Plaza Hotel Curaçao
{{Short description|Hotel in Curaçao}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox building
|name = Plaza Hotel Curaçao
|native_name =
|logo =
|logo_caption =
|image = Plaza Hotel Curaçao - voorgevel.jpg
|image_caption = Plaza Hotel Curaçao (2020)
|map_type = Curaçao
|map_alt =
|map_dot_mark =
|map_dot_label =
|relief =
|map_caption =
|map_size =
|coordinates = {{coord|12|06|14|N|68|56|06|W|type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
|former_names =
|alternate_names = Hotel Curacao Intercontinental
|building_type =
|architectural_style =
|architect = Joseph P. Salerno and Ben Smit
|classification =
|location =
|address = Waterfortstraat
|location_city = Willemstad
|location_country = Curaçao
|grid_name =
|grid_position =
|groundbreaking_date =
|topped_out_date =
|completion_date =
|opened_date = 12 October 1957
|renovation_date =
|closing_date =
|demolition_date =
|client =
|owner = {{Unbulleted list
|{{nowrap|InterContinental (1955–1976)}}
|{{nowrap|Canadian Pacific (1976–1984)}}
|Hart Group (1984–1989)
|Van der Valk (1989–2006)
|Barney Ivanovic (2006–2017)
|Girobank (2017–2020)
|Alg. Pensioenfonds (2020–)
}}
|number_of_rooms = 258
|floor_area =
|website =
}}
Plaza Hotel Curaçao is a former hotel in Willemstad, Curaçao. It was constructed in the Waterfort, and opened on 12 October 1957 as Hotel Curaçao Intercontinental. It is the tallest building on the island. The hotel has changed ownership many times. In 2017, Plaza Hotel Management was declared bankrupt. The hotel is in a dilapidated state, and pieces have fallen off. Viva Construction had been hired to assess the building prior to the 2020 auction, and reported that demolition was the best option. At the auction, it was sold to Algemeen Pensionfonds Curaçao, a pension fund which planned to redevelop the site.
History
In 1953, the government of Curaçao was approached by the International Hotel Corporation who wanted to construct a large hotel on the island.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Hotel+Curacao&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C1953%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010481628:mpeg21:a0001&resultsidentifier=ddd:010481628:mpeg21:a0001&rowid=4 |title=Curacao wil kapitaal trekken |website=Het nieuws |date=9 September 1953 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154525/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Hotel+Curacao&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1950-1959%7C1953%7C&page=1&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010481628:mpeg21:a0001&resultsidentifier=ddd:010481628:mpeg21:a0001&rowid=4 |url-status=live }} In 1955, a model of the hotel was submitted for approval.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010404574:mpeg21:a0074&coll=ddd |title=Maquette van Hotel dinsdag op Curacao |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=29 April 1955 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010532/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010404574:mpeg21:a0074&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} A decision was reached to redevelop the area around the Waterfort, a fort constructed in 1634 and rebuilt in 1827.{{cite web |url=https://www.tracesofwar.nl/sights/28447/ |title=Waterfort Curaçao |website=Traces of War |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=nl |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150022/https://www.tracesofwar.nl/sights/28447/ |url-status=live }} In July 1955, El Curaçao N.V. was founded.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010404579:mpeg21:a0001&coll=ddd |title=Eerste phase tot stand koming hotel "El Curacao" afgesloten |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=6 May 1955 |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=nl |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216161556/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010404579:mpeg21:a0001&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} The site where the hotel would be built was occupied by the Netherlands Marine Corps who were relocated to {{ill|Marinebasis Parera|nl}} in late 1955.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Waterfort+Parera&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010988495:mpeg21:a0049&resultsidentifier=ddd:010988495:mpeg21:a0049&rowid=1 |title=Nog dit jaar komt Waterfort vrij |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=1 December 1955 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216161605/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Waterfort+Parera&coll=ddd&identifier=ddd:010988495:mpeg21:a0049&resultsidentifier=ddd:010988495:mpeg21:a0049&rowid=1 |url-status=live }} The hotel was constructed in the old fort.{{cite book |first=Thijs |last=Kateman |title=Curacao, Aruba en Bonaire / druk 1: Binaire en Aruba |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h8tD8_FRoW8C&pg=PA70 |year=2012 |publisher=ANWB Media – Boeken & Gidsen |isbn=978-90-18-02464-2 |page=70 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150017/https://books.google.com/books?id=h8tD8_FRoW8C&pg=PA70 |url-status=live }}
