The building known as Hotel Colombia is a two-story structure situated at the intersection of Zoutmanstraat and Oranjestraat. It was constructed in 1918 and originally owned by Nadie Henriquez, showcasing its architectural charm with balconies and columns, making it one of the most attractive buildings in Oranjestad during its time. In 1919, Shon Nadie Henriquez initiated an outdoor cinema on the premises. However, in December 1920, Henriquez traded the cinema to Shon Eduard de Veer.

Subsequently, in 1922, the garden adjacent to the outdoor cinema became the location of Eduard de Veer’s music theater.

Hotel Colombia started out as ‘Pension Aruba’, a guest house for Venezuelan government officials who came to the island to screen prospective laborers. The building also functioned as the consular office and residence of the Venezuelan consul.

In 1925, Doctor Eloy Arends bought Pension Aruba while he was building his home next to it and renamed it ‘Hotel Colombia’. It was the first commercial hotel on Aruba.

In the 1980’s it was sold to the Aruba government, but the estate fell into ruins, becoming a home for drug addicts. The roof was destroyed beyond repair by a large fire, and only charred ruins remained. Restoration of the building began in 1997 and it was added to the former Dr. Eloy Arends residence, which became Aruba’s city hall. It is linked to the former Hotel Colombia building where the Population Registry is located where one obtains identity cards, passports, certificates of residence, etc.