The concept of “rags to riches” doesn’t always apply to a person. Jakarta’s famous Sudirman business district was once a not-so-great urban area. But how did it evolve to be the heart of Jakarta’s economy, exactly?
The transformation of the Sudirman Central Business District (SCBD) didn’t go without a long journey. It all began back in 1987, when an Indonesian real estate company, PT. Danayasa Arthatama Tbk., proposed a master plan to create a modern commercial area.
In the present day, SCBD has become the epicentrum of business in not only Jakarta but also the whole country. In this article, learn about the famous business district in Jakarta, from its past development to the present lifestyle and office opportunities.
What Defines the Sudirman Business District
The characteristic of the Sudirman business district, or SCBD, is defined by its integrated mixed-use development concept. This business district combines residential, commercial, cultural, and entertainment all into one zone for high-class workers.
If the term “Golden Triangle of Jakarta” doesn’t seem to ring a bell, SCBD is actually a part of that region. It makes SCBD even stand out compared to most of the regions in Indonesia.
Not only because it is considered a “magnet” for multinational companies and expats, SCBD is also continuing its growth by integrating smart city technologies and sustainability.
The Rise of the Sudirman Business District
The story of a slum urban area becoming the most prestigious business hub seems like fiction. And yet, SCBD exists to prove it’s real. This section will explain the history of its development in the past and present.
Historical Development of Sudirman
The timeline of the SCBD’s historical development is pretty straightforward:
- 1987 – When it all started with the master plan of PT. Danayasa Arthatama Tbk. It took 5 years to complete the master plan.
- 1992 – Once approved by the government of Jakarta, the construction began on 45-hectare slums in the Golden Triangle of Jakarta.
- 1995 – The first office building, Artha Graha Building, finished its construction. It received green building certifications in June 2024, 19 years later.
- 1998 – The Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) building finished its construction, turning SCBD into something economically important. The Kusuma Chandra Apartment was also finished in 1998.
- 2002 – To support the growth of SCBD for commercial business, PT. Danayasa Arthatama Tbk. made an initial public offering of 100 million stocks on the IDX.
- 2004 to 2006 – The construction of SCBD Suites and Capital Residence apartments was finished.
- 2007 to 2011 – The premium office buildings, One Pacific Place and Equity Tower, finished their construction.
- 2013 to 2017 – A true premium grade A office building, Pacific Century Place, finished its construction. It received the highest green building certifications, LEED Platinum.
- 2017 to present – A 5-star hotel, Discovery SCBD, and a mixed development complex, District 8, are recently completed.
Corporate and Financial Expansion
SCBD won’t dominate Jakarta’s skyline with their skyscrapers today without corporate and financial expansion. In 2019, The Jakarta Post reported that many technology companies occupied about 55 percent of the 248,000 m² of office space in the SCBD.
Multinational corporations like Google and Microsoft are also playing their part as well. Several years ago, Google opened their new office in Pacific Century Place, and Microsoft opened theirs in the IDX Building.
Why the Sudirman Business District Attracts Global Companies
It does make one wonder why there are a lot of global companies in Sudirman Jakarta. There are several reasons why SCBD becomes a magnet for them:
Concentration of Corporate Headquarters
SCBD has become a nest for many corporate headquarters Jakarta for decades. Google and Microsoft are just two of many multinational companies that choose the famous business hub as their regional headquarters.
This concentration makes SCBD a good place for networking and forging business relationships. This reason alone makes SCBD become appealing to global companies and startups.
Infrastructure and Connectivity
SCBD is a crowded business district, but it still provides good transport infrastructure and urban connectivity. First, reaching an airport and business district clusters won’t take much time, since they are well-interconnected.
SCBD also has MRT stations and TransJakarta, which makes it a commute-friendly urban area. The prices are affordable, so workers from other regions use it to come here.
Business Ecosystem Advantage
SCBD also offers a strategic connection between clients/customers and stakeholders through a solid business ecosystem. This helps companies to improve their positioning to create customer value and new market opportunities.
Lifestyle Around the Sudirman Business District
When it comes to lifestyle, there are good things and bad things about SCBD. The good things are coming from SCBD’s combination of luxury, prestige, and convenience, which makes it a perfect place for professionals and foreigners/expats.
Now the bad thing is it is easy for people to indulge in a hedonistic lifestyle in SCBD. In fact, many workers who are living in the business hub are actively having the rich lifestyle, often referred to as the “SCBD Lifestyle.”
Otherwise, SCBD has it all, from stores and restaurants to entertainment venues. It’s not hard to see many workers and people from other places drinking, buying, and spending here.
Also Read: Living in Sudirman Jakarta: What Expats Should Know
Office Space in the Sudirman Business District
Office space in Sudirman Central Business District consists of various types. However, traditional offices and private offices make up the majority of office space in this business hub.
Traditional Office Towers
Many traditional office spaces in Sudirman towers soar in the SCBD as if it were their own territory. These towers have either Grade A or A+ (Premium) office spaces. What are the differences?
- Grade A towers were built 10–20 years ago but still have well-maintained facilities with moderately high rent prices. An example of this is the Indonesian Stock Exchange (IDX) Tower (both 1 & 2).
- Grade A+ or Premium towers are recently built office towers with stylish architecture and full premium facilities that come with expensive rent prices. An example of this is Pacific Century Place.
Flexible Private Offices
In SCBD, there is also a flexible office Sudirman with fully furnished space and customizable design. A private office in Sudirman can be leased short-term, making it ideal for startups to grow their business.
For example, Flow offers light-filled flexible private offices with a signature AYANA world-class design, integrated technologies, and premium facilities, located in SCBD (Midplaza 1).
Why Businesses Continue Choosing the Sudirman Business District
It’s undeniable that given the combination of strategic location, lifestyle amenities, and being the center of multinational corporate headquarters, businesses will continue to choose SCBD as their address.
Businesses can’t just open their offices in random places. They have to consider the location based on several factors, all of which can be found on SCBD. In the end, it is indeed the heart of Jakarta’s growing economy.
If you want to establish your headquarters in the Sudirman business district, remember that Flow can be your ultimate solution. Book a tour and secure your headquarters in Jakarta’s famous business hub with Flow today.