=Intercontinental=
On 12 October 1957, Hotel Curaçao InterContinental opened. At the opening ceremony KLM announced direct flights from New York City to Curaçao.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=KBDDD02:000211160:mpeg21:a0001&coll=ddd |title=Hotel Curacao officieel in gebruik |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=14 October 1957 |language=nl |quote=Opened Saturday |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154534/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=KBDDD02:000211160:mpeg21:a0001&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} In 1968, an extension of the hotel was announced. A tower of 14 floors would be added to the hotel, and the total number of hotel rooms would be increased to 258.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010463643:mpeg21:a0082&coll=ddd |title=Contact bouw toren getekend |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=11 October 1968 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154538/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010463643:mpeg21:a0082&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} The tower was finished in 1970, and was the tallest building in Curaçao; the second floor was dedicated to meetings, and the top floor contained a penthouse suite.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010463462:mpeg21:a0065&coll=ddd |title=Vlag in top bij nieuwbouw hotel InterContinental |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=29 April 1970 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154543/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010463462:mpeg21:a0065&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} As of 2022, it still is the tallest building.{{cite news |url=https://curacaochronicle.com/local/increasing-interest-for-plaza-hotel/ |title=Increasing interest for Plaza Hotel |website=Curaçao Chronicle |date=19 December 2016 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216165619/https://curacaochronicle.com/local/increasing-interest-for-plaza-hotel/ |url-status=live }} InterContinental decided to terminate the contract at the end of 1976, and negotiations with Canadian Pacific Hotels started.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010460285:mpeg21:a0096&coll=ddd |title=BC vraagt grote bedragen voor sanering van hotels |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=12 June 1976 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150020/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010460285:mpeg21:a0096&coll=ddd |url-status=live }}
=Canadian Pacific=
Canadian Pacific demanded loans and large investments of the island government. On 2 September 1976, the hotel was purchased, and renamed Plaza Hotel Curaçao. The headquarters of Canadian Pacific for Latin America and the Caribbean were moved to Curaçao, and Air Canada announced that it would commence charter flights to Curaçao.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Cura%C3%A7ao+Plaza+Hotel&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C&identifier=ddd:010460810:mpeg21:a0078&resultsidentifier=ddd:010460810:mpeg21:a0078&rowid=2 |title=Canadian Pacific vestigt hoofdkantoor op Curaçao |website=Amigoe di Curacao |date=2 September 2022 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154541/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=Cura%C3%A7ao+Plaza+Hotel&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=1%7C20e_eeuw%7C1970-1979%7C&identifier=ddd:010460810:mpeg21:a0078&resultsidentifier=ddd:010460810:mpeg21:a0078&rowid=2 |url-status=live }} In 1981, large losses were reported, and the hotel only managed to keep afloat on the casino and subsidies from the island government.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010640782:mpeg21:a0056&coll=ddd |title=Curaçao kan niet meer investeren in Plaza Hotel |website=Amigoe |date=12 October 1981 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154537/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010640782:mpeg21:a0056&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} In 1983, Canadian Pacific started negotiations with the Hart Hotel Group.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=plaza+hotel&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1983%7C&identifier=ddd:010640517:mpeg21:a0067&resultsidentifier=ddd:010640517:mpeg21:a0067&rowid=1 |title=Status quo bij Curacao Plaza gehandhaafd |website=Amigoe |date=24 March 1983 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154532/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?query=plaza+hotel&coll=ddd&page=1&facets%5Bperiode%5D%5B%5D=2%7C20e_eeuw%7C1980-1989%7C1983%7C&identifier=ddd:010640517:mpeg21:a0067&resultsidentifier=ddd:010640517:mpeg21:a0067&rowid=1 |url-status=live }}
