McD Sarinah
The double arches’ first outlet in Indonesia opened its doors in 1991, and closed for good in 2020 when Sarinah underwent extensive renovation.
After the restaurant’s last burgers and fries were served, the city bade farewell to one of Jakartans’ favorite hangout spots, greeting Sarinah’s latest incarnation, with its intersection of traditional filigree panels and modern elegance, a restoration of its original look in the heart of the city’s central business district.
An icon of Jakarta, Sarinah was among the megaprojects inaugurated in the 1960s. Named after Sukarno’s childhood nanny, the shopping center was also Indonesia’s first iconic skyscraper.
This icon status goes beyond the eyes of the locals, as the former President of the United States Barack Obama recalled, when visiting Indonesia in 2010, that it was the tallest building in the city during his four childhood years living in Jakarta.
Courtesy of The Jakarta Post
Bandara Kemayoran
“That, look! Kemajoran!...Is this Djakarta or not?” says Professor Calculus to Tintin and Captain Haddock in the children’s tale.
Particularly notable for Tintin fans, Kemayoran Airport was Indonesia’s first international airport, operating from 1940 to 1985. It was succeeded by Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Along with serving commercial flights, Kemayoran Airport was briefly used as a military airport by both the Axis and the Allies during World War II. Following Indonesia’s independence, jetsetting globetrotters began arriving and departing, with the 1960s and 1970s considered its golden era.
After 40 years of faithfully serving international travelers, the government deemed the airport too close to the military’s Halim Perdanakusuma Airport. With the construction of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, air traffic at Kemayoran slowly wound down, until finally closing down on March 31, 1985, a day before Soekarno-Hatta Airport started operating.
After its decommissioning, Kemayoran hosted the 1986 Indonesian Air Show, but the terminal and air traffic control tower have since fallen into disuse, though the latter has been granted cultural heritage status.
With the Jakarta International Expo convention center built on the site, the sound of engines now come from cars and motorcycles zooming through the former runway.
JP /Kosasih Derajat
Sirkuit Ancol
Aside from family-friendly attractions, Ancol hosted Indonesia’s first racetrack, which operated from 1970 to 1992, before the need for speed was moved to Sentul International Circuit in Bogor, West Java.
Before the modern-day Jakarta International E-Prix Circuit in Ancol’s Pantai Karnaval, Sirkuit Jaya Ancol was the proving ground for Indonesian racers. Motoring associations and the city’s police department also supported the circuit’s development, hoping to nix illegal street races in the capital’s streets.
By the 1980s, Ancol circuit slowly lost its appeal, as urban development encroached and locals got increasingly fed up with the sound of revving engines. Only time will tell whether its contemporary incarnation will vie for pole position.
Courtesy of The Jakarta Post
Grand Theater Senen
Dating back to the 1920s and an example of Jakarta’s Dutch colonial heritage, the cinema had its heyday in the 1980s before finally closing in 2017. The theater, along with surrounding shophouses, was burned during the 2020 omnibus law protests.
The once legendary Grand Theater Senen is now only a name. However, the memories remain, from the 100 titles per year, to the old movie posters splashing the street with color.
Recalling a sepia-tinged era, the cinema, once called Theater Kramat and Rex, demonstrated the idea that iconic places could be open to change.
Sadly, rising competition proved too challenging for the theater, and its slow decline was marked by a seedy reputation until it finally met its fiery end.
Courtesy of The Jakarta Post
Gedung Harmoni
Known as Societeit Harmonie, the building hosted exclusive events for Dutch socialites in the 19th century and was demolished in 1985 to make way for larger roads and a parking lot for the State Secretariat.
As a members-only establishment, stories have spread how, under crystal chandeliers and on marble floors, the crème de la crème mingled over sips of fine wine, enjoying musical performances while showing off their fashions and riches.
After Indonesian independence, Societeit Harmonie’s glitz and glamor slowly faded away, closing in the 1970s. Its opulent balls but a distant memory, only a busy road is left at the once enchanting site.
Courtesy of The Jakarta Post
Menteng Stadium
Built in 1921 to seat 10,000 fans, Menteng Stadium was the home of Jakarta’s Persija football club from 1960 until its demolition in 2006.
Once home to the Voetbalbond Indische Omstreken Sport (VIOS) club, Persija’s migration to the stadium was greenlit by President Soekarno as the team’s previous home of IKADA Station was demolished to make way for the National Monument (Monas).
Plans for Menteng Stadium’s demolition proved to be controversial because the stadium obtained cultural heritage status in 1975. Despite its renown and numerous protests from Persija, the stadium was torn down, with the Taman Menteng public park occupying its former location.
Courtesy of The Jakarta Post