Cilandak Town Square, `mall with an attitude'

Cilandak Town Square, `mall with an attitude'

Tantri Yuliandini, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

There is Blok M with its Grande Pasaraya, Blok M Plaza, and the
subterranean Blok M Mall -- popular hangout spots for Jakarta's
youths, and there is Pondok Indah Mall for expatriate families
and more affluent youngsters.

As if South Jakarta does not already have enough malls and
shopping centers to entertain the population, PT Graha Megaria
Raya is ready to open a new one, the Cilandak Town Square.

General manager Albert Lim has promised a mall unlike any
other in the capital city, that is, a "mall with an attitude."

"Our concept is of endless celebration, a center for leisure
and entertainment, not like other malls that focus on the
shopping experience," he said.

To that end, architects have designed the mall to appear on
the outside like a giant, multicolored circus tent. This festive
appearance is enhanced with yellows, purples, pinks, and blues,
which also adorn the interior, and carried through to the
juggling clowns who greet visitors at the entrance.

As if to enhance the difference with other malls in the
locality, the developers made Town Square an open mall. So
instead of the usual gigantic structure filled with blocks of
shops, it comprises two elongated structures to the east and west
connected by a promenade and an open atrium 60 meters in
diameter, which is the focal point of the mall.

"Initially, we wanted the atrium and promenade to be
completely open, but considering that we are in the tropics, we
decided to make a roof and install air conditioners," Albert
said. A wise decision, as it proved during the heavy downpour on
the day of the press conference.

The developers wanted Cilandak Town Square to function as a
traditional town square -- a place to meet with people, eat, and
enjoy light entertainment.

In line with this concept, 75 to 80 percent of the Town
Square's 26,000-meters-square of leasable area has been allocated
for food and beverages, Albert said.

"Besides restaurants, pubs, and cafes, various activities and
entertainment shows will be scheduled, such as magic shows, talk
shows, and concerts," he said, adding that the management was
currently negotiating with a private television station for a
segment to cover the mall on a regular basis.

Some of the featured eateries at the mall are cafes such as
coffee chain Dome, Kafe Excelso, Kafe Victoria, Starbucks, and
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.

Foods from around the world can also be enjoyed at Town
Square, from American fast foods A&W and Wendy's; Asian
specialties such as Bai Mai Suki, Chopstix, Furaibo, Mangkok
Putih, Siam Square, and Tokyo Lobby; European foods such as
Myconos (Greek), Izzi Pizza (Italian), Baker's Inn (French), and
Amadeus (Austrian); to Nando's Chicken from South Africa.

The west wing of the mall houses the three-story Matahari
Department Store and Supermarket. Other feature stores include QB
World Books, The Body Shop, L'occitane, Optic Seis, and Guardian.
A four-screen 21 Cineplex movie theater and Anytime, a
comprehensive entertainment center including billiard, electronic
game, pub, restaurant and lounge facilities, completes the mall.

Cilandak Town Square is located at Jl. T.B. Simatupang Kav.
17, South Jakarta. The mall's soft opening was held on Friday,
Nov. 22, 2002.