Government Initiates Next Phase of Wilhelminastraat Revitalization
ORANJESTAD – The Government of Aruba is launching the next phase in the revitalization of downtown Oranjestad with the official signing of a contract with BK Consultant Civiel-Bouwkundig Advies Bureau N.V. to develop the comprehensive design for Wilhelminastraat and its surrounding neighborhood.
The project is being carried out through a collaboration between the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector; the Ministry of Infrastructure; and the Office of the Prime Minister.
With this signing and the presentation of the initial renderings, the government is moving the project from the vision and selection phase to the final design phase and the technical preparations necessary to subsequently proceed with the execution of the work.
The project is part of a broader vision to bring more life, economic activity, and investment back to the heart of Oranjestad. Urban revitalization is not just about beautifying streets. The goal is to create an urban environment where people want and are able to live, work, invest, shop, dine, visit, and spend time, and where business owners can identify opportunities to continue investing and growing.
Wilhelminastraat holds an important position in this vision. Historically, the area has combined residential, commercial, gastronomic, and social activities. The goal of the project is to strengthen the area's distinct character while simultaneously creating a more functional, accessible, and attractive public space for residents, merchants, and visitors, both during the day and at night.
The contract signing with BK Consult is the result of a structured public tender process. Seven architectural firms registered to participate in the tender, four of which presented their visual concepts. The proposals were evaluated based on technical, functional, and aesthetic criteria prepared by DOW, and presented to an evaluation committee consisting of, among others, Prime Minister Mike Eman; Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever; Minister of Infrastructure René Herde; Wilhelminastraat merchants; and other stakeholders related to the development of Oranjestad.
BK Consult was selected to further develop its proposal and transform the concept into the final design, specifications, and technical documentation necessary for the execution of the project. The design focuses, among other things, on public space quality, mobility, functionality, sustainability, and the preservation of Wilhelminastraat's historic identity.
The next phase of Wilhelminastraat is not an isolated project. It builds upon the steps the government has taken in downtown Oranjestad over recent years. Since the first phase of Wilhelminastraat in 2022, the opening of Plaza Comercio in 2024, and the opening of Cas Veneranda in 2026, investment in public space has been combined with other projects aimed at bringing more people and activity back to the city. An example of this ongoing vision is the transformation of the former Public Prosecutor's Office building into student housing.
At the same time, revitalization is directly connected to economic policy. Effective January 1, 2026, the government introduced tax incentives to stimulate investment and the renovation of properties in downtown Oranjestad and San Nicolas. Under specific conditions, these incentives include a ten-year exemption from corporate income tax and dividend tax, as well as other tax benefits related to property renovation and sales.
The combination of public investment and conditions that facilitate private investment forms an important part of the strategy. When public space and infrastructure improve and conditions simultaneously facilitate investment, the government creates a foundation for business owners, property owners, and investors to participate in the development of the city center.
Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector Geoffrey Wever indicated that the goal is to transform vision and policy into results that the community can see and feel.
Collaboration among the various ministries is essential in the upcoming phases of the project. The Ministry of Infrastructure plays a key role in the technical and infrastructural aspects, while the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Primary Sector connects the investment in public space to the broader economic vision to stimulate activity, investment, and development in downtown Oranjestad. The Office of the Prime Minister coordinates the overarching effort in line with the government's vision for capital revitalization.
With BK Consult now tasked with developing the final design, the government is proceeding with the next technical phase of the project. The renderings presented represent the initial direction for the area, while the design work and technical documentation will prepare the foundation for future implementation.
