Ipeng Widjojo, CEO of Indonesia Design District, shares the plans and challenges to grow a thriving creative ecosystem in PIK2.
STORY BY Edith Emeralda | PHOTOS BY ASG TEAM
A cup of coffee followed by a brisk walk, weaving through landscaped gardens and decorated storefronts, sets the tone for Ipeng Widjojo’s mornings. He pauses here as the maintenance team conducts an inspection and briefly stops there to greet a store proprietor preparing for an inaugural opening. Surveying the range of Indonesian-made furniture, paintings, and accessories, Ipeng is pleased with their quality, which rivals that of market players. Outside, more shop merchants open their doors wide, signaling a bustling day ahead for Indonesia Design District (IDD)—a one-stop marketplace in PIK2 for all things home and living, lifestyle, and design.
Divided into four main clusters spanning from the southward Thamrin drop-off lobby to the northward Rasuna drop-off lobby, IDD provides directories and wayfinding to guide visitors.
For those building their dream homes, there are established tenants here deal in stones and tiles, wood and ironworks, hardware and fittings, mechanical and electrical. Meanwhile, interior design enthusiasts can enjoy offerings ranging from home and living items to kitchen equipment and appliances, bedroom furnishings, and lighting—not forgetting the latest state-of-the-art sanitary and office furnishing trends.
With equal emphasis, IDD also presents many distinctive art galleries, curated handcrafted wood products, and landscaping accessories. Amidst the vast retail compound, there are pockets of culinary delights and entertainment activities, such as a design-centric indoor and outdoor children’s playground.
Featuring more than 200 brands in IDD, Ipeng was actively involved in the conception, curation, and construction of the development. As the CEO of IDD, he ensures a quality experience across the board, from the moment of arrival into the compound to the culinary journey, accompanied by pleasant music along the airy corridors.
Even before the opening of IDD last year on 16 September, as the business development director at Agung Sedayu Group (ASG), he was already contemplating the big picture within the growing township in the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) area. “IDD, curated by Amantara as a subsidiary of Agung Sedayu Group, is one of the catalysts igniting inspiration for upcoming projects in the surrounding area, benefiting residents and visitors alike. All these facilities will enhance PIK2 as an ideal township to support Jakarta’s growing population,” Ipeng explained.
However, today, visitors travel approximately 10km across three bridges connecting two reclaimed islands before arriving in PIK2. “Our challenge is to change people’s perception of distance by improving accessibility through transportation services, opening tollway access, and creating attractive destinations. Thus, they will grow accustomed to visiting PIK and enjoying each moment here.” Amongst the many destinations and facilities here, everyone benefits from increased public transport connectivity thanks to partnerships with JRConnexion, DAMRI, and TransJakarta buses.
Looking ahead, ASG plans to add an advanced public transportation system to serve the growing population. Additionally, the PIK2 Interchange Tollway will soon open near the PIK2 CBD area, complementing the existing toll exit by the PIK Avenue Mall. “This new tollway will connect PIK2 to the airport in less than 10 minutes and to the inner ring road system as we expand access to other parts of Jakarta,” Ipeng further said.
Meanwhile, visitors seeking to spend their weekends and holidays exploring events and happenings in the area have several choices, including Oakwood Residence PIK, Hotel Osaka PIK2, Swissôtel Jakarta PIK Avenue, and Mercure Jakarta PIK. Additionally, Ipeng, in his capacity as the Executive Advisor to the hotel team under Amantara, has disclosed plans for further collaborations with global hotel brands, set to commence from 2025 onwards.
Furthermore, Ipeng and his teams at IDD collaborate and extend invitations to assorted communities for events and initiatives at the expansive compound. Central to IDD is the Townhall, a 1,000 sqm multi-function space situated near the Mandapa Lobby and seamlessly connected to the Erajaya Digital Complex (EDC). The outdoor area adjacent to the Mandapa Lobby serves as an extended showcase space for events and exhibitions, mirroring the Markethall area situated across from the Townhall.
Amongst the events hosted by IDD are the annual ASG Expo and Synergy Green Building Festival, which draw architects, interior designers, property developers, and various supporting industries. With attendance frequently exceeding 1,000 participants, these events feature expert talk shows, product showcases, and university visits for study tours around the seaside township.
Weekly musical performances, art expositions, and vintage flea markets enrich the vibrant bazaars at IDD’s multifunctional event spaces, showcasing tenants and artisans from both Indonesia and abroad. Ipeng remarked, “Reflecting on the success of our Oktoberfest PIK2 event with the German embassy last September, we have planned further visits and collaborations with embassies, including those from China and Italy. Hopefully, these cultural collaborations will contribute to the expansion of the ecosystem within IDD and PIK2, fostering overall growth in Indonesia.