=Hart Group=
In June 1984, the hotel was sold to the Hart Group, a joint venture of Richard Hart and Ramada Hotels.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010641278:mpeg21:a0063&coll=ddd |title=Plaza hotel behoudt voorlopig oude naam |website=Amigoe |date=1 June 1984 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216161610/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010641278:mpeg21:a0063&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} The hotel was renovated, and a discotheque was added. The renovated hotel reopened in December 1986, and Richard Hart expressed confidence that it would be profitable.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010641885:mpeg21:a0050&coll=ddd |title=Plaza Hotel moet nu met winst gaan draaien |website=Amigoe |date=15 December 1969 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010529/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010641885:mpeg21:a0050&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} In January 1989, the island government, which had acquired a 32% share in the hotel in 1981, announced its intention to sell its share.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010642533:mpeg21:a0080&coll=ddd |title=Verbouwing Plaza heeft 30 miljoen gekost |website=Amigoe |date=16 January 1989 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216160050/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010642533:mpeg21:a0080&coll=ddd |url-status=live }}
=Van der Valk=
In March 1989, the hotel was sold to Van der Valk Hotels for US$3 million. The island government promised to spend US$150,000 annually on the promotion of the hotel,{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010642883:mpeg21:a0079&coll=ddd |title=Plaza Hotel voor 3 miljoen dollar verkocht aan concern Van Der Valk |website=Amigoe |date=7 March 1989 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216161600/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010642883:mpeg21:a0079&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} and Richard Hart would remain president of the hotel. Van der Valk wanted to expand the hotel with an artificial beach,{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010645487:mpeg21:a0334&coll=ddd |title=Van der Valk in Willemstad |website=De Telegraaf |date=4 July 1989 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216154530/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=ddd:010645487:mpeg21:a0334&coll=ddd |url-status=live }} however the negotiations with the island government were difficult, and environmental groups demonstrated against further destruction of the coral reef. Van der Valk complained that they were one of the few hotels on the island without a private beach.{{cite news |url=https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=KBNRC01:000031099:mpeg21:a0022&coll=ddd |title=Curaçao |website=NRC Handelsblad |date=6 August 1994 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010554/https://www.delpher.nl/nl/kranten/view?identifier=KBNRC01:000031099:mpeg21:a0022&coll=ddd |url-status=live }}
=Barney Ivanovic=
In 2006, the Plaza Hotel was sold to Barney Ivanovic, a Yugoslavian-born American businessman. In 2008, a dispute arose between Ivanovic and his business partner Chester Peterson about the ownership of the hotel, and Ivanovic was forcibly removed from the hotel. A lengthy legal battle followed.{{cite news |url=https://knipselkrant-curacao.com/speedy-trok-een-pistool/ |title='Speedy trok een pistool' |website=Antiliaans Dagblad via Knipselkrant Curaçao |date=23 November 2010 |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=nl |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150020/https://knipselkrant-curacao.com/speedy-trok-een-pistool/ |url-status=live }} In 2011, Ivanovic sued Adèle van der Pluijm-Vrede, the notary at the time and acting Governor of the Netherlands Antilles, in a Florida court.{{cite news |url=https://curacaochronicle.com/judicial/plaza-hotel-curacao-crime-scene-story/ |title=Plaza Hotel Curacao – Crime scene story |website=Curaçao Chronicle |date=10 December 2012 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010547/https://curacaochronicle.com/judicial/plaza-hotel-curacao-crime-scene-story/ |url-status=live }} Van der Pluijm-Vrede refused to appear in court citing costs and no time.{{cite news |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111006175801/http://www.rnw.nl/caribiana/article/van-der-pluijm-vrede-negeert-amerikaanse-dagvaarding |url=http://www.rnw.nl/caribiana/article/van-der-pluijm-vrede-negeert-amerikaanse-dagvaarding |archive-date=6 October 2011 |title=Van der Pluijm-Vrede negeert Amerikaanse dagvaarding |website=Radio Nederland Wereldomroep |language=nl |date=5 October 2011}} The Florida judge dismissed the charges as not related to Florida.