ABOUT ST BARTHS
A mere eight square miles of volcanic land and arid soil comprise the isle of St.Barths, an inarguably resplendent, highly coveted destination spot among tastemakers, celebrities and discriminating travelers from across the world. Despite a huge surge in popularity, it remains unspoiled and pristine - a quirky isle marked by charm, rich history, natural beauty and understated elegance.
The landscape is quite dramatic ; craggy coastline hover over crystalline seas, stretches of white sand beach yawn out to sweeps of cliffs. Below is Gastavia, the horseshoe-shaped port where pirates, merchants and mariners once held court. While bustling with mega-yachts and a boisterous nightlife in high-season, the lush and hilly terrain is freckled with villas shrouded in privacy.
Now peopled primarily by descendents of the original French settlers and transplanted Europeans, the island has played host to an eclectic cast since the Arawak Indians – from explorers, plunderers, renegades, displaced mariners and convicts to impresarios, Old Hollywood, and throngs of others.
In a place where agriculture could not thrive, settlers were often displaced, flux and uncertainty reigned. Changing sovereigns and morphing identities characterized its legacy as the island was passed off between kings, as if a trading possession. In turn, the island’s history is prismatic, with a legacy that runs from tribal Amerindians to Rockefellers.
It was a tropical stash box for pirate-plundered booty and a battleground for warring tribes; a thriving port during colonial wars, a playground for last Gilded Age , among others. Through the vagaries of this history, the island gained an authenticity and rich cultural weave , and more recently, liberated itself from the administrative yoke of Guadeloupe.
SOME RECENT HISTORY
Started a new era with the arrival of Remy de Haenen was a pivotal moment. Known as gentleman, lunatic, smuggler, activist, Playboy, renegade and aviator, the eccentric soon-to-be-mayor arrived on St.Barths with a brazen entrance in 1946, when, without warning, he landed his two seat toy plane among herding goats and ogling natives.
A steward of innovation, Rémy de Haenen purchased a small property for $200 soon after, which would become the legendary Eden’s Rock hotel. In the 1950s, tourists slowly started arriving at the tiny airport on small planes and private jets. That precarious strip of grass remained a makeshift runway for visitors until it was finally paved in the 70s.
In the past, outsiders came to St. Barths as a refuge. They valued privacy and detachment. They were interesting people, often eccentric, and preferred simplicity and meagerness to the hazards and resources of the wider world.
This elitist edge and surge in tourism began in the 1950s, the last Gilded Age. In the 1970's. A coterie of pedigree families, celebrities and adventure-seeking tastemakers established a presence. The first Gilded Age brought Greta Garbo, Jacques Cousteau and Howard Hughes to the island. Rockefeller and Rothschild’s came too, and bought land to develop. Over time the tasteful combination of Gallic chic, imported gourmet groceries, and tropical climate proved irresistible. A whole new generation of emigrants came, opening boutiques and restaurants, building hotels and villas.
But quick-thinking islanders created laws limiting mass tourism to guard their hard-earned lifestyle; as a result, you won’t see casinos, high-rise hotels or fast-food chains. To this day, the runway is a mere 1400 feet, restricting commercial aircraft. Only helicopters and toy planes can land. High property values and strict preservation laws work to keep this boisterous resort island pristine.
Today, St. Barths is among the quirkiest of all Caribbean islands. Topless Gauloise-smoking Parisians mingle with old Hollywood, bonnet clad natives speak in old Norman as Russian royalty hold court nearby. A once-quiet, sheltered harbor, pirate’s asylum, boisterous free port, the area is now overrun with mega-yachts in high season. No doubt the stock of this paradise has done nothing but appreciate, with its roster of $1,000-a-night hotels, restaurants, boutiques, and nightclubs.
Still, locals recall a simpler time - before telephones or electricity, when there was one automobile and 5,000 donkeys and it took a month to get a lemon from Europe.
Virgin landscapes and charmed ports remain. Although teeming with luxury yachts and throngs of nightclubbing pedestrians in high season, a quiet villa perched on highlands renders you invisible. The island maintains a casual elegance, a level of taste uncompromised and a chic retreat of luxury is one without pretense.
