Hidden behind the lush trees and colorful bougainvillea lies this grand mansion at Hoogstraat 51. You would not expect that the elegant rounded steps lead up to a building with nineteen separate spaces – not counting the bathrooms, kitchen and traffic areas. The space has been previously used as an inpatient facility, which means it could be easily set up to function as a hostel. It would be equally suitable to be used as an office space or for other business endeavors.

The main floor

As you enter, the former gallery and living room have been converted into a hallway with offices on either side. The hallway opens up into a large room where you can already envision a large wooden reading table – also flanked by offices on either side. The kitchen area is located in the modern patio annex. This also connects the east wing with the stairway leading down to the ground floor level. If you go towards the east wing you will find multiple bathrooms, as well as a spacious room with windows on three sides. Throughout this floor there are wooden floors and original moldings and window details.

The garden

When you stand in front of the building, you can also choose to stroll through the charming garden to the back of the building. First, you will encounter a storage space in the former water reservoir as you pass through an arched passage into the back yard. This feels like you are entering back into the 21st century. The paved space holds about four to six cars plus two under a covered carport. The back facade showcases the modern addition to the building, which was added during restoration.

The ground floor

The ground floor of Hoogstraat 51 can be accessed either from the main floor or from the back of the building. It consists of no less than eight private rooms. These former dormitories could accommodate one through six people. The rooms are centered around a shared space in the middle. This floor has two full bathrooms, which brings the total amount of bathrooms in the building to four.

The history

Hoogstraat 51 was originally built in 1886 as the residence of Jacob van Kleunen. He was the owner of the famous department store ‘La Elegancia’ on the Breedestraat in Otrobanda. The Curaçao Monument Foundation acquired the building in 1998, after it had stood abandoned for over a decade. The restoration was finalized in 2003, with the goal of making a living / lodging and commercial combination possible. This combination would not be the first time in the building’s history, as the front part was used as the office of the Combinatie Pletterij Nederhorst (CPN) for years, while its director lived in the back of the building.

Availability

Availability will be subject to pending maintenance and possible customization needed for your business concept.