Colonial building turned into a hotel

Menteng area is well known for its colonial houses or building. This past early June, I had an opportunity attending an opening ceremony of a hotel, a walking distance from jalan Surabaya. The hotel building is a colonial building with some historical background.


Located between jalan Cilacap, jalan Bandung, and jalan Semarang, there was a big long white two storey building. Some part of the inner and outer of the second level were circled with a wooden balcony. (Menteng 'Kota taman' pertama di Indonesia, Adolf Heuken SJ - Grace Pamungkas ST)

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The building was built somewhere between 1923-24 for Telefoongebouw Menteng (Dutch Telephone company). Once also had been used for Departement voor Onderwijs en Eredienst (Department for Education and Religion affairs) by the Dutch government.

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At the beginning of independence (1945-1946), this building was used for a meeting venue of Badan Pekerja Komite Nasional Indonesia Pusat / BP KNIP (forerunner of legislative) and between 1946 until 1949 accommodate all the activities of Angkatan Pemuda Indonesia / API. In 1950 became a government office of Education Department. And since 1968 was used for Directorate-General office of Education and Culture Department until 1996. A restoration has been made in 1999-2000 by Universitas Bung Karno foundation and use the building as their campus for several period until it changed ownership once again to a private hand.

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And the building was neglected until 2013, I’ve had noticed there was a big renovation activities on that building. Some part was demolished on the backside and triggered some criticism from DKI Jakarta municipality preservation team. Somehow the construction continued, and once a neglected building has transform into a luxury hotel.

From this..

Become this

The main two storey building are preserved. They add 9 storey building on the back with a design matched the main building, which is Art Deco architecture. It look like they all built together in one period of time. The detail of the roster above the window or door in the new building are matched with the main building. Also the octagonal prism detail that sharpen their Art Deco design.

Their formal opening event was over a month ago (June 5th,2014) and inaugurated by the deputy governor, Bapak Basuki Cahaya Purnama. All the press, government people from tourism department, Pemda DKI (municipality), and property businessmen were gathered to attend the event. Many government people attended because the building has a long line historical back ground and it is a cultural heritage. After hearing the deputy governor’s speech and officially opened the hotel, the guests were guided to the second floor into the ballroom to enjoy the lunch buffet. Guests who wanted to have the tour around the hotel were to follow a host that will explain the facilities and see the rooms.

A week after the opening event, I went back to Hermitage to enjoy an afternoon coffee with friends. We sat in the L’Avenue lounge that were decorated by pictures of our late presidents and paintings of Indonesian lady in her kebaya with different poses. These paintings gave a touch of Indonesia in their French flair interior.

I know it was my second visit, but I never get enough if it is involved an antique building. So we went to the reception, asked if somebody can took us around. A host greeted us, and directly offered her service to be the tour guide.

The host lady, hospitable miss Lydia, who gave us the tour of the building. She looked lovely and elegant in her excellent kebaya uniform designed by Indonesian fashion designer, Carmanita. -SK-