You’ve probably seen it. If you’ve ever driven into Surabaya from the south—grinding through that infamous Sidoarjo-Surabaya traffic—you can’t miss the massive, curved silhouette of the City of Tomorrow mall. People around here just call it Cito. It sits right at the gateway of the city, acting like a giant, glass-and-steel sentinel for everyone coming in from Juanda International Airport.
It’s huge. Honestly, the scale of the place is what usually hits you first, especially when you realize it’s not just a shopping center but a massive mixed-use complex. We’re talking about a space that tries to do everything at once. Shopping? Check. Apartments? Yes. A university? Surprisingly, also yes.
The Reality of City of Tomorrow Mall Today
Cito isn't your typical shiny, brand-new luxury mall like Tunjungan Plaza 6 or Pakuwon Mall. It’s got a different vibe. Developed by PT Lippo Karawaci Tbk, the City of Tomorrow mall opened its doors back in the mid-2000s with a very specific vision: to be a "city within a city." For a while, it was the place to be in South Surabaya. But as the city expanded and newer, flashier developments popped up in the West, Cito had to find its own niche. It didn't just fade away; it evolved into a community hub that serves a very specific, very busy demographic.
Walking through the main atrium today, you’ll notice the shift. While some high-end international retailers migrated toward the city center, Cito leaned into being a lifestyle and education anchor.
One of the most unique things about this place is the presence of Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) Surabaya right inside the building. Imagine going to your morning lecture and then grabbing lunch at a food court three floors down. It’s a strange, functional ecosystem. Students are everywhere. You’ll see them hunched over laptops at Starbucks or grabbing cheap eats at the lower-ground stalls. This constant influx of young people keeps the energy levels high, even on a random Tuesday afternoon when other malls might feel like ghost towns.
What’s Actually Inside?
Let’s talk about what you’ll actually find there because the layout can be a bit of a maze if you’re not careful. The retail mix is dominated by anchor tenants that most Indonesians know by heart. Matahari Department Store takes up a huge chunk of real estate, providing that reliable, middle-class fashion fix. Then there’s Hypermart. It’s one of the bigger ones in the region, and honestly, if you live in the Menanggal or Gayungan area, it’s basically your pantry.
If you're looking for electronics, the upper floors are where things get interesting.
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It’s not quite a dedicated IT mall like Hi-Tech Mall or Plaza Marina, but it’s got a solid selection of smartphone shops and service centers. If you’ve cracked your screen or need a weirdly specific charging cable, there’s a good chance one of the smaller kiosks has it.
Food and Entertainment
Food is probably the biggest draw for non-shoppers. The food court is massive. It’s got that classic mix of Indonesian staples—Ayam Goreng, Bakso, Nasi Goreng—alongside the usual suspects like KFC and A&W. But the real gems are often the smaller, independent stalls tucked away in the corners. You can find some seriously good East Javanese cuisine here if you're willing to wander.
Cinema XXI is the entertainment backbone. It’s reliable. It’s clean. The ticket prices are usually a bit more forgiving than the "Premiere" versions in the fancy malls uptown. For families living in the southern suburbs, it's the default spot for a Friday night movie.
The Location Factor: A Blessing and a Curse
Location is everything. The City of Tomorrow mall sits right at the Bundaran Waru intersection. This is the pulse point of East Java’s transit. On one hand, it’s incredibly accessible. If you’re coming from the toll road, you’re right there. If you’re coming from Sidoarjo, you literally have to drive past it.
On the other hand, the traffic at the "Frontage Road" can be a nightmare.
During rush hour, getting into the parking lot can feel like a feat of endurance. The city government has tried to fix this with the new flyovers and frontage lanes, which has helped, but you still need to time your visit. Pro tip: if you’re trying to catch a movie at 7:00 PM on a weekday, leave at least 45 minutes earlier than you think you need to.
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The "All-in-One" Experiment
Cito was one of the first major developments in Surabaya to really push the "Superblock" concept. Besides the mall and the university, you have the Aryaduta Hotel and the Cito Apartments. This was a bold move by Lippo. The idea was that you could live, work, study, and play without ever leaving the footprint of the building.
Does it work? Mostly.
The hotel remains a popular choice for business travelers who need to be close to the industrial hubs of Rungkut or Sidoarjo but still want the amenities of a mall. The apartments cater to a mix of students and professionals who value the convenience. It’s a high-density way of living that foreshadowed how a lot of Surabaya is being built now.
Common Misconceptions About Cito
Some people think Cito is "old" or "dying." That’s a bit of an exaggeration. It’s just not a luxury mall. If you go there expecting Louis Vuitton or Gucci, you’re going to be disappointed. It’s a functional, middle-market mall. It’s where people go to actually buy things they need, rather than just window shop at brands they can't afford.
Another misconception is that it's only for students. While UPH is a big part of the identity, the mall serves a massive residential catchment area. Look at the crowd on a Sunday afternoon—it’s families, seniors, and teenagers. It’s a cross-section of Surabaya life.
Navigating the Space: A Quick Guide
If you're visiting for the first time, keep these things in mind:
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- Parking: The motorcycle parking is massive but can be confusing. Remember your zone. Car parking is generally easier but fills up fast near the lobby entrances.
- ATM Centers: There are several clusters of ATMs, mostly near the main entrances and the supermarket. They’re usually well-maintained.
- Prayer Rooms: The Musholla here is actually decent. It’s not just a tiny closet under a stairwell, which is a common complaint in older malls.
- The View: If you can get to one of the higher floors near a window, you get a pretty cool view of the Surabaya-Sidoarjo border and the constant flow of traffic. It’s weirdly hypnotic at night.
The Future of City of Tomorrow Mall
What happens next for Cito? In a world of e-commerce, malls have to offer something physical that you can’t get on an app. For Cito, that "something" is the synergy between its parts. You can’t download a university education, and you can’t replicate the convenience of a hotel-mall-apartment combo via a smartphone.
We’re likely to see more "lifestyle" additions—more coffee shops, perhaps more co-working spaces to cater to the student population, and maybe a refresh of the facade. The bones of the building are solid. Its location is unbeatable.
Practical Insights for Visitors
If you're planning a trip to City of Tomorrow mall, here is how to make the most of it without the stress:
- Time your entry. Avoid the 4:30 PM to 6:30 PM window unless you enjoy sitting in a stationary car looking at the mall from the outside.
- Explore the basement. Some of the most interesting local food and specialty service shops (like watch repair or tailors) are tucked away on the lower levels.
- Use the Frontage Road. If you're coming from the city center, stay on the frontage road early. If you miss the turn-off, you'll end up on the toll road headed toward Sidoarjo before you can blink.
- Check for events. The main atrium often hosts fairs, from book sales to travel expos. These can be great for deals but do make the mall significantly more crowded.
- Combined Trips. If you have a flight from Juanda, Cito is a great "last stop." You can grab a meal, do some last-minute gift shopping at Matahari, and then reach the airport in about 15-20 minutes via the toll road (traffic permitting).
Cito isn't trying to be the fanciest mall in Indonesia. It’s trying to be the most useful one for the people living and working in South Surabaya. It’s a sprawling, chaotic, functional, and deeply local landmark. It reflects the city it inhabits: busy, unpretentious, and always moving. Whether you're a student at UPH, a traveler passing through, or a local resident grabbing groceries, the City of Tomorrow mall remains a vital piece of the Surabaya puzzle.
Next time you’re stuck at the Bundaran Waru light, look up at that massive glass curve. There's a whole lot of life happening inside those walls.