A building in the heart of the Charlotte Amalie waterfront was given its historical due Friday afternoon as the stone structure, dating from the 1860s, was christened as the new office and welcome center of the V.I. Department of Tourism.
The building, it turns out, has a tradition of serving the hospitality industry. It was once the Hotel de Antilles, serving steamship passengers in transit between the West Indies and New York in the bustling waterfront businesses of the era.
The building’s history was not lost on Gov. John deJongh Jr. and Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson Doty, both of whom commented on its significance. Both said the new building is the answer to their dreams.
The location is ideal for the department’s purposes, and something the two had discussed in 2007, shortly after deJongh took office. "Maybe it was destined to become our home,” Doty said. "The governor and I have been looking for a downtown location we could afford for years. It’s the first time we’ve had a downtown office in 20 years.”
The governor thanked all the agencies who worked on the project – Property and Procurement and the Department of Public Works, who worked closely with Doty and Jaredian Design Group to bring the offices together. He said the "energy of the Tourism Department and the pride they take their jobs will energize this neighborhood, serving people downtown.”
Doty joked that she wouldn’t have to call DPW any more to be sure she got the exposed stone wall in her conference room. The wall sets off the room and highlights its historical significance.
The office is welcoming, modern, light, with an airy feeling and offices situated along the length of the building. DeJongh said he was familiar with the area when he worked nearby as Finance commissioner several years ago. "We’d just use this for storage area,” he marveled, "putting anything we didn’t want here.”
Reverend Jeffrey Neevel gave the official blessing, prefacing his remarks with a few remembrances of the joy he gets performing weddings at Magens Bay. "I was there this morning,” he said, "and I had to think about how beautiful this island is. I get letters from people I’ve married expressing their thanks for being married in this special place, sometimes from couples who were here just hours from a cruise ship. This building must have been destined for welcoming people.”
Local historian David W. Knight, a member of the V.I. Historic Preservation Commission, gave a brief look at the building’s history. "The waterfront in 1860s was the hub of commerce, steamship lines, one after another all along the waterfront. Hamburg American Lines owned this building, next door to the Compagnie Generale Transatlantique. Hamburg American purchased it from a local merchant, Duncan 
MacDougall, and they operated the Hotel de Antilles,” Knight said. "What is interesting is this very building is now again in the hospitality business today.”
The Bertha C. Boschulte Junior High School Flambo Combo band serenaded outside as the ceremony carried on inside.
The office is located at No. 74B & 75 Kronprindsens Gade, behind the old USO building.
