Welcome to Casa Rosada – the pink house -, one of Aruba’s rare gems!

This is not just any building—it’s one of the few remaining townhouses with a fully functional upstairs apartment and a shop downstairs. Constructed between 1898 and 1904, it was originally owned by the Laclé family. Later, in 1929, purchased by Julio – alias Habib – Habibe, this charming home has a rich history, including its time as home to Mario’s Sportshop and a furniture store.

Julio ‘Habib’ Habibe, an aloe product dealer and personal loan provider, contributed to the building’s rich past. The house stands proudly on a town estate that is bordered by Zuidstraat, Wilhelminastraat, and a small connecting street. The western facade proudly displays the year it was built: 1904.

The building’s architecture combines the grandeur of a Curaçao-like mansion with influences from early 20th-century Latin American styles. This blend is evident in the undulating gables and elegantly profiled moldings. The classical columns supporting the balcony create a rare open passage, a feature that is unusual in Aruba.

Decorative elements and floor tiles with floral motifs, possibly imported from Colombia or Venezuela, add a unique charm.

Now owned by Fabio Marcotulli, Casa Rosada is not only a residence, but also home to a table tennis museum on the ground floor and part of the upper floor.

The upper floor extends over the galleries and the main house, accessible via an outside staircase along the west wall. This staircase leads to a terrace that connects to the balcony on the front facade, which offers a beautiful view. In addition, the rainwater tank has been converted into a refreshing swimming pool.

The roof has a distinctive gable roof shape with six dormers, and the original Dutch roof tiles have been preserved. Many of the original wooden shutters and doors are also still present, adding to the historic atmosphere.

Casa Rosada is being restored by its current owners.