With an aesthetic and atmosphere shaped by its people’s diversity, Medan’s most distinct architectural gems hark back to Indian, Malaysian, Chinese, and Dutch influences. Art deco buildings punctuate the city’s landscape – a reminder of Dutch colonialism. Built in 1907, the Javasche Bank Medan or the Bank of Indonesia Medan representative office preserves imperial Dutch architecture up until today.
Another unique landmark is the Hotel de Boer, now titled the Grand Inna Hotel. Originally built in 1898 by the Dutch businessman, Aeint Herman de Boer, the hotel once welcomed honored guests of the Dutch East Indies. Such celebrities included King Leopold II of Belgium and Sutan Sjahrir, the first Prime Minister of Indonesia. The hotel operates, to this day, under a different name but with much of its original structure still in place.
Another noteworthy landmark is the Lonsum Building, also known as London Sumatra. Built in 1906 at five floors high, the building was used as a plantation and trade office during the Dutch colonial period. Now functioning as an office block, the style is likeable to similar developments seen in London at the turn of the century, hence its nickname.
Landmarks of Interest
Javasche Bank Medan
Address: Jl. Balai Kota No.4, Kesawan, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20236, Indonesia
Phone: +62 61 4150500
Operating Hours:
Monday – Friday: 08:00am – 4:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
Admission:
– FREE
Website (unofficial)
Hotel de Boer (Grand Inna Hotel)
Address: Jl. Balai Kota No.2, Kesawan, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20111, Indonesia
Phone: +62 61 4157744
Operating Hours:
– Open 24 hours daily
Admission Cost: N/A
Website
Lonsum Building
Address: Jl. Jend. Ahmad Yani No.2, Kesawan, Kec. Medan Bar., Kota Medan, Sumatera Utara 20111, IndonesiaPhone: +62 61 4532300
Operating Hours:
– Monday – Friday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
– Saturday: Closed
– Sunday: 8:00am – 5:00pm
Admission Cost: N/A
Website
