Live, Work, Play On The Bangkok’s Riverside

The global lifestyle trend of living, working and playing on the riverside has arrived in in Bangkok. Two multi-use developments The Chao Phraya Estate and ICONSIAM, complimented by the building of riverfront promenades is creating the city’s most sort after neighbourhood, the community to live, work and play.

Story by Laurence Civil – www.luxurysocietyasia.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AqqIbv2kKg

Multi-use developments are a relatively new concept to Bangkok, but the two key hospitality players involved with this trend have both been involved in many similar projects overseas before. As a business model the diverse income flows help to stabilise the risk for developers creating a more viable product.

The Chao Phraya Estate a THB 32 billion developments a joint venture project between City Group Development and Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts is located on Charoen Krung Road sprawling over 14 acres with a 350-metre waterfront one of the longest in the CBD. . It brings together three iconic properties; the world’s largest and first waterfront Four Season’s private residence in Asia with Four Seasons Private Residence Bangkok at Chao Phraya River, and two world class hotels, the ultra luxury urban resort, Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and; Bangkok’s first all suite ultra luxury Capella Hotel.

Four Seasons Private Residences will feature 355 all corner units ranging from 115 sqm for a 2 bedroom residence to 1,050 square metres for their penthouse Sky Mansions. The interiors were designed by the internationally acclaimed BAMO from San Francisco who have created many interiors for Four Seasons worldwide to create an interior design to maximise hotel inspired living.

Engaging the Four Seasons brand is a key selling point to buyers as it offers them the luxury of having Four Seasons legendary service in their own home. Each residence comes with an iPad with a specially designed app that has the integrated technology to manage the owner’s lifestyle. For example, as they are leaving their office they can pre-set the air-conditioning to their comfort level and to have preferred piece of music playing to be playing as they walk through their front door. The ability to manage their living space to be integrated into their lifestyle. This will become one of Bangkok’s most exclusive addresses – an iconic property that maximises the best of waterfront living as a legacy to future generations.

Key features are the River Lounge, which takes residence from the waterfront promenade into the main lounge area. Decorated in warm wood tones to create an intimate environment with private dining facilities, living room and gallery. The Amenities Deck on Level 3 has a river facing infinity pool where residents can unwind. There is a dedicated children’s pool where the family can relax in perfect safety and comfort. Additional facilities include a state of the art fitness centre, yoga and Pilates studio, a BBQ area and entertaining space. The rooftop Four Season Club, a triplex of 1,300 sqm spread over levels 64-66 that combines exclusive club facilities with contemporary urban entertaining. Facilities include a glass walled wine room, golf simulator and billiards table to engage in friendly competition, a private room for cigar aficionados, a private screening room and sitting majestically on 66th level Bangkok’s tallest infinity pool. Article by www.luxurysocietyasia.com

There was a very careful selection process before deciding to have the Cappella as the second hotel in the project. It was essential that there should be no conflict with Four Seasons in Terms of brand positioning. Four Seasons is an urban resort where the focus is more on the landscaping, while the Capella being an all suites hotels offers a more traditional design.

Capella Bangkok

Founded by legendary hotelier Horst Schulze, Capella Hotel Bangkok epitomizes refined service steeped in luxury, where your personal privacy is accorded the utmost respect. Each all-suites luxury hotel bearing the Capella name hosts a mere 100 suites for an unparalleled service experience. Article by www.luxurysocietyasia.com

Over on the Thonburi side The ICONSIAM a 20 acre mixed use development that will include Residences by Mandarin Oriental, Magnolia Waterfront Residences a 525,000 square metres shopping complex and riverside events plaza. A THB 50 billion riverside national landmark that is being developed by a joint-venture partnership between Magnolia Quality Development Corporation Limited, Siam Piwat Co., Ltd., and Charoen Pokphand Group.

The Residences, the super luxury freehold condominium are the first ‘Mandarin Oriental’ branded residences in Southeast Asia, and are situated diagonally across the Chao Phraya River from the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Bangkok. Set in a 52 floor building with 146 apartments ranging in size from 132 to 690 square fee. It will be one of city’s most luxurious residential offering that will be complemented by Mandarin Oriental’s exceptional services.

Magnolia Waterfront Residence set in a 70 floor building will offer 379 residences ranging in size from 60 to 230 sqm. The complex will also offer seven attractions that will be the first of their kind in Thailand, including a spectacular waterfront promenade.

Residents will have access to a variety of leisure facilities, including an exclusive sky lounge with an extensive library, meeting rooms and secluded dining space. A private Residents Clubhouse with outstanding river views will offer an outdoor infinity-edge lap pool as well as a children’s pool. There will also be a state-of-the art Fitness Centre together with golf simulation, games and media rooms, plus additional dining facilities and car parking.

What brings the two luxury developments each on either bank of the river together as a new neighbourhood community is the construction of public promenades. It was the development of Asiatique that started the interest in using the riverfront as public entertainment space. While the river has always been seen as the heart of the city it was historically been used as a means of transport what Bangkok was missing was public promenades. That is now being corrected by Urban Design and Development (UDDC) in collaboration with Chulalongkorn University, Tokyo University, Beijing University and Wat Yannawa temple and Thai Healthy Promotion to create the riverside promenade that aims to boost sustainable living for residents while improving their health and well being. This is a unique civil pilot project that attempts to restore Bangkok’s riverside area to public use. A five metre wide and 1.2km long car free zone will run from Taksin Bridge to Klang Klong, featuring a walkway, cycling track and recreational spaces. These developments are creating a modern globally attractive riverside community and will be one of the most popular neighbourhoods to live work and play.