~For Special Edition --- Apartment Living
Apartment is still much on demand
Debbie A. Lubis Contributor The Jakarta Post
Apartment business is still a lucrative venture today as living in an apartment has become an integral part of the fast- paced modern life in the city.
Also, the alleviation of security concerns along with stable political climate has given a direct impact to the business growth. As more and more local executives, business travelers and expatriates consider apartment as their premier housing choice, major apartments in Jakarta reported an increasing occupancy rate this year.
Garden Wing Apartment's occupancy rate enjoys a 13,11 percent increase compared to the figure of June 2004. "It is because the situation is much safer now and business development is getting better lately," said Fransiska Kansil, Public Relations Manager of Hotel Borobudur, Central Jakarta.
The 110 units of fully serviced apartment are located in the garden environment and attached to the hotel. Most of the tenants at Garden Wing Apartment are business travelers from various countries and government officers of some embassies and they stay for long term.
"The trend is not so much different from last year, the last semester of 2005 should hold many changes and development in the business sector will hopefully bring more expatriates to Jakarta," said Rina Hartati, Director of Sales of the Hilton Residence. Expatriates are the major tenants of the Hilton Residence although there are a number of locals who reside there.
The Hilton Residence has two 30-storey towers comprising of 132 units and 122 units respectively. "They feel that they get more space in the apartment than at the hotel. Besides, staying in a hotel is usually more costly than in an apartment", Rina said.
The Four Season Residences, with the total of 234 units for tower 1 and 2, also shares an increasing demand. "We are fully booked and there are more and more inquiries to our apartments," said Indradjit Sardjono, the apartment's Marketing Director. Most of its tenants are CEO of multinational company and Indonesian business owners. "They prefer to stay in our apartment mainly for comfort living and the location that we offer."
"Major apartments usually are located in the heart of the city and at the proximity of central business district so the tenants can have a better access to anywhere, avoid traffic congestion, and save time. Garden Wing Apartment which is situated on Jl. Lapangan Banteng Selatan is nearby American Embassy and close to major shopping malls. The Hilton Residence, which is located on Gatot Subroto, is adjacent to the Hilton Executive Club and within the landscaped gardens of the Jakarta Hilton International complex. It is at the proximity of the Senayan Sports complex, the Sudirman Business District and the Plaza Senayan shopping center. The Four Seasons Residences is strategically located on Jl. Setiabudi Tengah. It is at the center of Jakarta's Golden Triangle, a 500-m away from Jl Jendral Sudirman and 400-m away from Jl. H.R Rasuna Said. It is just within minutes to the embassies, international schools, hospitals and malls.
To keep the residents feel convenient and secured, all apartments provide 24-hour security service. They use metal detector to check cars, motorcycles, bags, staff, tenants, and guests. The security staff regularly checks around the apartment within 24 hours. Some cameras and other equipment are installed to monitor activities at the entry and other strategic points of the building. Some emergency doors are also provided. Several apartments even limit the access to basement car parks to tenants with valid car stickers only. Some others also provide access card to the residents in a bid to limit people coming in and out of the building.
Those apartments provide amenities of home-like atmosphere through its pampering facilities to the residents. For those who stay at serviced apartments, they do not have to worry about kitchen appliances, paintings, lamps and other decorations. They also do not have to think about the repair and maintenance.
The Hilton Residence provides fully furnished and serviced apartments that include daily cleaning. The package includes full electricity and water supply, repair and maintenance on all electrical appliances. It is also equipped with full set of kitchen utensil and dining wares as well as microwave, toaster, blender, coffee maker, and dishwasher. Washing machine, dryer, iron and ironing board are also available.
"Apartment provides more privacy and comfort to the tenants. They can treat it as their own home and put their own decorations," Rina said, adding that there was a number of discounts on all meals in all F&B outlets, laundry shop and florist at the Hilton Hotel.
The tenants of Garden Wing Apartment enjoy all-in package that gives access to facilities at Borobudur Hotel, such as Health Club, Kids Club, tennis courts, restaurants, and parking space. The apartments are fully furnished and vary from one to three bedroom apartments. The monthly rental rate starts from US$ 1,395++ per month. "The fees do not really matter since tenants more prioritize on safety, comfort and home-like atmosphere," Fransiska said.
The Four Seasons Residences provides full hotel service to the tenants. The rental fee is $ 3,900 for furnished, 3-bedroom apartments and $ 3,400 for unfurnished, 3-bedroom apartments. The tenants can enjoy some recreational facilities such as fitness center, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and spa. The apartment also provides concierge, access card, visitor car park, maintenance, emergency backup systems, fire safety and sprinkler, as well as smoke detector.