This building with an Indische architectural style that stands on Jalan Margotomo number 125 is not far from Tugu, in the southern part on the west side of the road. Judging from its location, it appears that this building is in the philosophical axis of the city of Yogyakarta, an important component in the layout of the city of Yogyakarta, from the sultanate period until now. Based on the results of previous studies, this building was used as a grocery store in 1958 with the name Fen store.
Indis Building Jalan Margotomo No 125, 1950. Source: Djokja en Solo. Beeld ven de Vorstensteden.
Indische Building Jalan Margotomo No 125
Before Becoming a Dowa Shop. Source: Dowa
Indis Building Jalan Margotomo No 125. 1998. Source: Djokja en Solo. Beeld ven de Vorstensteden
The building was purchased in 2013 by Mrs. Delia and was intended to be used as a public space as a showroom for Dowa's knitting bags and Honje restaurant. The showroom is on the ground floor, while the restaurant is on the second floor, and is predicted to be visited by hundreds of visitors every day. The land area is 624 m2, while the building area is 776 m2, because this building consists of a ground floor and 1st floor, but strangely there doesn't seem to be any access to go up to the top floor. When the building was purchased, it was in a deplorable condition, completely unkempt. In the process of applying for a permit to make changes to the building, it was stated that because the former Fen shop building was a cultural heritage, there were rules that the building owner had to understand and obey. These provisions are complied with by the owner, by consulting the TP2WB Yogyakarta City and DP2WB DIY Province.
The problem faced by the owner is that the building is no longer safe for public use, so a new building is needed. The recommendations given by the two institutions above are to be rebuilt like the original building after going through several studies, including building tests. The results of the building test issued by the Building Materials Laboratory of the UGM Vocational School Civil Engineering Study Program are for the building to be torn down, because its strength is no longer sufficient to be used as a public facility that will be visited by the public. With these test results, DP2WB gives permission to demolish the building and replace it with a new, stronger building, following the required recommendations. These recommendations relate to the shape of the building, the design of the roof, the facade, the shape of the doors and windows, and the ornaments used. the point is to restore the shape of the old building, so that it looks like the original, nicer, and stronger.