The tireless, local historian Evert Bongers writes:
Hi Rona, how you doing?
I have a question. Back in the days, Roger Coster and Jan Hubert designed a residential community behind Quinta del Carmen called Mangoteca Plantation. I know nothing came of it, but my question is: Where did they get that name? Was there a plantation of that name there? I tried it out on Google but zero results! Hope you can give me the clue. Evert Bongers
Dear Evert,
Not sure, I will check with lawyer Johan Sjiem Fat, or Caola Pinxter. I also believe I still have an original brochure. They were elegant condos for sale, in the cul-de-sac, on privately owned-land, behind Quita del Carmen. Dutch-born, local Architect Jan Hubert designed a residential community, with a sales office on premises. They were ahead of their time. Condos were new to Aruba in 1989. The developer was CDC, Coster Development Company; with three partners, Henk Bijen from ALBO, Johan Sjiem Fat and hotelier Roger Coster. They sold some units, but not fast enough, then they folded. Liz van Meeteren and Carola Pinxter worked in the sales office. Carola continued in real estate after that, with Prima Casa Real Estate. That’s all I know, but I am not sure about the name Mangoteca…
Dear Rona,
Ask any of the Luidens, they lived in the area. Evert Bongers
Dear Marjory,
I was asked and I didn’t know the answer: Do you remember that Mangoteca plantation was under construction next to the cul de sac of quinta del Carmen. Why was it called Mangoteca? Was there at plantation there or a mango tree??? What was the reason for the name. This is Rona Coster. Xoxo
Hi lady,
There was a mango plantation there. Opposite Quinta del Carmen. It belonged to the Luidens family. When they redirected the rainwater, all the big 200 years old mango trees died. And when the whole area was passed to the next generation, they put it up for sale. My father asked for a parcel. He got it, situated in front of Arubiana Inn. It was my father who gave it the name Mangoteca Plantation. We used to go there in the weekend. Later my parents built a little house on the terrain and were living there. Recently, a big hotel company bought the rest of the land to build the next “Oceania Residence on Bubali.” We were also offered to sell the property. My sister Faritah and my mother’s house are still there, but Mangoteca has no more mangos trees, and I thank you Rona, for asking. Love, M.
To quote Johan Sjiem Fat: “This goes to show that there is history everywhere. You just have to look for it, thanks for sharing.”
