Jakarta, IO – Toko Merah (Red Shop) in Kota Tua, Jakarta’s old quarter is set to be open to public. However, public access to explore the entire building is only for visitors who have visited the cafe called RODE Winkel, per DetikTravel, Thu (9/11).
This building, built by Gustaff Willem Baon van Imhoff in 1730, has often changed functions over the 290 years, as a shop, office, and even left abandoned. Currently, part of the space is used as a cafe.
The establishment of this cafe was part of the effort to preserve the cultural heritage building which had been unused for quite a long time. The cafe caters to tourists who are curious about the historical building located on the west side of the Kali Besar canal.
“If the building is left without maintenance or activity, it will end up neglected and damaged,” said RODE Winkle general manager Andreas Rizky.
To access the entire building, visitors must first purchase a tour package. “We are currently reviewing the plan by mid-November, maybe we can open it to the public for tour packages,” explained Andreas.
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Additionally, he said that he would create tour packages not only at Toko Merah, but also at several other colonial-style buildings in the historic area.
“We seek to collaborate with relevant parties to create activities or tour packages that will allow people to visit several cultural heritage buildings in Kota Tua,” he said. (at)