Curaçao's second main economic group, the Sephardic Jews, built their elegant Italian-style mansions in Scharloo. The first Jewish immigrants lived in the famous row of high buildings that line the Punda waterfront.

By the early 19th century, the successful Jewish merchants sought more comfortable quarters befitting their status. Since Otrobanda was already a solidly Protestant community, they turned their sights to Scharloo, a former plantation across Waaigat just to the north of Punda.

Reflecting the styles of the time, the Scharloo houses were built with a neo-classical grace, with brighter colors and more intricate detail than their Dutch counterparts.

The close knit character of Scharloo's families is evident in the similar styles of many of the early buildings. The typical U-shaped construction included a wide front gallery, a basement to protect the structure and its inhabitants from tropical storms, and a back gallery facing an open, Spanish style patio. Concessions were also made to the tropics; for example the kitchen, pantry and dining room were located to the west of the rest of the house, to minimize odors.

The more ornate classical design required new building materials and techniques: columns of brick were fastened with masonry around iron supports; detail work was done with small pieces of brick and broken roof tile; greater attention was paid to finishing details such as marble floors and intricate ceiling work.

The traditional Italian coat of arms over the front door was replaced by a wooden medallion. Soon, these stylish Scharloo details were imitated in the architecture of great homes elsewhere across the island.