The Shell homes on Curaçao

The Shell homes on Curaçao

The Shell houses on Curaçao are a unique piece of the island’s history. These homes were built in the 1920s by the Shell Oil Company for their employees and can still be seen along the island’s coastline. In this blog, we discuss the history and importance of Shell homes in Curaçao.

History of Shell homes

In the 1920s, the Shell Oil Company had built a refinery in Curaçao and needed housing for its employees. The Shell homes were built near the refinery and were intended to provide housing for the workers and their families. The homes were built in a distinctive style known as the “Shell style,” with white walls and red roofs.

Shell homes were unique in their time because they were designed to meet the needs of workers and their families. Each house had a garden and porch, and there were communal facilities such as sports fields, a swimming pool and a library.

Importance of Shell homes

The Shell houses are of great historical importance to Curaçao. They exemplify the colonial architecture built on the island in the 1920s and are a symbol of the relationship between Curaçao and the Shell Oil Company.

Moreover, the Shell houses played an important role in the development of the working class in Curaçao. The homes provided housing for workers who otherwise would have struggled to find affordable housing. This allowed workers to concentrate on their work and contribute to the economic development of the island.

The Shell homes today

Today, the Shell homes can still be seen along Curaçao’s coastline. Many of the homes have been restored and are now used as vacation homes or offices for local businesses. However, some of the homes are still in use as housing for refinery workers.

Conclusion

Curaçao’s Shell homes are an important piece of the island’s history. They exemplify the colonial architecture built on the island in the 1920s and are a symbol of the relationship between Curaçao and the Shell Oil Company. Moreover, the houses played an important role in the development of the working class in Curaçao. Today, the homes can still be seen along the island’s coastline and are an important reminder of the oil company Shell