Gedung Cerutu (Cigar Building)

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Gedung Cerutu is a historic building on Jalan Rajawali in Surabaya’s Old Town. Its name means “Cigar Building” and refers to the tall tower whose shape resembles a cigar. Surabaya’s municipal heritage register lists the property at Jalan Rajawali 5; it now houses a Bank Mandiri branch. The city register also records its earlier use as a warehouse and office for Said Bin Oemar Bagil. Seen from the street, the building is marked by a white façade, narrow vertical windows, projecting cornices and a reddish tower. A wider view shows the length of the block, while a closer look from the pavement reveals the window pattern and façade details. The building remains an operating bank, so visitors should plan on viewing it from outside rather than expecting free access to the interior. Gedung Cerutu fits naturally into a walk through the historic district alongside other colonial-era buildings near Jembatan Merah. The surrounding streets carry regular traffic, so use a safe pavement viewpoint for photographs and stay out of the roadway. The branch may change its opening arrangements or carry out maintenance, but the distinctive tower remains the landmark that explains the building’s unusual name.