Haiti’s historic Grand Hôtel Oloffson, a beloved Gothic gingerbread landmark in Port-au-Prince that inspired books and hosted famous guests, was burned down by gangs over the past weekend. The hotel, which had been closed in recent years due to gang violence, was hoped to reopen. The attack occurred in the upscale Pacot community, with residents being chased out amidst heavy gunfire between police and gangs. The destruction is mourned as a significant loss of Haiti's cultural and architectural heritage.
Gangs in Haiti burn beloved Gothic gingerbread hotel that rose to international fame
CultureBusinessLifestyleWorld
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️Haiti’s historic Grand Hôtel Oloffson, a beloved Gothic gingerbread landmark in Port-au-Prince that inspired books and hosted famous guests, was burned down by gangs over the past weekend. The hotel, which had been closed in recent years due to gang violence, was hoped to reopen. The attack occurred in the upscale Pacot community, with residents being chased out amidst heavy gunfire between police and gangs. The destruction is mourned as a significant loss of Haiti's cultural and architectural heritage.
Trending- 1 Early 1900s: Oloffson served as presidential summer palace
- 2 1930s: Converted into a hotel by a Swedish sea captain
- 3 1966: Inspired Graham Greene's novel 'The Comedians'
- 4 Late 1980s: Richard Morse became the hotel’s manager
- 5 2010: Survived the devastating earthquake
- 6 Recent years: Hotel closed due to gang violence
- 7 This past weekend (July 5-6, 2025): Hotel burned down by gangs
- 8 Monday (July 7, 2025): Hotel manager confirmed the fire
- Destruction of a historic and cultural landmark
- Mourning among Haitians and foreigners for the loss
- Loss of a symbol of Haitian history and culture
- Displacement of residents due to gang violence
- Further destruction of Haiti's architectural heritage
What: The Grand Hôtel Oloffson, a historic and culturally significant hotel, was burned down by gangs.
When: This past weekend (July 5-6, 2025); the attack on the community began late Saturday. The hotel manager confirmed the fire on Monday (July 7, 2025).
Where: Port-au-Prince, Haiti, specifically the Pacot community.
Why: Due to ongoing gang violence and instability in Haiti, leading to attacks on communities and infrastructure.
How: Gangs set fire to the hotel during an attack on the Pacot community, amidst heavy gunfire exchanged with police.