Pondok Indah

Pondok Indah is an upscale residential area in Pondok Pinang, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta, Indonesia. It is one of the most prestigious suburb areas in Jakarta, and even in Indonesia. Pondok Indah is a much sought-after suburb by expatriates, conglomerates, celebrities, and government officials.
Houses in this suburb can run upwards to millions of U.S. dollars. In 2021, the price range of houses in the suburb equals to Beverly Hills, California. Many of the larger mansions are inhabited by wealthy Indonesians and expatriates.
This area was built in the 70s by Ciputra through Metropolitan Kentjana Group in the 70s and is designed to be the most prestigious and complete residential complex and commercial area in Indonesia.
Landmarks in the suburb includes Pondok Indah Mall (top five shopping malls in Indonesia according to Forbes), and Pondok Indah Hospital.
The name Pondok Indah is a combination of two Indonesian words, "Pondok" and "Indah". According to Ciputra, the name "pondok" refers to Pondok Pinang, the name of the plantation area which became the development area of the residence and also the administrative village (Kelurahan) of Kebayoran Lama. Literally, pondok means residence or house, while indah means beautiful. Thus, if the two words are combined, it become "a beautiful house". The name Pondok Indah was in accordance with Ciputra's wishes to made it as the most luxurious residence in Jakarta.
Pondok Indah area was previously a vast expanse of dry fields, rice fields, and also a rubber and secondary crops plantations. At one point, the area was visited by a famous architect and urban developer, Ciputra, which according to him, the plantation area is very strategic, since it is bordered by Jalan Ciputat Raya (which was previously part of the National Road from Jakarta to Bogor that passed through Palmerah, Ciputat, and Parung) to the west and Lebak Bulus to the south. The plantation is located near Kebayoran Baru (the first modern satellite city in Indonesia) and is not a flood-prone area, and the soil does not contain salt like in the northern region of Jakarta. The area was also still a stretch of mild forest and a source of clean water.
Ciputra felt that Jakarta would reach its population boom in the 1970s. He predicted that a large number of vertical housings would occupy Jakarta in the future. That became the reason for him to redevelop the plantation area into a new satellite city.
On developing Pondok Indah, Ciputra partners with Sudono Salim which at the time Salim wanted to develop Sunter area, Jakarta. Pitching that the plantation has better soil and air quality compared to Sunter, Salim agreed to work together and finance the development of Pondok Indah. He later said:
Ciputra and his colleagues started the development in the 70s. He only built few houses, since Ciputra felt that the behavioral of the elites which want to design and build their own houses.
Ciputra was worried because the budget to acquire land and build road infrastructure and waterways were enormous. Therefore, they build small houses in the north of Pondok Indah area to grab quick funds, which were sold out quickly. Most interested people were whom have been rich for a long time, and new rich people who have emerged as a result of business activity.
6°17′S 106°47′E﻿ / ﻿6.283°S 106.783°E﻿ / -6.283; 106.783