An Indonesian tycoon is confirming its interest to enrich Jakarta with a new giant tower, dubbed to become the fifth highest in the world.
JAKARTA- The old rivalry between Malaysia and Indonesia is likely to take a new twist following jakarta’s announcement to get a new skyscraper which will become the highest in Southeast Asia, taking over the title from the Petronas Twin towers. The project was announced by Indonesian tycoon Tommy Winata for a US$2-billion skyscraper, called Signature Tower. The building will rise 635 metres over Jakarta and will comprise 111 storeys with a mix of offices, condominium apartments and a hotel.
MGM Hospitality has been selected to manage the hotel and serviced apartments in the tower. The tower is likely to become the central point within the central business district of Sudirman in the capital city. “The presence of MGM will bring new colour and a vibrant atmosphere to the Jakarta metropolis, so that it becomes equivalent to other metropolitan cities in the world,” said Santoso Gunara, president of PT Danayasa Arthatama Tbk, a subsidiary of Indonesia’s Artha Graha Company. MGM selected its Bellagio Brand to be located in the Signature building. The hotel will have 290 six-star rooms while a second hotel with 350 rooms will open under the MGm Grand Hotel & Serviced Apartments brand in a nearby tower. Both will connected on the nine-floor by a centre which will comprise a deluxe retail area and a convention centre with capacities for 6,000 delegates. Construction is planned to start before the end of the year –but most likely early 2013- for a planned opening in 2017.
Artha Graha Company is also involved into another massive infrastructure project in Lampung: the construction of a 29-kilometre physicial link, the Sunda Strait Bridge, which would finally link both islands of Java and Sumatra. The project is valued at an estimated US$ 10.9 billion.
Luc Citrinot a French national is a freelance journalist and consultant in tourism and air transport with over 20 years experience. Based in Paris and Bangkok, he works for various travel and air transport trade publications in Europe and Asia.
