Blok M Hub: Revamped South Jakarta Hotspot Draws Crowds

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TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - After undergoing a revitalization, Blok M Hub — formerly known as Mal Blok M — in South Jakarta now has a fresh look. Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung officially inaugurated the transformed space on Saturday, May 25, 2025.

At the entrance next to the minimarket, the access area leading to the Blok M bus terminal appears strikingly artistic. The semi-vaulted corridor is predominantly yellow, with walls adorned by a simple geometric mosaic-style mural that leans towards a neo-muralist aesthetic.

Going down the stairs, several red cloths hang among the corridors, giving an aesthetic touch reminiscent of traditional markets or bazaars. At the bottom of the stairs, this underground passage is no longer as dark and messy as it once was.

Stairs leading to Blok M Hub, Blok M, South Jakarta, after revitalization, Wednesday, May 28, 2025. TEMPO/M. Rifan Prianto

A Cleaner, Brighter Environment

One visitor, Anderson, 46, said that the area now looks clean. "With the additional lighting, it's starting to become visible (not dark anymore) and feels clean. Not like before, which was more like a haunted house," Anderson told Tempo on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

Similar comments were made by Awan, a student who came to look for thrift clothes with his friends. According to him, before the renovation, the area had poor lighting, making it very dark. "Every time I passed through here, it felt spooky. But after the renovation and some shops opening, it's good, so the economy here is coming back to life," he said.

This area was once a bustling shopping hub from the 1990s to the early 2000s, established during the administration of Jakarta Governor Wiyogo Atmodarminto in the late 1980s. However, due to the rise of digital transactions and a lack of attention to place management, visitor numbers dwindled, and traders gradually left.

Challenges and Hopes for Full Potential

Despite the revitalization, Blok M Hub's activity is not yet fully optimal. Only a small fraction of the stalls are occupied, predominantly by food vendors. During lunchtime, however, these food stalls see a steady flow of customers, mostly office workers from nearby areas.

According to a cook at Nasi Bistik Simpang, Blok M Hub is busier on weekdays than on weekends, as most buyers are office workers. The food stalls were only fully activated late last year, so the public is still becoming familiar with the area.

Visitors are still largely found in other areas like Blok M Square. In addition to the limited number of open stalls, the comfort, such as air circulation, is not yet very good. Anderson himself admitted that he still does not feel completely comfortable because it feels stuffy. Also, the entry and exit points are still confusing for him.

Nostalgia

Nevertheless, the community hopes that this place will become as lively as it once was. This hope was expressed by Yanti, a resident of Pasar Minggu, who has been visiting this place since she was young. "It used to be very lively. Oh, it was difficult to walk through because there were so many vendors and customers coming," she recalled.

She also suggested that promotion needs to be improved, such as holding live music events to attract people to visit a place that brings back many memories for most Jakarta residents.

The Jakarta Governor also hopes that Blok M Hub can become a fresh symbol for Jakarta and be recognized as one of the central areas in Southeast Asia.

How to Get to Blok M Hub

There are many ways to reach Blok M Hub, either by private vehicle or public transport.

If you are using public transport from Bekasi, you can take the LRT and get off at Cawang. Then, transfer to Transjakarta Line 4K to Kejaksaan Agung. After that, it is a two-minute walk north. Blok M Hub is located next to the left side of Taman Literasi (Martha Christina Tiahahu Literacy Park).

If you are starting from South Tangerang, you can take the MRT directly towards Bundaran HI (HI Roundabout). Then, get off at MRT Blok M BCA station. After that, walk south for two minutes to the entrance of the Blok M Hub corridor.

For visitors coming from Depok, you can take the KRL (commuter train) from Depok Station towards Jakarta Kota/Manggarai. Get off at Manggarai station, then take another train to Tanah Abang and get off at Sudirman Station. From there, continue by taking the MRT towards Lebak Bulus and get off at MRT Blok M BCA Station. After that, visitors can walk to Blok M Hub.