Old is cool as Jakarta turns colonial buildings into popular hangouts

Cafes, shops, live music and art shows breathe new life into heritage-filled places.

- Stania Puspawardhani

JAKARTA - Whoosh. Clank. The steady rhythm of printing presses once echoed through the vast recesses of Jakarta's Dutch colonial-era money-printing factory, redolent of ink and paper, history and tradition.

Fast forward to today, and the soundscape has shifted: Laughter spills from cosy cafes, lively chatter buzzes as shoppers dart in and out of boutiques, and the sound of music draws curious onlookers to the courtyard space as local band members tune their instruments before a performance.

M Bloc Space is a standout example of how the capital city is breathing new life into its architectural past: A former abandoned money-printing factory shedding its past function to be reborn as a vibrant social and cultural hub for Jakartans.

For Ms Hilda Lionata, a 45-year-old manager of a conservation group, M Bloc Space is a regular hangout after work, for drinks, dinner and just chilling out.

"It's close to my office and a great place to catch up with my friends. People can easily get here by MRT, or from the nearby bus terminal, so it's really convenient to arrange a meet-up," she said.

M Bloc Space is a revitalisation project within the Blok M area of Jakarta which began in 2019. The individual buildings within that space — including the former money-printing factory, were constructed well before the 1950s. The project is a collaboration between state-owned securities paper and banknote printing company Perum Peruri, which owns the complex, and Ruang Riang Millenial, to create welcoming community spaces in Jakarta.