Landhuis Zuikertuin

About

Landhuis Zuikertuin, whose name translates to "little sugar garden," is a historic colonial country house in central Willemstad that offers a unique glimpse into the island's urban colonial heritage. The house was originally used as a country retreat for townspeople, and it is believed that a small garden on the property was used to grow sugar cane on a modest scale — a reflection of the agricultural experiments that Dutch colonists conducted on the island. The house dates back to the beginning of the 19th century, with three dormers on the south side above the entrance. The middle dormer bears the inscription "ANO 1870," indicating that these dormers were likely added during a later renovation phase. Despite extensive rebuilding and modifications over the centuries, the original character of Zuikertuin has been carefully preserved, with traditional Dutch-Caribbean architectural elements including thick walls, a saddle roof, and characteristic shutters. Today, Landhuis Zuikertuin has been adaptively reused and houses a shopping mall, making it one of the few plantation houses on the island that has been successfully integrated into modern commercial life while retaining its historic charm. The building is located on Suikertuintjeweg in central Willemstad, near the Schottegatweg Oost intersection, making it easily accessible from all parts of the city. The transformation from colonial country house to modern shopping destination represents the evolving story of Curaçao's historic buildings, many of which have found new purposes in the 21st century. Landhuis Zuikertuin is an excellent stop for visitors interested in colonial architecture and adaptive heritage reuse, and its central location makes it a convenient addition to any Willemstad city tour.

Suikertuintjeweg

How to get there

Located on Suikertuintjeweg in central Willemstad, near the Schottegatweg Oost intersection. Now houses a shopping mall.