ABOUT MARLA
When French born Bertrand Labouerie landed on St Barths in 1971, there was no proper airport, just a makeshift runway and a large tree under which people drank champagne. Corks were sprawled across the ground, among soaring cliffs and white beaches.
The atmosphere was completely surreal, inarguably authentic and teeming with energy. He immediately fell in love with the island and bought a second home, which he rented during the winter months. He then lived on the island in 1978-79 and again in 1993-94 before settling there permanently in 1998 and opening his villa rental and real estate company.
Seduced by the wonderful climate, low-key atmosphere and understated beauty and class of the island, Bertrand Labouerie created MARLA VILLAS to provide travelers with that unique St Barths experience that first enticed him in 1971.
MARLA VILLAS office is ideally located in Gustavia, the capital of St Barths. It is a French Real Estate Company licensed by the French department of Saint Martin : license n 09.004 T/G and guaranteed by SOCAF financial group.
VILLA RENTAL SERVICE
MARLA VILLAS represents 120 villas, from the simple beach cottage with clapboard shutters to mountain perched spaces yada yada . Unlike other real estate companies on St.Barths, MARLA VILLAS is a small-scale, family-owned company that focuses on tailoring the villa experience to each client.
Among the vast array of clients are artists and thinkers, privacy seekers, families, honeymooners and impresarios. We aim to understand each client and according to the taste and demands, needs and sentiments, sculpt an ideal villa rental experience.
As a small business, we pride ourselves on outstanding customer service, offering the comfort and privacy of a villa experience with extensive concierge services. Discretion is integral to the MARLA VILLAS edict, as privacy is an invaluable right of our clients. The company, much like the charm of the island, strives for understated elegance and seeks to maintain a very low-profile.
REAL ESTATE
Should you choose to purchase property on St Barts, you've come to the right place!
Our knowledge of the Real Estate market as well as the legal specificities of the island will make buying your Saint Barts property a hassle-free experience. We will assist you through the entire process, provide counsel, recommend reliable partners (flexible banks & dedicated lawyers) insuring a successful proprietorship.
We are dedicated to providing the best financial and legal solutions to meet your requests.
After your purchase, we will handle all of the administrative formalities (electricity, water, telephone, insurance…).
PURCHASING PROCESS and FEES
When purchasing property, you (the buyer) are responsible for paying Notaire's statutory fees along with filing fees and registration fees (globally referred to as "transfer taxes").
Unlike the United States, there is in France a "Notaire" who is appointed and who acts essentially as a "Title Insurer”. He is responsible for the drafting and filing of the Deed. The Notaire's fees are set by statute and he is responsible for making certain that "Free and Clear Title" is transferred. After the receipt of a Statement of Recorder's liens from Guadeloupe, the Deed is signed and title transferred. The delay between signature of the Purchase Agreement and the Deed is generally about three (3) months.
Once a Seller and a Buyer have agreed on price, a Purchase and Sale Agreement is executed, at which time 10% of the purchase price is placed into the Notaire's escrow account as an earnest money deposit. In the event the purchaser decides not to buy, after all the conditions to a sale have been fulfilled, the earnest money deposit is forfeited. Any number of precedent conditions may be included in the sale, and the same can be used to protect the potential buyer from the loss of his earnest money deposit.
PROPERTY MANAGEMENT
Higly efficient and available, our team will advise you in conducting renovation work or resolving any specific issues you might encounter.
Our property management service is committed to meeting your requirements by offering a selection of the islands top professionals in a range of service at competitive rates :
- Maintenance, (house, garden and pool, etc.)
- Building works: from architect to site supervision
- Financial statements, (electricity, gas, water, telephone, maintenance contracts, etc.)
- Utility services, (water, post, telephone, gas/electricity, etc.)
- Tax and insurance
- Staff
We understand what it means to own a second home in a foreign country. We will expertly supervise the preparation of a personalized management plan that covers every aspect of your property, consistently striving to find solutions in your best interest.
We take pride in our excellent problem solving skills and high level of dependability.
Enjoy
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