| City Hall Eloy Arends House | |
| Native Name: | Stadhuis |
| Architectural Style: | Neo-Baroque |
| Address: | Wilhelminastraat 8 |
| Location Town: | Oranjestad |
| Location Country: | Aruba |
| Current Tenants: | Civil registration |
| Coordinates: | 12.5185°N -70.036°W |
| Start Date: | 1922 |
| Inauguration Date: | 1925 |
| Architect: | Chibi Wever |
City Hall (also known as the Eloy Arends House; Dutch: Stadhuis) is home to the civil registration of Oranjestad, Aruba. The building used to be a doctor's office and residential home of Eloy Arends. Aruba is only subdivided in regions and zones for administrative and statistical purposes, therefore, it is not a city hall defined as the seat of municipal government.[1] The city hall is used for civil registrations, passports and marriages.[2] [3]
Jacobo Eloy Maria Arends was a medical doctor in Aruba. In 1922, he announced his engagement with Maria Monica Laclé. According to tradition, a house was constructed for the couple prior to the marriage.[4] The house was built on a lot in the centre of Oranjestad. The architect was Chibi Wever and the design was influenced by South American Neo-Baroque.[5] [6] In 1925, the couple married, and Laclé was allowed to see the house.[4] The house uses sliding doors to allow for flexible usage of the interior space.[6]
In 1960, Arends died, and the house became property of his son Jesus Eloy Arends. At first it was used as a dentist's office. Later, it was in use as restaurant, but became vacant in 1980 in a neglected state.[7] In 1985, it served as the headquarters of People's Electoral Movement (MEP),[8] In January 1988, it was sold to the Government of Aruba.[9] The purchase of the house was controversial, and the renovation was postponed. In the meantime, it became used by homeless people. In 1993, a fire severely damaged the building.[10]
In 1997, the Eloy Arends House was restored, and became home to the civil registration. In 1999, ownership was transferred to the . In 2014, another major restoration took place. The City Hall also developed in a popular place for tourists to get married.[11]