Family Foundations in Timor from 1935 to Pre-1975

The Jape family story began in Maubara, Timor Leste, where the early generations built their lives around hard work, family values and small business. The foundations laid by Jap A Lem and continued by his son, Jape Kong Su, helped shape the practical, hands on and entrepreneurial approach that would later become central to the company’s identity.

Jape Kong Su later moved from Maubara to Dili, continuing to build the family’s trading interests and establishing a business presence in the capital.

A New Beginning in Darwin

After leaving Timor in 1975 and spending a brief period in Singapore, the family arrived in Darwin as the city was rebuilding following Cyclone Tracy. What may have been a temporary stop became a defining turning point. The family saw opportunity in Darwin, began rebuilding their future and laid the foundations for what would become Jape Group’s long term presence in Australia.

Establishment of Jape Group

The establishment of Jape Group provided a formal foundation for the family’s long term business interests in Australia. It created a structure to support future investment, preserve the family’s shared vision and enable continued growth, stability and succession across generations.

Opening Jape Shopping Centre

The Jape Group’s property journey began in 1976, laying the groundwork for what would become a significant part of the family’s business in Australia. Just two years later, the opening of Jape Shopping Centre on Cavenagh Street in 1978 marked a major milestone. It established a strong foundation for the Group’s growth in Darwin and reflected the family’s willingness to invest for the long term, embrace new opportunities and contribute to the local community.

Construction of Jape Plaza in 1981

The construction of Jape Plaza in 1981 marked another important step in the Group’s growing investment in Darwin. Following the opening of Jape Shopping Centre, the development reflected the family’s confidence in the city’s future and their commitment to creating practical retail and commercial spaces for the local community. Jape Plaza strengthened the Group’s presence in central Darwin and became an important part of its early property portfolio.

Jape Homemaker Village Opens

The opening of Jape Homemaker Village in 1989 marked another significant stage in the Group’s growth, expanding its retail and property presence in Darwin. The development established the Group in the large format retail sector, first of its kind in the Northern Territory.

Establishment of Dili Development Company

After Timor Leste Independence, Dili Development Company was established in 2009, creating a dedicated platform for the Group’s growth in Timor-Leste. It strengthened the business’s local presence across property development, management, retail and hospitality while creating a clear connection between its Timor-Leste operations and the broader Jape Group.

Timor Plaza Dili Central Precinct Opens

In two consecutive years, the Group opened Timor Plaza in 2012 and Timor Plaza Hotel in 2013, marking a significant period of growth in Timor-Leste. Timor Plaza became the country’s first major commercial centre and a landmark development while the hotel introduced a new hospitality offering that strengthened the precinct and reflected the Group’s long term confidence in Timor-Leste’s future.

Major Growth Across Two Markets

From 2013 to 2024, the Group significantly expanded its property portfolio across Timor Leste and Darwin. In Dili, major developments included Dili Central, a new cinema, retail spaces, office towers and residential development. Jape Homemaker Village further strengthened the Group’s retail portfolio and enhanced the experience for both customers and tenants.

Building the Next Chapter

The next chapter of Jape Group will be shaped by the continued growth of Dili Central and new projects including Areia Suites, a new tourism hub, office towers and hotel offering alongside emerging opportunities at Ludmilla Village Shopping Centre in Darwin. Together, these developments reflect the Group’s ongoing commitment to creating connected places, strengthening commercial precincts and building long term opportunities for future generations.