Restoration of the John G. Eman Building Underway
ORANJESTAD — On October 14, 2026, the Minister of Finance, Economic Affairs, and Primary Sector, Geoffrey Wever, alongside Prime Minister Mike Eman and accompanied by Mrs. Petra Davis of the Aruba Heritage Foundation (Stichting Monumentenfonds Aruba – SMFA), officially marked the start of restoration works on the historic John G. Eman Building, formerly known as the Aruba Bank Building, located on Caya G.F. Betico Croes.
With this symbolic ceremony, a project that has progressed through several years of preparation, study, negotiation, and coordination now enters the execution phase. This moment represents a major milestone—not only for the preservation of historical heritage, but also for the government's broader vision to revitalize downtown Oranjestad, stimulate economic activity, and create a more attractive, dynamic, and livable city center.
The restoration of the John G. Eman Building is the result of a multi-year journey. In December 2024, Minister Wever signed a letter of intent with Aruba Bank N.V., the Aruba Heritage Foundation, and the National Restoration Fund (Nationaal Restauratiefonds), laying the groundwork for the restoration and future use of the building.
In December 2025, the official transfer of the building to the Aruba Heritage Foundation marked an important next step. Throughout 2026, technical preparations, design work, and the tendering process progressed, with the first phase focusing on removing non-monumental structures to prepare the site for restoration.
With this official launch on October 14, the project transitions from planning to concrete implementation.
The building will be restored with full respect for its historical and architectural value and transformed into a multifunctional space. Plans include office premises for the Central Bureau of Statistics (CBS) and the Social and Economic Council (SER), combined with a residential apartment and commercial space for a food and beverage establishment with a patio/terrace.
This combination will contribute to a steady flow of people working, living, and visiting downtown Oranjestad, creating expanded opportunities for commercial activity and strengthening the local economy.
The John G. Eman project forms part of the government's broader vision and strategy to revitalize downtown Oranjestad. Other concrete examples of this vision include the restoration of Cas Veneranda—which currently houses the Department of Economic Affairs, Commerce and Industry (DEACI) alongside a hospitality establishment—the transformation of the former Public Prosecutor's Office into apartments and commercial spaces, and the beautification of Wilhelminastraat.