The government of Saint Martin is advancing a range of real estate projects aimed at leveraging recent growth in tourism to boost the local economy. According to Alain Richardson, Saint Martin’s First Vice President and CEO of Semsamar, a prominent real estate developer, the territory is focusing on expanding hospitality offerings and residential infrastructure.
Richardson noted that the government has introduced policies to meet the increasing demand for boutique hotels, villas, and short-term rentals, with plans to add at least 1,200 new hotel rooms within three to four years. Alongside hospitality sector expansion, the government aims to build 1,800 new homes over the next six years to address housing needs for both residents and international buyers. Upgrading essential infrastructure such as water and electricity networks is also a priority.
Semsamar, established in 1985 and majority owned by the Saint Martin government, plays a central role in these developments. The company operates across four French Caribbean territories—including Guadeloupe, Martinique, and French Guiana—focusing on urban planning, social housing, and facilitating public and private investment. Semsamar’s recent projects include luxury ocean-view villas and apartments in Grand Case, and a planned 160-unit residential development in Chevrise slated to begin this year. Nearly 50 units in Chevrise will be allocated as affordable ownership housing.
In addition to residential construction, Semsamar engages in developing supporting commercial and public facilities, including police stations and senior citizens’ homes. Richardson highlighted the company’s involvement in reshaping the entrance to Marigot, Saint Martin’s capital, by enabling infrastructure upgrades and creating new commercial spaces. The company is also negotiating acquisitions to establish new electricity and water plants, and plans to develop a technopole to foster growth in the territory’s digital and technology sectors.
Richardson emphasized Semsamar’s four decades of experience and comprehensive expertise in real estate development as key factors enabling its role in these complex projects. The company benefits from government-backed skills training initiatives targeting growth industries such as construction and hospitality. He characterized Saint Martin as an attractive destination for investors due to its stability, adherence to international standards, strategic location, and investor-friendly policies.
On the Dutch side of the island, known as Sint Maarten, the real estate market is also seeing increased activity and growing interest from investors. Zev Mandelbaum, president and CEO of Altree Developments—a Toronto-based developer—said the island is entering a new phase focused on luxury hotels and residences, citing Altree’s Vie L’Ven Setai-branded resort and residential project as part of this trend. Meanwhile, Arun Jagtiani, owner of Island Real Estate Team, described Sint Maarten as “a safe, easy destination” for property buyers with potential for appreciation, pointing to luxury developments like Ocean Residences as indicators of an expanding high-end market.
Overall, both the French and Dutch sides of the island appear poised for significant real estate growth, driven by tourism recovery and strategic development initiatives.