Colonial architecture in Jakarta

Colonial buildings and structures in Jakarta include those that were constructed during the Dutch colonial period of Indonesia. The period (and the subsequent style) succeeded the earlier period when Jakarta (known then as Jayakarta/Jacatra), governed by the Sultanate of Banten, were completely eradicated and replaced with a walled city of Batavia. The dominant styles of the colonial period can be divided into three periods: the Dutch Golden Age (17th to late 18th century), the transitional style period (late 18th century – 19th century), and Dutch modernism (20th century). Dutch colonial architecture in Jakarta is apparent in buildings such as houses or villas, churches, civic buildings, and offices, mostly concentrated in the administrative city of Central Jakarta and West Jakarta.

Below is a list of colonial buildings and structures found in Jakarta. The list is sorted alphabetically according to its official (local) name. The list can also be sorted to each category.

Buildings that were renovated in a manner that significantly changed their appearance are listed separately to distinguish the different architectural form.

Some notable Chinese-style buildings and Islamic mosques that were built during these period are included in the list for comparison.

Dutch East India Company period – 17th to late 18th century

The first type of colonial architecture grew from the early Dutch settlements in the 17th century when settlements were generally within walled defenses to protect them from attack by other European trade rivals and native revolt. Following the siege of Jayakarta (previously known as Sunda Kelapa) and its demolition by the Dutch in 1619, it was decided to build the headquarters of the Dutch East India Company on the site. Simon Stevin was commissioned to design a plan for the future settlement based on his concept of the 'ideal city'. His response was a rectangular, walled town, bisected by the river Ciliwung which was to be channeled into a straight canal (later known as Grote Rivier or Kali Besar or "Big River" in this area). This new city is called Batavia (now Jakarta). In accordance with Stevin's model, the fortress of Batavia was the most prominent building in the city, symbolizing the center of power, while townhall, markets, and other public buildings were distributed. This layout of Jakarta can still be clearly recognized today in Jakarta Old Town through the layout of the streets and canals, although most of the original 17th-century structures had been destroyed or replaced with newer early 20th-century structures.

The architecture style of this period was the tropical counterparts of 17th-century Dutch architecture. Typical features include the typically Dutch high sash windows with split shutters, gable roofs, and white-coral painted wall (as opposed to exposed brick architecture in the Netherlands). This earlier period of Jakarta had many of the buildings solidly built with relatively enclosed structures, a structure that is not very friendly to tropical climate as compared to the architecture of the next period in Jakarta. The best examples of these types of buildings were located along the Tygersgracht (now Jalan Muka Timur) and all of them were demolished. The best surviving example is Toko Merah.

Several types of Portuguese colonial architecture also exist, usually outside the walled city of Batavia. Tugu Church and Sion Church, with their plain facades and domed windows, are some surviving examples.

In 1808, Daendels officially moved the city center to the south because of the deteriorating condition of the inner town as well as the malaria outbreak. As a result, many buildings and structures from this period were left to deteriorate. Because of financial issues, many buildings were demolished in the 19th century and the debris was used to construct newer structure in the south, such as the Palace of Governor-General Daendels (now the Financial Department of Indonesia) from the debris of Batavia Castle, and Batavia Theater (now Gedung Kesenian Jakarta) from the debris of the Spinhuis.

Later, these empty lots in Jakarta Old Town were filled with newer 20th-century structures. Surviving 17th–18th structures were later converted as Jakarta's cultural heritage, e.g. Toko Merah, Gereja Sion and Jakarta History Museum.

Other dominant architecture styles from this period were the Chinese merchant houses, many were built during the 18th century. Many of these structures show an eclectic mix of Dutch and Chinese influences.