{{cite web |url=http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/florida/flsdce/9:2011cv80726/381653/37/0.pdf?1320929017 |title=Case 11-80726-Civ-Ryskamp/Vitunac |publisher=United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida |date=2011-11-09 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=9 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140109031631/http://docs.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/florida/flsdce/9:2011cv80726/381653/37/0.pdf?1320929017 |url-status=live }} Girobank was the mortgage holder of the hotel. By 2017, Plaza Hotel Management owed Girobank NAf 26 million (~US$14 million).{{cite news |url=https://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/22079-weer-nieuwe-veiling-van-plaza-hotel |title=Weer nieuwe veiling van Plaza Hotel |website=Antiliaans Dagblad |date=11 August 2022 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150022/https://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/22079-weer-nieuwe-veiling-van-plaza-hotel |url-status=live }} Girobank went to court, and Plaza Hotel Management was declared bankrupt.{{cite news |url=https://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/21921-opheffing-faillissement-plaza-hotel |title=Opheffing faillissement Plaza Hotel |website=Antiliaans Dagblad |date=17 July 2020 |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=nl |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150025/https://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/21921-opheffing-faillissement-plaza-hotel |url-status=live }}
=Aftermath=
In June 2017, the Plaza Hotel was sold by auction to John W. Burcham of Waterfront Hotel Group for US$9 million who planned to open a Hilton DoubleTree hotel;{{cite news |url=https://www.noticiacla.com/news/10357 |title=Plaza Hotel & Casino in Curacao sold to only bidder in auction |website=Noticia Cla |access-date=16 February 2022 |date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150019/https://www.noticiacla.com/news/10357 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://curacaochronicle.com/politics/new-owner-wants-to-open-plaza-hotel-as-soon-as-possible/ |title=New owner wants to open Plaza Hotel as soon as possible |website=Curacao Chronicle |date=24 July 2017 |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010530/https://curacaochronicle.com/politics/new-owner-wants-to-open-plaza-hotel-as-soon-as-possible/ |url-status=live }} however, the money was never paid. In 2018, it was sold to Tom Bolera for NAf 13.5 million (~US$7.5 million), but he never paid either. In September 2020, the hotel was sold to Algemeen Pensionfonds Curaçao, a pension fund, for NAf 6.3 million (~US$3.5 million).{{cite news |url=https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/local/next-phase-road-to-plaza/ |title=Next phase Road to Plaza |website=Curaçao Chronicle |access-date=16 February 2022 |date=17 December 2021 |archive-date=18 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218143933/https://www.curacaochronicle.com/post/local/next-phase-road-to-plaza/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/22328-plaza-hotel-ontwikkelen |title=Nieuwe eigenaar APC in vergevorderd gesprek met Heritage Plaza Consortium |website=Antilliaans Dagblad |date=22 September 2020 |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=nl |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150019/https://antilliaansdagblad.com/nieuws-menu/22328-plaza-hotel-ontwikkelen |url-status=live }}
Years of neglect combined with vandalism have resulted in a dilapidated state. Concrete degradation has caused fallen debris, and experts have recommended that the building should be fenced off.{{cite news |title=Leegstaande Plaza gevaar voor omgeving |url=https://curacao.nu/leegstaande-plaza-gevaar-voor-omgeving/ |website=Curaçao.nu |date=16 October 2019 |language=nl |access-date=16 February 2022 |archive-date=16 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216150029/https://curacao.nu/leegstaande-plaza-gevaar-voor-omgeving/ |url-status=live }} Viva Construction had been hired to assess the building prior to the 2020 auction, and reported that demolition was the best option.{{cite news |url=https://curacao.nu/plaza-hotel-slopen/ |title=Plaza Hotel slopen |website=Curaçao.nu |access-date=16 February 2022 |language=nl |date=20 August 2020 |archive-date=17 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217010532/https://curacao.nu/plaza-hotel-slopen/ |url-status=live }}
Gallery
File:Plaza Hotel Curaçao bij avond.jpg|Plaza Hotel at sunset
File:Plaza Hotel Curaçao - brandtrap.jpg|The fire escape (2020)
File:Waterfort, Willemstad (30833425490).jpg|Plaza Hotel on the Waterfort
File:Plaza Hotel Curaçao - gang.jpg|Inside the hotel (2020)
References
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Plaza Hotel Curacao}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Willemstad
Category:Hotels established in 1957
Category:Canadian Pacific Railway hotels