walk, over a border untended and unmarked except for a sign of welcome to one country or the other.