Back to The Property Chapter

BACK TO THE PROPERTY CHAPTER

In 2019, Wawas Bangun stepped back into the property industry, joining TATA PRO as Marketing and Business Development Manager. At a time when the industry was grappling with unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, Wawas saw an opportunity to redefine the role of retail spaces in the lives of communities. His innovative approach would soon transform Jakarta’s Thamrin City Mall from a traditional retail hub into a vibrant destination of culture, community, and engagement.

Where others saw setbacks, Wawas envisioned potential. Leading his team with resilience and creativity, he reimagined the mall’s spaces, infusing them with cultural significance and a renewed sense of purpose. One of his standout projects was the Heritage Festival, which became a cultural beacon. By showcasing traditional batik and multi-ethnic products, the festival celebrated Indonesia’s rich heritage and created a space where identity and tradition thrived.

The transformation didn’t stop there. The Ladies Market evolved into a high-end fashion zone, offering an elegant, luxurious shopping experience that attracted discerning customers. Each project was driven by Wawas’s understanding of what makes a space more than functional—it’s the experience, the connection, and the story it tells.

In 2022, Wawas’s visionary leadership was recognized, and he was promoted to General Manager. In this expanded role, he took his efforts to the next level, curating experiences that blurred the lines between retail and lifestyle. His creations, like The Hanging Out and Xhibition - The Central Showcase, were more than just mall sections—they were immersive environments designed to captivate visitors and foster a sense of belonging.

The Hanging Out became a buzzing culinary hotspot, combining street food and gourmet delights in a lively, modern setting perfect for socializing and relaxation. Meanwhile, Xhibition emerged as a central attraction, blending travel essentials, lifestyle products, and high-end fashion in a carefully curated space that elevated the customer experience.

For Wawas, these projects weren’t just about increasing foot traffic—they were about creating stories. Each space was crafted to engage, inspire, and connect with visitors on a deeper level. By turning Thamrin City Mall into a cultural and lifestyle destination, Wawas fostered a sense of community that brought people back time and time again.

This chapter of his journey showcases not only his ability to lead through adversity but also his talent for blending strategy with creativity. Wawas’s work at TATA PRO exemplifies his belief that spaces are not just physical locations—they are opportunities to tell stories, build connections, and inspire people.

From Marketing and Business Development Manager to General Manager

MARKETING AND BUS. DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

When Wawas Bangun joined TATA PRO in 2019, the property management industry was facing unprecedented challenges, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns reshaped customer behaviors and business operations. Despite the uncertainty, Wawas was driven to elevate TATA PRO’s presence in this evolving landscape. His role as Marketing and Business Development Manager focused on identifying untapped growth opportunities and reinforcing the company’s market position. Recognizing early on the potential for TATA PRO to stand out, he led targeted research to uncover emerging trends and gain a deeper understanding of client needs.

During the lockdown period, Wawas and his team turned challenges into opportunities, developing strategies to reimagine how spaces were filled—not just with tenants but with immersive, thoughtfully designed areas that transformed Thamrin City Mall into a true destination. For example, the Heritage Festival became a cultural cornerstone, inviting shoppers into a world of traditional Indonesian batik and multi-ethnic products that celebrated the nation’s rich heritage.

The Ladies Market was transformed into a high-end fashion zone for style-conscious women, featuring elegant, luxury apparel and accessories that made it a must-visit destination in Jakarta. Pasar Tasik became the largest hub for Muslim fashion in the area, providing quality clothing at competitive prices and attracting both traders and shoppers.

Throughout this journey, Wawas focused on building lasting relationships with each tenant, listening to their needs, and aligning TATA PRO’s services with their goals to foster loyalty and trust. The strategy for developing these areas not only brought in and managed over ten major tenants but also increased foot traffic and engaged more visitors, solidifying Thamrin City Mall as a vibrant shopping destination.

TATA PRO (Property Management Services · Full-time · Jakarta, Sep 2019 - Aug 2022

GENERAL MANAGER

In 2022, Wawas Bangun transitioned into the role of General Manager at TATA PRO, a position that allowed him to deepen his impact on the company’s strategic growth and operational excellence. Leading a larger scope, he focused on enhancing the customer experience and developing spaces within Thamrin City Mall to align with the vision of creating vibrant destinations.

His responsibilities expanded to overseeing daily operations, refining market strategies, and fostering meaningful partnerships with high-profile tenants, all while ensuring that TATA PRO continued to set the standard for quality property management.

Under Wawas’s leadership, several strategic areas were developed and transformed, including The Hanging Out and Xhibition - The Central Showcase. The Hanging Out became a buzzing culinary hotspot, offering visitors a range of street food and gourmet delights in a lively, modern atmosphere perfect for relaxation and socializing.

Meanwhile, Xhibition emerged as a key retail attraction, featuring a variety of lifestyle products—from travel essentials to high-end fashion—set in a prime mezzanine location. These spaces didn’t just attract foot traffic; they enhanced the overall customer experience, making Thamrin City a more dynamic and engaging destination.

In this role, Wawas continues to work closely with the marketing and sales teams, aligning strategies to maximize tenant satisfaction and profitability. His focus remains on driving tenant engagement and retention by offering tailored solutions and operational support while ensuring each tenant’s unique offerings are highlighted to attract their target audiences. This approach has resulted in increased tenant loyalty, improved customer satisfaction, and steady growth in TATA PRO’s brand reputation.

TATA PRO (Property Management Services · Full-time · Jakarta, Sep 2022 - Present