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This Caribbean-Aruban styled mansion was erected
between 1922 and 1925. It contained the physicians' practice and private
residence of Doctor Eloy Arends. |
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The members of the Arends family had been
living in Aruba since the middle of the nineteenth century, and as
successful businessmen they were considered to be leading residents on
the island. Eloy Arends, who had studied medicine in Amsterdam upon his return to Aruba, became the first official government physician, thus breaking with the family professional tradition. The house could literally be considered an open house, as folding walls inside the residence allowed a flexible use of indoor spaces. |
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In 1986 the estate was sold to the
government of Aruba, together with the adjacent Hotel Colombia building
with the stipulation that both the buildings would be restored. Over the
years the building fell into ruin and later the roof was destroyed
beyond repair by a large fire, and only ruins remained. It was restored and combined with the Hotel Colombia building into a new Aruba town hall complex, and currently houses a council hall and function spaces for the performance of civil marriage ceremonies on Aruba. |
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Dream Weddings Aruba tel. +297-5643289 - 5656872 Fax 5875991 E-Mail dreamweddingsaruba@gmail.com all pictures ©2007-2008 Robert Arenz. All rights reserved |