The Housing of the Government Apparatus
January 5, 2025
Since 2010, several important government buildings in Curaçao have been left to deteriorate. The former island territory government building and the lieutenant governor’s residence are prime examples of this neglect. Iconic structures like the public library and the national theater, Sentro Pro Arte, similarly fall into disrepair. This decay reflects a broader issue: a lack of vision for the government’s housing strategy.
Before 2010, all ministers were based in Fort Amsterdam. Today, they are scattered across the island in their respective ministries, while the Council of Ministers meets weekly in Fort Amsterdam. A large portion of the civil service is now housed in the World Trade Center (WTC), which the government rents at high costs. Ironically, the WTC was once government property but was privatized for a fraction of its value. Now, it is leased back at premium rates to accommodate civil servants. This situation exemplifies a troubling trend: the government neglects its own buildings in favor of costly long-term rental agreements, often with politically connected landlords.
Meanwhile, the government also occupies historic monuments in Willemstad, part of the UNESCO World Heritage list. These buildings require careful maintenance and cannot afford to remain empty. Yet, there is little indication of a coherent plan to address this challenge. Instead, ambitious, vague dreams of constructing a single tower to house all government employees occasionally resurface. However, these plans fail to account for the fate of the vacant buildings.
Globally and locally, office spaces are becoming less essential due to advancements in connectivity and technology. Yet Curaçao’s government appears to operate without a clear strategy for leveraging these trends. Decisions about government housing seem haphazard and lack foresight.
A thoughtful vision is urgently needed. One solution could be to house the government within historical monuments, integrating modern ICT solutions to streamline operations. This approach would preserve cultural heritage, reduce dependency on costly rentals, and optimize government efficiency. Crucially, such a strategy would require clear plans to repurpose or maintain any vacated buildings to avoid further decay.
The time for “just doing something” is over. Curaçao needs a strategic approach to government housing that respects its heritage, manages resources wisely and embraces modern technological possibilities.
Miguel Goede
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