Last official nameFormer namesYearArchitectLocationLatest imageOldest image18th-century Dutch mansion at Kali Besar Barat(Gedung Singa Kuning)Bank of China, formerly Firma Tels & Co18th centuryanonymousArsip NasionalReynier de Klerck house1760Reynier de KlerckBaijen's Country House and the Outer Hospital (demolished, replaced by Citadel Prins Frederik)Baijen's Country House and the Buiten-hospitalbefore 1669, later a hospital, from 1743 until 1820.anonymousBastion Amsterdam (demolished)Amsterdam1632–1635anonymousBastion Buren (demolished)Burenbefore 1650anonymousBastion Cuylenburg (partly demolished, on its site stands Menara Syahbandar)Cuylenburg, Cullenburch, Culemborg1645anonymousBastion Diest and gate (demolished)Diest, Diestpoort1632–1635 (bastion), 1638 (gate), 1657 (gate strengthened with stone)anonymousBastion Enkhuizen (demolished)Enkhuizen1627–1632anonymousBastion Friesland (demolished)Friesland1632–1635anonymousBastion Gelderland (demolished)Gelderland, Punt Gelderland1627–1632anonymousBastion Grimbergen (demolished)Grimbergen1635–1650anonymousBastion Groningen (demolished)Groningen1632–1635 (replacing the older Buren fortification)anonymousBastion Hollandia (demolished)Hollandia1627–1632anonymousBastion Middelburg (demolished)Middelburg1627–1632anonymousBastion Nassau (demolished)Nassau1632–1635anonymousBastion Oranje (demolished)Oranje1627–1632anonymousBastion Overrijsel (demolished)Overrijsel1632–1635anonymousBastion Rotterdam (demolished)Rotterdam1627–1632anonymousBastion Utrecht and portal (demolished)Utrecht Poort1635–1650anonymousBastion Vierkant (demolished)Vierkant1627–1632anonymousBastion Zeeburg (partly demolished in 2017)Zeeburch poort1632–1635anonymousBastion Zeeland (demolished)Zeeland poort1627–1632anonymousBatavia City Hall (1st) and church (demolished between 1622 and 1627.)Kerk en Stadhuis1619–1622anonymousBatavia City Hall (2nd) (replaced with Batavia City Hall (3rd))Batavia Stadhuis1627Binnenhospital, "Inner Hospital" (closed in 1808, demolished in 1910 for De Javasche Bank)Binnenhospital1641anonymousChinese hospital and home for the aged (formally closed in 1912, later demolished)Sinees Sieken Huys1646 Hospitals of Netherlands East Indies 1890 – 1940 – A Comprehensive StudyanonymousDe Middelpunt, "the middle point"De Middelpunt1650–1667anonymousDe Stadskerk (burned down in 1808)De Stadskerk, De Binnenkerk1650–1667, 1669–1672Fort Ancol (demolished)Fort Zouteland, Schaans ZoutelandDie Rhede von Batavia, 1655 Batavia Map. Homann Heirs Nuremberg Publication1656anonymousFort Angke (demolished)See Fort Anké1657anonymousFort Jacatra (Nassau and Mauritius) (dismantled between 1627 and 1632)Fort Jacatrabefore 1619Fort Jacarta Buiten Batavia (demolished)Fort Jacarta Buiten BataviaanonymousFort Meester Cornelis (demolished)Fort Meester Cornelis1734anonymousFort Noordwijk (demolished in 1808)Fort Noordwijk1658anonymousFort Zevenhoek (demolished)Fort Zevenhoek1657anonymousFort Rijswijk (abandoned in 1697, demolished in 1729)Fort RijswijkAugust 1656anonymousGalangan VOC Restaurant and Ta San YenCarpenter's shop of the Dutch East Indies1627–1632 or before 1650 or 1727Jagad Mayanipun Mas Oyé . Masoye.multiply.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011.anonymousGedung Candra Naya (1957)Landhuis Kroet / Landhuis Van Majoor der Chinezen Khouw Kim An or "residence of Chinese Mayor Khouw Kim An"18th centuryKhouw Tjoen (first resident)Gerbang Amsterdam or "Amsterdam Gate" (demolished in the 1950s)Amsterdamsepoort, Pinangpoort, Kasteelpoort1744Gereja SionDe Buitenkerk1695E. Ewout VerhagenGereja TuguPortuguese Church1676–1678, rebuilt in 1737, and later in 1748.Melchior Leidecker, later rebuilt by Julius VinckGovernment House or a 'Playhouse' (demolished)Huis van de Generaal/Speelhuis1632-1650anonymousGreat Palace of Weltevreden (demolished in 1820, now Gatot Soebroto Army Hospital)Great Palace of Weltevreden / Landhuis Weltevreden1761Asia Finest Discussion Forum – Pic's of VOC forts in Ambon . Asiafinest.