During the Japanese colonial rule (1942) until the 1950s, it became a favorite gathering place for prominent writers such as Ajip Rosidi, Wim Umboh and H.B Jassin.
During the 1970s and 1990s, it continued to grow into an commerce and entertainment center with two oldest cinema buildings, as well as the first vertical parking space in Jakarta.
Since the communal riots in 1998, its prestige began to fade. The situation was exacerbated by the construction of Plaza Atrium, which draws more crowds.
Read: Unperturbed, sales of second-hand clothes in Senen goes on
Over time, Pasar Senen began to be abandoned. The historic market became dilapidated. Pasar Senen has again caught in the crosshairs after the government bans thrifting because it is considered harmful to the domestic textile industry. (un)