The 10 skyscrapers set to reshape Bangkok's skyline
Bangkok is rising. There are currently more skyscrapers over 300 meteres being built than ever before. Here's what we can expect to see in the next five years.
At 615 meters tall, the unofficially-named “Super Tower,” beside Central Plaza Grand Rama 9, will not just be Bangkok’s tallest building (beating all other projects by nearly 100 meters) but also the tallest skyscraper in the ASEAN region and the seventh tallest in the world. Containing over 300,000 sq meters of usable space, the tower is to house a variety of facilities for residential, business and tourism purposes. Specifics are scarce at the moment, other than to say there will be a luxury hotel, restaurants and a retail arcade. The developers, G Land, are introducing a host of new projects to the Rama IX area including a condominium and mixed-use development focusing on office and retail space.
Where: Rama 9
Who: G Land
How tall: 615 meters (125 floors)
What’s inside: Offices, “six-star” hotel, conference halls, restaurants, observation deck
Completion date: 2019
Intended to be “a symbol of national pride”, the ICONSIAM, the latest project from the owners of Siam Paragon, is not only going to be one of Thailand’s largest shopping complexes, but also a museum for various Thai cultural artifacts. The flashy project also includes a 400-meter-long light show as part of an attraction dubbed The Seven Wonders of ICONSIAM. Once the project is completed in 2017, it will join Siam Paragon, Emporium and Central Embassy in the list of high-end, luxury retail centres. Thailand’s museums generally don’t see much action either, so putting one inside a sprawling shopping mall might not be a bad idea.
Where: Klong San
Who: Siam Piwat
How tall: 315 meters (70 floors)
What’s inside: Two shopping complexes, convention hall, condominium
Completion date: 2017
A lot of details are already known about what should be the first of Bangkok’s new-wave high-rises to open. It contains quite comfortably the city’s most luxurious residences: the Ritz-Carlton-branded apartments designed in collaboration with David Collins Studio. A recent press release issued by its developers claimed they have sold Bangkok’s most expensive ever penthouse at a staggering B480 million. Units left start at B43 million and go right up to B358 million. There’s also a pretty special hotel planned, in partnership with Marriott International and legendary hotelier Ian Schrager (the man who introduced the world to “boutique” accommodation). A round-the-clock retail space also means that residents should never need to leave the property grounds to get groceries.
Where: Chong Nonsi
Who: Pace Development Corporation, Industrial Buildings Corporation (IBC)
How tall: 314 meters (77 floors)
What’s inside: Ritz-Carlton Residence, retail center, hotel, outdoor plaza
Completion date: 2015
Located on Charoenkrung Road, the Landmark Waterfront project is divided into three main areas: Capella Residences, a Capella six-star hotel and a Jumeirah five-star hotel. The main building will house the private residences, with the other two hotel establishments sharing the project area. Both Capella and Jumeirah are big players when it comes to luxury hotels and resorts. The first, and least well known, mainly has properties in the Americas but also operates a beautiful Foster + Partners-designed hotel in Singapore, set within a 19th-century British-colonial compound. Jumeirah, meanwhile, is the Dubai hospitality arm behind The Palm islands, who first planned to enter the Thai market with a private island off the coast of Phuket that never materialized.
Where: Sathorn
Who: Country Group Development
How tall: 305 meters (74 floors)
What’s inside: 2 hotel, residences
Completion date: 2017
They might not be as tall as Bangkok’s latest high-flying buildings, but the city’s condo skyscraper scene is booming. Here are the most interesting.
Located near BTS Ratchadamri, residents of Magnolia Ratchadamri can wake up to the refreshing view of the RBSC, located just across the road. The hotel by Waldorf Astoria is also quite interesting, and would probably become a popular choice for tourists and business executives alike.
Where: Pathum Wan
Who: Magnolia Finest Corporation Limited
How tall: 242 meters (60 floors)
What’s inside: Condominium, Waldorf Astoria hotel
Completion date: To be completed in 2016
As the self-proclaimed ‘one-and-only’ mixed-use development on Rama 3, Canapaya Residences has a lot going for it. With a view overlooking the Chao Phraya River, the development also boasts a retail plaza and hotel with various venues from spas and restaurants to retail establishments. The marina will also apparently be used for docking private yachts and luxury cruises.
Where: Bang Kho Laem
Who: Canapaya Property
What’s inside: Condominium, Retail plaza, Hotel, Marina
How tall: ~250 meters (57 floors)
Completion date: 2018
Located on the ‘most beautiful bend in the Chao Phraya River’, Menam Residences will not only house serviced condo units with full view of the river, but also a luxury 5-star hotel and a multi-use space filled with restaurants, bars and meeting facilities. The development is also located quite close to Asiatique, which should prove to be an additional attraction for both permanent residents and visiting tourists alike.
Where: Bang Kho Laem
Who: Menam Residences Co Ltd.
What’s inside: Condominium, 5-Star hotel, multi-purpose buidling
How tall: ~225 meters (59 floors)
Completion date: 2017
If you’re looking for a place to settle down in the Sukhumvit area, you should be very excited for Marque Sukhumvit. The development’s location near BTS Phrom Pong means that popular retail center The Emporium is only a brief walk away. The facilities offered are also quite varied, with a roof garden, a full-sized squash court, a cigar and wine bar and a world-class golf simulator, to name a few.
Where: Wattana
Who: Major Development Co Ltd.
What’s inside: Condominium
How tall: 222 meters (50 floors)
Completion date: 2017
Conveniently accessed via BTS Surasak, The Bangkok Sathorn is also ideally placed right by a Highway entrance, allowing residents to easily avoid the infamous traffic of Sathorn. The most appealing aspect of this condo is probably its location on Sathorn, as the road connects to various other hotspots around Bangkok such as Rama 4 and Silom. Sathorn is also a generally peaceful neighborhood, as the whole area is pretty much made out of condominiums.
Where: Sathon
Who: Land and House
What’s inside: Condominium
How tall: 189 meters (55 floors)
Completion date: 2016
Pretty much your run-of-the-mill high-rise condo, with the facilities you’d expect such as swimming pools, fitness rooms and sauna rooms. The location of the condo should interest many people, however, as it is right next door to popular shopping malls such as Central Chidlom and Central Embassy. Phloen Chit is also home to a huge selection of great restaurants and bars, which should more than make up for the condo’s lack of interesting features.
Where: Phloen Chit
Who: Noble Development
What’s inside: Condominium
How tall: ~185m (52 floors)
Completion date: 2016
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