Since the Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok was launched for sale three years ago, Singaporeans have made more than three million visits to Bangkok. They have also snapped up units at the project even though it has not been marketed in Singapore. “Singaporeans know and love Bangkok,” says Ben Taechaubol, CEO of Country Group Development. “And they can navigate and find us when they come.”
The first waterfront Four Seasons Private Residences in Asia is part of the THB32 billion ($1.34 billion) Chao Phraya Estate by Thailand- based international developer Country Group Development. The entire project has a 350m frontage along the Chao Phraya River and also comprises Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok as well as Capella Hotel Bangkok.
Chao Phraya Estate sits on a prime 14.2 acre site along the major river in Thailand that it was named after
(Images from Country Group Development)
“This is the most unique site and most exciting hospitality project in Bangkok,” says Ben. He reckons it has been three decades since there was a new luxury hotel on the riverbank. Chao Phraya Estate sits on a 14.2 acre site, one of the largest waterfront land plots in Bangkok’s CBD, and will have not one but two luxury hotels, notes Ben.
Chao Phraya Estate was envisaged as one of Bangkok’s icons and “every aspect of Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok has been designed to bring our vision to life”, says Ben. The design by Hamiltons International features a unique geometric floorplate that makes all 355 residences in the 73-storey tower corner units offering unblocked views of both the river and the city. It offers a wide range of units, from one-bedders starting from 104 sq m (1,119 sq ft) to five bedroom duplexes with 499 sq m of space.
Artist’s impression of the living room balcony overlooking the river
There are six duplex and triplex penthouses starting from 1,009 sq m. Each comes with private lift access, a gym, theatre, private pool and at least five bedrooms. Three have been snapped up. The largest penthouse, a 2,207 sq m triplex priced at THB882.7 million, is still available. The other two still on the market are 1,009 sqm and 1,056 sq m duplexes priced at THB403.5 million and THB422.5 million respectively.
Prices at Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok range from THB300,000 to THB500,000 per sq m, with the average at THB350,000 per sq m ($1,365 psf).
The living areas and balcony of a show unit
Seventy per cent of the units have been sold and most of the buyers are owner-occupiers, says Ben. Half are Thais; the rest, foreign nationals. One in five are expatriates who already live in Bangkok. Singaporeans, most of whom learnt about the project through word of mouth, make up about 5% of the international buyers.
Waterfront living and resort
Residents will be able to enjoy facilities designed and built to the highest specifications, spread out across more than 4,000 sq m of space. At the ground level, the River Lounge will offer private dining areas besides serving as the entrance foyer. A three-storey podium will house a plethora of amenities, such as private cabanas, a fitness centre with a gym, yoga and pilates studio, a function room equipped with a kitchen and barbecue area, and spaces for socialising and entertaining. Above the podium, residents will be able to unwind at an infinity pool and deck amid a riverfront atmosphere.
Artist’s impression of the residents’ lobby
Occupying 1,300 sq m across the top three floors, the Four Seasons Club is designed to be the ultimate club, combining exclusive facilities with contemporary entertainment offerings. It will have a cigar room, a wine appreciation room equipped with cellaring facilities, a golf simulator and a billiards table as well as a private theatre. There will also be a gym-in-the-sky, where residents can take in the panorama while working out. On the rooftop, breathtaking sights will form the backdrop to another infinity pool. The view will be akin to that from the Sky Bar at Lebua State Tower, which is of similar height and located about 1km from Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok, says Natcha Boonkrong, assistant sales manager of Country Group Development. However, only those who live at Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok and their family and friends would know, as access to the club will be restricted, rendering the view a privilege reserved for them.
Artist’s impression of the Four Seasons Club, which occupies the top three levels of the 73-storey tower
The residential component of Chao Phraya Estate is flanked by Capella Hotel and Four Seasons Hotel. The ultra-luxury hospitality components have been kept at a low density to preserve the views from the residential tower, says Natcha. Offering just 101 suites and private villas, all of which will have unblocked river views, the Capella Hotel is set to be one of the most luxurious and exclusive hotels in the world. To the south of the residences is the Four Seasons Hotel, which will have 312 guest rooms, and meeting and conference facilities, such as a 1,400 sq m riverfront Grand Ballroom.
Singaporeans make up 5% of the international buyers at Four Seasons Private Residences, says Ben
“Lifestyle is at the heart of what we do,” says Ben. Hence, the two hotels and the residential components were conceptualised as complements to one another to create the ultimate urban waterfront living and resort experience where everything is within reach. There will be more than 10 world-class restaurants in Chao Phraya Estate, offering cuisine ranging from Chinese to Italian and Thai. Among the F&B offerings will be those by world-renowned restaurateurs, such as two-Michelin starred chef Mauro Colagreco, who will helm the restaurant at Capella Hotel Bangkok.
Chao Phraya Estate will also boast excellent connectivity. By riverboat, it is less than five minutes from Saphan Taksin BTS station, which is just five stops away from the malls at Siam station. It is also within a five-minute drive of the entrance to Chan Road expressway.
New developments along the river
When it is completed in 1H2019, Chao Phraya Estate will be the newest in a series of recent developments along riverbanks. The government has announced plans to develop the stretch of riverbank between Chao Phraya Estate and King Taksin Bridge into a public riverside promenade called Yannawa Riverfront. It will feature a cycling track and open space, and turn the walk to Saphan Taksin station into a pleasant stroll.
To the south is Asiatique The Riverfront, a large, open-air mall that opened in 2012. It operates as a night market and has 1,500 shops and 40 restaurants. On the opposite bank and to the north is ICONSIAM, a mixed-use project developed by a consortium led by Siam Piwat, which is behind popular malls Siam Paragon, Siam Discovery and Siam Center. Slated for completion by year-end, ICONSIAM will feature two malls with a total floor area of 525,000 sq m and Thailand’s first Takashimaya department store, residences, as well as a 10,000 sq m riverside park.
According to Ben, Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok will be launched for sale in Singapore this year. Potential buyers will have to act fast as he expects the remaining units to be snapped up by the time the project is completed in 4Q2018.