Cover Natalia Kusumo, CEO of Amantara, Agung Sedayu Group.
Natalia Kusumo, CEO of Amantara, Agung Sedayu Group.
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Natalia Kusumo, CEO of Amantara as a subsidiary of Agung Sedayu Group, shares her travel stories and how they inspire her work to create a better life
“It was the first time I got sunburnt.”
Her laughter rang joyfully as Natalia Kusumo recounted her memories of traveling to Miami with her best friends during a spring break while studying in the US. “Other than the hot weather, the people there left a warm impression on me; they were fun and genuine as we shared stories.” While exploring the downtown area, they chanced upon a shopping district with tasty restaurants and sleek shops lining both sides of the airy lane. Shimmering koi ponds ran in the middle, punctuated by waving palm fronds, elevating the lush landscape into a different shopping environment.
She brought her fond memories and impressions of Miami to Jakarta, to By The Sea PIK on Golf Island, off the shores of Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK). As the CEO of Amantara, the Commercial and Hotels subsidiary of Agung Sedayu Group (ASG), Natalia curates and manages lifestyle destinations around the PIK area. “Each site has its stories from my travels coupled with Indonesian infusions. By The Sea, for example, also finds inspiration from Bali to complete its relaxing tropical feeling symbolized by the frangipani flower on the logo.” Before By The Sea PIK, with the beginning of Amantara on Golf Island, there was Pantjoran PIK.
In case you missed it: Discovering Indonesian Styles at By The Sea PIK
After spending much of her formative years in Singapore, Natalia found commonalities in her motherland of Indonesia upon tracing her Chinese Peranakan heritage. Thus, Pantjoran PIK finds architectural inspiration from buildings in Guangdong and Fujian. These provinces in China are the origins of many settlers in Batavia or today's Old Town Jakarta, especially Jembatan Lima, Pancoran, Glodok, and surrounding neighborhoods. Similarly, traces of architectural heritage from the olden days from an acculturation lens echo through Batavia PIK.
Strolling down the wide boardwalks while enjoying stunning seaside views, this modern melting pot presents an array of global culinary choices. Meanwhile, after crossing the bridge into Riverwalk Island, the upcoming Pasar Rakjat sets a lively atmosphere through a conceptual marketplace-like tenancy. In tandem with Pantjoran PIK, Pasar Rakjat welcomes small-medium enterprises to complete the picture of Jakarta, now and then, as a bustling maritime trade hub.
Above Natalia Kusumo, CEO of Amantara, Agung Sedayu Group.
Natalia Kusumo, CEO of Amantara, Agung Sedayu Group.
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Natalia said that these destinations are more than nostalgic notions because they, too, serve educational purposes in a positive and hopeful manner. “Besides improving the user experience, these destinations showcase the colors and spirit of Nusantara through its various cultures and architectures. Our tenants are mostly legendary and familiar names to reflect the rich culinary heritage, to preserve the history, and present a sense of community,” she said.
As an avid traveler, Natalia often seeks the warmth of a community wherever she goes. During her college years in California, the community-driven neighborhood of Clement Street in San Francisco drew Natalia’s attention. “There were local businesses like bakeries, restaurants, shops, and cafés along the street; it was a warm, family-oriented place perfect for gathering with your loved ones. This kind of homey feeling is what I emulate in Central Market PIK.” In the lofty main atrium, a series of terraced steps crisscrossed by greeneries naturally draws the eyes upward to the steel beams and industrial-sized ceiling fans.
Keeping the air cool with minimum air conditioning, Central Market promotes a sustainable lifestyle for the community as well—becoming the first retail building in Indonesia to achieve the green building EDGE Advanced Preliminary Certificate. “Central Market PIK is a good example of mixing the indoor and outdoor areas of a building, which is a trend I see happening these days. The growing upcoming projects that Amantara manages will follow suit to fit the urban lifestyle, bringing a better life for the population.”
Read more: Explore The New Indonesia Design District PIK2
Onwards, reflecting on ASG’s mission to be at the forefront of the Indonesian real estate industry, Amantara is diversifying its portfolio into the mixed-use category. Amantara aims to improve the quality of living in Jakarta, where residents and visitors can enjoy an integration of working, living, and having fun—all within a sustainable lifestyle.
”The key is knowing your market to find the complementary elements within a holistic ecosystem to support a community. Moreover, by analyzing the human behavior and reading the data, we get to see the patterns and directions of the trend,” Natalia said. Traveling plays an equally important role in expanding the horizon for her, especially when done with a critical point of view to apply the lessons learned.
“I am excited about Amantara’s opportunities to develop on a larger scale to impact more lives, especially to improve the quality of living in Indonesia. Together, we can build a better life.”
