WILLEMSTAD - Parts of the building at Rif Fort, housing the fire-damaged restaurants Ceviche and Nikkei, are set for partial demolition due to structural instability. This decision follows recommendations from the Department of Control and Supervision of the Spatial Planning and Development Agency (UO ROP).
The recommendations, detailed in a letter dated November 12 and addressed to the Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino—the property's owner—emphasize urgent safety concerns. Acting ROP Director Raymond Felisie underscored the priority of public safety in the letter, warning, “Entering the premises without implementing the outlined measures is at one's own risk.”
Inspection Confirms Risks
The recommendations stem from a visual inspection conducted on November 6 at the request of the Curaçao Police Force (KPC) and the Labor Inspectorate. Representatives from the fire department, police, Rif Fort Village management, and tenants were also present.
The inspection revealed significant structural vulnerabilities, necessitating immediate precautions. One key recommendation is the closure of the affected area to prevent access, except for demolition and cleaning operations authorized jointly by the Ministry of Health, Environment, and Nature (GMN), the fire department, and UO ROP.
Restaurants Sealed Off
Both Ceviche and Nikkei are owned by local restaurateur Mike van de Sande and Peruvian business partner Oscar Mauricio Villanueva Castro. Van de Sande also operates Ocean House 19, another restaurant in Rif Fort.
Currently, the upper floors housing the damaged restaurants are accessible via stairs and an elevator, but the units themselves have been securely sealed with wooden panels.
Urgent Action Required
The letter stresses that parts of the structure need immediate demolition to eliminate potential hazards. It concludes with a strong emphasis on safety, stating, “The safety of people takes precedence above all else.”
The Renaissance Curaçao Resort & Casino, local authorities, and property stakeholders are now working together to ensure compliance with the recommended measures while assessing the future of the historic Rif Fort site.