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011.for Jacob MosselGroeneveld (estate)Tandjoeng Oost Huis, "Gedong Tinggi". Mengintip Sisa Rumah Tuan Tanah di Pasar Rebo. Detik News. Retrieved February 12, 2015.. Landgoed Groeneveld. Familie Wiki. Retrieved February 12, 2015.1756–1760. A beautiful Dutch villa in ruins. Jakarta Post. Retrieved February 12, 2015.Pieter van de Velde (first owner)Jembatan Gantung Kota IntanEngelse Brug / Het Middelpuntbrug / Grote Boom or "Large Tree Bridge" / Djembatan Hoenderpasser Kali Besar or Hoenderpasserbrug or "Chicken Market Bridge" (1900s)Jagad Mayanipun Mas Oyé . Masoye.multiply.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011.Djawa Tempo Doeloe – by Priambodo Prayitno . Djawatempodoeloe.multiply.com. Retrieved July 6, 2011. / Ophaalbrug Juliana (1938), September 20131655 (after the demolition of earlier English Bridge, located 100 meter to the south), 1937 (renovated)Kasteel BataviaKasteel Batavia1619anonymousMesjid Luar Batang, Luar Batang MosqueMesjid Luar Batang1739 (established)Sayid Husein bin Abubakar Alaydrus (founder)Mohr Observatory (demolished in 1812)Mohr Observatory1765Johan Maurits MohrMuseum BahariWarehouse1652–1771anonymousMuseum Sejarah JakartaBatavia City Hall (3rd)1706–1710W.J. van der VeldeNieuwe Hollandse Kerk, "New Church of Holland" (destroyed by earthquake in 1808, Wayang Museum is now on its site)Nieuwe Hollandse Kerk, Groote Hollandse Kerk1736Nieuwe Poort, "New Gate" (demolished)Nieuwe Poort1627–1632anonymousOld Gelderland defence works (demolished after 1667)Oud Gelderland1622–1627anonymousOude Hollandse Kerk, "Old Holland Church" (demolished in 1732, bottom part still visible)Oude Hollandse Kerk / Kruiskerk, "Cross Church"1640anonymousOude Utrechtse Poort, "Old Utrecht Gate" (demolished)Oude Utrechtse Poort1632–1650anonymousPasar Ikan, "Fish Market"VismarktanonymousPlayhouse of Adriaan van HaftePlayhouse of Adriaan van Hafte18th centuryanonymousTanjung PriokRaja Kuring RestaurantCarpenter's shop of the Chinese1632–1635anonymousSpinhuis, "spinning-house for single women" (later merged with Chinese Hospital, then demolished)Spinhuis, Spinhuys1635–1650anonymousThe Latin and Greek School (demolished)The Latin and Greek School1622-1627anonymousToko Merahsee Toko Merah1730According to a plaque in front of Toko Merah.for Gustaaf Willem van ImhoffVihara Dharma BhaktiKim Tek Ie1650, 1755 (restored)Kwee Hoen (Guo Xun-Gan)Vismarkt, "Fish Market" (earlier structure) (demolished)Vismarkt, Vischmarkt1632–1635anonymousWaterkasteel (demolished)Waterkasteel / "Hornwerk"File: Design for a water fort on Batavia . Atlasofmutualheritage.nl. Retrieved July 6, 2011.1741, 1750anonymousWooden former office building at Kali Besar Timur (abandoned)Various offices; Chinese shops (early 18th-century)early 18th-centuryanonymous

Colonialism – late 18th century to 1870 After the VOC was formally dissolved in 1800 the Batavian Republic expanded all the VOC's territorial claims into a fully fledged colony named the Dutch East Indies. From the company's regional headquarters Batavia now evolved into the capital of the colony. In 1808 Daendels moved the old town center to higher ground to the south and urbanized the area known as Weltevreden. During the British interregnum Daendels was replaced by Raffles who governed until 1816.