Anyone who has been familiar with Coral Estate on Curaçao for some time undoubtedly knows them: the distinctive blue villas that for years formed a recognisable part of the resort. Among locals, they even earned the affectionate nickname "Smurf Village".
What many people do not know, however, is that behind these striking holiday homes lies a remarkable story - one in which architecture, Caribbean atmosphere, history and the colour of the sea come together.
During the period when Coral Estate was still very much in development and had not yet gained the recognition it has today, a deliberate choice was made to collaborate - for this new phase - with a renowned name in the Dutch world of design and architecture.
By involving Jan des Bouvrie, the aim was not simply to create holiday homes, but to establish a recognisable identity that matched the luxury, tranquillity and Caribbean character of Coral Estate on Curaçao.
That vision is still visible today in the layout and appearance of the original blue villas.
Jan des Bouvrie on Curaçao
The original blue villas were also known within Coral Estate as the characteristic patio houses or patio villas.
The design revolved entirely around Caribbean outdoor living: open spaces, natural ventilation, privacy and a seamless transition between indoors and outdoors.
This fits perfectly with the hallmark style of Jan des Bouvrie, who was known for his dedication to calm, light, simplicity and timeless elegance.
Where outdoor living with a sea view was almost elevated to an art form, a residential concept was born that still feels surprisingly modern - even years later.
Nearly all patio villas share the same foundation:
- 3 bedrooms
- 2 or 3 bathrooms
- Generous terraces and verandas
- An open, airy layout
- Garden view or sea view position, depending on location within the resort
In total, 31 original blue patio villas were built at Coral Estate — plus a hidden villa number 13 located elsewhere on the resort.
It was precisely this architectural unity that gave the area its distinctive character. No excessive luxury or extravagant designs, but a relaxed Caribbean style in which calm, comfort and outdoor living take centre stage.
Why blue?
The most striking feature of the homes was, of course, their colour.
For the original villas, a unique blue shade was deliberately chosen — specially developed by the Antillean Paint Factory (AVF). Within the factory, this characteristic colour is known as "Coral Blue": a name that fits perfectly with the location and identity of Coral Estate on Curaçao.
The colour was inspired by the Caribbean Sea surrounding the island and grew into a recognisable element of this development phase at Coral Estate. To this day, owners can still have the original colour re-mixed by AVF whenever their villa needs repainting.
The colour blue also has a historical connection with the surroundings of Rif St. Marie. On this plantation, indigo was once actually cultivated and processed — a natural blue dye that was renowned worldwide for its deep blue tones.
Along the walking path of Rif St. Marie, an old indigo vat is still visible today, where this dye was once processed. This gives the blue of the villas not only a tropical character, but also a remarkable historical connection to the land itself.
Many people also see a beautiful reference to the blue in the flag of Curaçao, in which the sea, the sky and the open Caribbean spirit of the island take pride of place.
Over the years, the nickname "Smurf Village" emerged naturally - a name that still regularly comes up in conversations among residents, owners and returning guests.
Designed for Caribbean outdoor living
What makes these villas on Curaçao still popular today is not only their appearance, but above all the way in which they were designed for life in the tropics.
The homes were built with great attention to:
- Natural light
- Cooling trade winds
- Spacious verandas and terraces
- Privacy and tranquillity
- The ideal combination of indoor and outdoor living
As a result, the villas still feel relaxed, comfortable and typically Caribbean today — exactly as they were originally intended.
