Construction Begins on Student Housing in Oranjestad
ORANJESTAD – As part of the renovation project of the former Public Prosecutor’s Office, which is included in the broader renovation and revitalization of downtown Oranjestad, construction officially began on February 9, 2026, on a new student housing complex in the city center.
The realization of this project marks an important step in the government’s objective to revitalize downtown Oranjestad through the renovation of buildings and infrastructure.
At the groundbreaking ceremony, attendees included Prime Minister Mike Eman, Minister of Education Gerlien Croes, Minister of Finance Geoffrey Wever, and Minister of Infrastructure René Herde. Also present were FCCA directors Julie Wever and Giovanni Anthony, University of Aruba Rector Sue-Ann Lee, the contractor CH, and architect Raffy Kock.
“This building stood vacant for many years. To revitalize downtown Oranjestad, the government, at my request, decided to transfer the building to FCCA, on the condition that FCCA convert it into a student housing facility with approximately 25 student apartments and space on the ground floor for a bar or restaurant. Once completed, approximately 25 students will reside in downtown Oranjestad, creating a completely new atmosphere in our city center. Our vision is for people to live in Oranjestad, and with this project, we are demonstrating that we are putting that vision into action,” said Minister Geoffrey Wever.
Since 2022, the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector, FCCA, and the University of Aruba have reached an agreement under which the Government of Aruba transfers the former Public Prosecutor’s Office building in downtown Oranjestad to FCCA. FCCA will renovate the building into student housing, enabling students from Oranjestad and the University of Aruba to live in the city center, close to the university.
Minister Wever thanked FCCA for its confidence in the vision to revitalize downtown Oranjestad and for taking on the challenge of converting the building into student housing. He also expressed gratitude to the University of Aruba for participating in the project, all aimed at revitalizing downtown Oranjestad.