Prestigious head office of Amsterdam Trading Company
- Jl. Merak No. 1, Surabaya Kota
- Mon-Thurs 7am-4.30pm, Fri 7am-2pm
Architectural gem
PTPN XI is one of the highlights along this trail. No efforts were spared to build the prestigious headquarters of the Amsterdam Trading Company (HVA Handelsvereeniging Amsterdam). It took three years and 3,000m³ of concrete to construct Gedung PTPN XI and it was the biggest building during that period. Many materials were imported from the Netherlands such as floor tiles, roof tiles, and Belgian marble for the entrance hall, staircase and corridors.
More than other buildings from that period, the design by Hulswit, Fermont and Cuypers had a strong reference to traditional architecture and incorporated local elements. Most notable is the indoor badminton court on the 2nd floor and the shape of the roof but there are also more subtle details such as the flower motives and Islamic arches between the columns and Javanese reliefs on the front façade.
Want to have a look?
Now it is used for the office of PTPN XI (the national plantation company). This building is only accessible for the guests of PTPN XI, however, if you ask the security they’ll allow you into the courtyard. A small donation would be appreciated.
Symbol of Surabaya
The shark and crocodile motive in the stained glass windows represents the symbol of Surabaya.
Twin brother
The HVA building has a twin brother in the city of Medan on the island of Sumatra. It was designed by the same company in 1924, it is a bit smaller but very similar in style.
