Toko Merah, Colonial building in Old Town, Indonesia.

Toko Merah is a three-story red brick building distinguished by tall windows, split shutters, and characteristic gable roofs typical of early Dutch colonial architecture in Indonesia. The facade displays classical European design elements merged with local construction practices.

The structure was built in 1730 by Gustaaf Willem and served multiple purposes during Dutch colonial rule in the region. It housed a Navy Academy from 1743 to 1755, then later functioned as a hotel and commercial center, reflecting the changing needs of the city across generations.

The name Toko Merah, "Red Shop", comes from Oey Liauw Kong, a Kapitein der Chinezen of Batavia who bought the house in 1851 for use as his residence and shop and had it painted red. The red paint was applied directly to the unplastered brick of the front wall, and the interior woodwork and furniture were finished in the same colour, giving the Dutch house a Chinese touch. A rival explanation links the name to the 1740 Geger Pacinan, when bodies in the Kali Besar turned the water red.

The building sits on West Kali Besar Street 11 in Jakarta and is easily accessible by public transportation. Motorcycle parking spaces are available nearby, making it convenient for visitors arriving by local transport.

William Bligh, later captain of HMS Bounty, stayed in this house. The building also held a naval academy from 1743 to 1755, and its hotel era included stables for sixteen horses and six boats on Kali Besar. The red paint dates from Oey Liauw Kong's 1851 purchase.