[Kabar-indonesia] PT Bakrieland Begins Construction of US$368m 'Superblock'

[JoyoNews at aol.com]

The Jakarta Post
Thursday, June 22, 2006

Bakrieland starts construction of Rp 3.5t 
(US$368 million) 'superblock' 

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

photo: New Superblock: President director of PT Bakrieland Development Tbk, 
Marudi Surachman, shows off a model of the Rasuna Epicentrum "superblock" 
to urban development expert Prof. M. Danisworo, and I Wayan Blaju, a board 
member of contractor PT Hutama Karya, after Wednesday's groundbreaking ceremony 
for the development. (JP/Mulkan Salmona) 

Publicly listed property firm PT Bakrieland Development Tbk kicked off the 
construction Wednesday of the Rp 3.5 trillion (US$368 million) Rasuna 
Epicentrum "superblock" in Kuningan, South Jakarta.

The development will consist of an office tower, apartments, a concert hall, 
a media center and a park along a nearby riverbank. 

President director Marudi Surachman, accompanied by the other members of the 
Board of Directors, led the groundbreaking ceremony at the 44.7-hectare site 
in front of the company's Rasuna Club near Jl. Rasuna Said. 

"This officially starts the construction of the infrastructure for the whole 
superblock," he said. 

The infrastructure he referred to includes basic facilities, such as the 
drainage system, and electricity, telecommunications, water and gas networks, as 
well as the waste treatment system and access roads. 

"Infrastructure is the most important part of this project. As a superblock, 
the Rasuna Epicentrum will boast high quality buildings that provide all 
possible comforts to tenants and visitors," Marudi said. 

He added that the construction of the infrastructure would be carried out in 
three phases and was expected to be completed in less than two years. 

Bakrieland has appointed local contractor Hutama Karya to construct the 
infrastructure. 

While the infrastructure was being developed, Bakrieland would also start on 
the construction of a 48-story office building, to be called the Bakrie Tower, 
as well as the Epicentrum Walk, the Lifestyle Center and an apartment 
building. It would also renovate the existing Pasar Festival shopping center. 

The entire development was expected to be completed in 2010. 

According to chief marketing officer Ferry S. Supandji, 80 percent of the 
space in the Bakrie Tower has already been sold, even though construction will 
not start until July. 

"We have sold about 50,000 square meters out of the total floor space of 
60,000 square meters. Most of those taking space in the tower are member companies 
of the Bakrie Group. A number of other companies, including foreign firms, 
have also taken space," he said. 

Marudi said the "superblock" would be unique in the capital. 

"For example, people walking along the Epicentrum Walk will be treated to 
music and performances by entertainers every day," he said.

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Joyo Indonesia News Service
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