Matraman

What comes to mind when you hear the name Matraman? A neighborhood often associated with clashes between residents, a song title by the band The Upstairs, or an exotic area with a long history in East Jakarta? You wouldn’t be entirely wrong if you associated Matraman with those three things. However, the fact is, Matraman has many other interesting aspects that deserve your attention.

Matraman is one of the districts in East Jakarta, covering an area of 21.66 square kilometers, making it the smallest district in East Jakarta. It is divided into six sub-districts and bordered by Cempaka Putih, Pulo Gadung, Jatinegara, and Tebet districts. Its location is fairly strategic, as the main roads connect it to Rawamangun, Jatinegara, and Salemba.

Historically, as explained by Zaenuddin HM in his book 212 Asal-Usul Djakarta Tempo Doeloe, Matraman has a historical connection with Batavia, the old name for Jakarta. In the 377-page book published by Ufuk Press in October 2012, it is stated that the area served as a stronghold for the Mataram army during their overland attack on Batavia.

According to F. de Haan in his book Oud Batavia, Matraman was once mentioned as land owned by David Jogannes Smith, which was then given to the Javanese people from Mataram. This was likely granted after Mataram came under the influence of the Dutch East India Company (VOC), following the signing of a treaty between Mataram and the VOC on February 28, 1677. During that time, skilled Mataram people, such as bronze craftsmen, established businesses in the area now known as Pegangsaan.

Other sources suggest that Matraman was the residence of a landowner named Tuan Matterman, as written by Professor Dr. Djoko Soekirman in his dissertation Kebudayaan Indis. Another theory, mentioned by Mohammad Sulhi in Intisari magazine (June 2002, article Betawi yang Tercecer di Jalan), states that Matraman was a legacy of Prince Diponegoro’s followers.

The long historical records of Matraman make the area even more fascinating. Even today, Matraman remains one of the most interesting neighborhoods in Jakarta to explore due to its rapid development.

Besides its strategic location, Matraman hosts many notable buildings and properties suitable for business hubs. It is also home to the largest Gramedia bookstore in Indonesia—and even in Southeast Asia—as well as the LIA Foundation building, an institution focused on English language education.

Other notable establishments in Matraman include Pramuka Bird Market, the largest poultry market in Southeast Asia, and Pramuka Pharmacy, a major medicine distribution center in Jakarta.

With the many businesses and economic centers located in Matraman, it is clear that this area is highly strategic and profitable for business opportunities. With numerous sectors still open for development, entrepreneurs have the potential to reap great benefits in the future, as Matraman meets all the requirements to become a prime business hub.

If you are interested in finding a business location in Matraman, this is the place to explore!

The Appeal of Matraman

Its strategic location is one of the main reasons why Matraman should be your choice for your next business location. Not only is it easily accessible, but it also provides public facilities and supporting infrastructure that allow entrepreneurs to expand their businesses further.

Covering an area of 485 hectares, Matraman uses 82.68% of its land for residential purposes and 17.36% for other functions. Interestingly, this district does not host any major industries.

This statistic shows that with most land dedicated to housing, Matraman is highly attractive to businesses in property, services, and other sectors. Investors in these areas are sure to gain future profits.

Transportation Access in Matraman

One of the key reasons Matraman is a prime business location is its excellent accessibility from across Jakarta and even outside the capital.

For those using private cars, ride-hailing services, or conventional taxis, Matraman can be reached directly via major roads connecting Rawamangun, Jatinegara, and Salemba.

For public transportation users, such as TransJakarta, city buses, and Jak Lingko microtrans, here are some available routes:

Microlet

• M01: Kampung Melayu – Senen (via Jalan Raya Matraman)
• M35: Kampung Melayu – Senen (via Kayu Manis–Utan Kayu)
• M21: Kampung Melayu – Pulogadung (via Kayu Manis–Utan Kayu)
• APB JT 04: Jatinegara – Kayu Manis

Metromini

• T46: Pulogadung – Kampung Melayu (via Jalan Raya Pramuka/Utan Kayu Utara)
• T49: Pulogadung – Manggarai

City Buses

• PPD 11: Pulogadung – Grogol (via Jalan Raya Pramuka)
• PPD 210: Rawamangun – Grogol (via Jalan Raya Pramuka)
• PPD 38: Rawamangun – Blok M (via Jalan Raya Pramuka)
• Steady Safe AC 32: Rawamangun – Blok M (via Jalan Raya Pramuka)

Facilities and Infrastructure in Matraman

As one of Jakarta’s strategic locations, Matraman offers complete facilities, including diverse transportation options, educational institutions, sufficient healthcare facilities, and more.

For higher education, you can find the Indonesian Institute of Technology (STTI), the Finance and Banking Academy (LPI), the Foreign Language Academy – English Academy Matraman, and the Indonesian Tax College, among others.

In terms of shopping, Matraman is limited, with Gramedia being the most notable establishment. For healthcare, there is Matraman General Hospital (RSUD Matraman) and Jakarta Heart Hospital. For culinary exploration, Matraman offers many gems, such as the famous Warung Sate Kambing Pak Bustaman in East Jakarta.

Renting Office Buildings in Matraman

Finding office rentals in Matraman is not difficult. Through SewaKantorCBD, you can easily find the best office buildings.

According to SewaKantorCBD’s recommendations, there are currently two office buildings available in Matraman. Visit their website for detailed information and the best offers.