The Missing Elevator Numbers

I asked Gemini about the missing floor numbers in the elevator where I'm staying. See Figure 1.

Figure 1

Based on the elevator panel from Duxton Towers, the missing floor numbers are 1, 4, 11, 13, 14, 24, and 34.

In Greater Jakarta and the broader Indonesian real estate market, it is standard practice to skip certain floor numbers. The absence of these specific numbers is due to a combination of cultural superstitions, international naming conventions, and building infrastructure requirements.

Here is the breakdown of why these specific numbers are missing:

Cultural Superstitions

Property developers often combine both Eastern and Western superstitions to ensure their buildings are marketable to the widest possible demographic and to avoid alienating superstitious buyers or tenants.

• Tetraphobia (The Number 4): There is a strong Chinese cultural influence in Indonesian real estate. In Mandarin and several other Chinese dialects, the pronunciation of the number 4 is nearly identical to the word for "death." Because of this, it is considered highly unlucky. To avoid bad fortune, developers routinely skip any floor number containing a 4. This directly accounts for the absence of floors 4, 14, 24, and 34.
• Triskaidekaphobia (The Number 13): The aversion to the number 13 stems from Western superstition, where it is traditionally viewed as unlucky. This belief has been widely adopted in global commercial real estate, including in Indonesia. This accounts for the missing floor 13.
• Note on Floor 14: Floor 14 is often viewed as doubly unlucky because it follows 13 and contains a 4, ensuring it is almost always removed from modern high-rise floor plans.

Naming Conventions

• The Number 1: Indonesia generally follows the European/British floor numbering system rather than the American one. The street-level floor is designated as the Ground floor, which is why there is a "G" button at the bottom of the panel instead of a 1.

Building Operations and Infrastructure

• The Number 11: Unlike the other missing numbers, 11 does not have a widespread cultural or superstitious stigma. Its absence from this specific passenger elevator panel is almost certainly structural or operational. In modern high-rises, certain floors are restricted from public access for a few common reasons:
  • Mechanical/Utility Floor: Floor 11 likely houses heavy building equipment, such as HVAC units, elevator machinery, electrical switchgear, or water tanks.
  • Refuge Floor: Many modern towers are required to have a dedicated, empty fire-safety evacuation floor for emergencies.
  • Zoned Access: Floor 11 might be a dedicated amenities level (like a gym, pool, or management office) that is served by a completely different set of service elevators or a separate lobby, meaning this specific public lift simply bypasses it.