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.