Tuesday, July 26, 2011

MAHANAKHORN THE NEW RITZ CARLTON RESIDENCES IN BANGKOK

kee@fswmag.com
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BANGKOK'S MAHA NAKHON'S CONDOS--- FROM RM 3.2 MILLION FOR 120 SQ METRE SIMPLEX TO RM 18 MILLION FOR THE 700 SQ METRE SKY DUPLEX PENTHOUSE
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The soon to be built Mahanakhon is just about the last word in super high class condominium equivalent to KL's The Binjai which flaunts a RM 50 million, 4 storey penthouse which I wrote 2 months back. The most expensive condo in MahaNakhon is less than half of what The Binjai wants for its Super Penthouse offering a direct, full frontal view of Petronas Twin Towers.
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Your eyrie in the sky
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Commanding views are yours from any of these Sky Boxes


Mahanakhon's architecture is so staggeringly stunning and revolutionary it was the talk of Bangkok for months when it was launched last year. Feng shui believers may faint as the building looks as if parts have just been bombed or a jet plane had just crashed into it! Yes, September 11 does come to mind!

Then again, I.M Pei's glass pyramid in the Louvre Courtyard received mcuh condemnation when it was built but now it is a world famous icon. If you compare The Binjai's architecture with Maha Nakhon's spectacular structure, you may opt for the latter as The Binjai's exterior is so normal, ordinary and bland you can barely differentiate it from the slew of identikit buildings sprouting at the periphery of KLCC! I had tea with a friend at Cascades Poolside at Mandarin Oriental facing the Park and could barely see Binjai for more of the same buildings lining the skyline.

Still, Maha Nakhon may not appeal to traditional Thais as the top, middle and lower portions all look as if they are crumbling and in the process of collapsing and breaking apart! I love the architecture as I am avant garde to the core but I may consider checking with Lillian Too, the world famous feng shui master, whether it is good luck for me to move and live in the crumbly section which has protruding balconies and rooms jutting out with no physical support beneath since these so-called Sky Boxes are securely attached to the main building.

Of course when you examine the architectural plans up close, the shattered looking parts are just a medley of inyer-connected and disjointed, multiple-level terraces, balconies and apartment blocks stacked atop each other. Only from a distance does it look unfinished or under construction.

I also hope the terraces do not overlook each other and that certain condos are not facing each other. Imagine the horror of walking in your livingroom fully dressed or naked in full or partial view of your neighbours. It is one thing lazing on your balcony in full view of your neighbour whose balcony overlooks yours in a low-cost, public apartment block. If you paid RM 150,000, you cannot complain if your bedroom looks straight into your neighbour's bedroom, toilet or carpark. It is a different kettle of fish if you paid RM 3 million only to end up with a lower balcony with an adjoining upper balcony looking down on yours. Privacy is paramount and I want my personal space with no possibility of anyone watching me even though I am fully dressed and reading the Bible.

I have a friend who paid RM 4 million for an exclusive condo only to have her living room and 2 bedrooms facing her neighbour's living room and 2 bedrooms barely 20 feet away! She tells me she and her neighbour are so sick of having to smile and nod politely several times a day they have made a pact to ignore each other although they remain on good terms! "The tedium of having to smile and acknowledge each other several times a day was killing us!"
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The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok

The Height of Luxury in Bangkok’s Tallest New Architectural Landmark

The 194 extraordinary, branded condominiums in the dramatic MahaNakhon architectural landmark, soaring 313 metres (1,027 ft) over 77 floors in the heart of Bangkok’s Central Business District is guaranteed to be the last word in luxury in the heart of City of Angels.

Its unsurpassed decadence and dramatic architecture with expensive and expansive terraces, plunge pools and breathtaking ‘Sky Boxes’ with sweeping panoramic views make Maha Nakhon the most talked-about address in Bangkok and already there are buyers from many Southeast Asian nations. One of my rich friends have bought a Sky Box so at least I am guaranteed a stay there once completed.

The Ritz-Carlton residences and Ritz-Carlton Skyboxes with 5-star amenities will be one of Bangkok’s most luxurious and prestigious developments when completed in 2014. With highly-customised design over single-storey and duplex layouts, they range from 1,200 to 8,500 sq ft.

Named after the Thai word for ‘metropolis’, MahaNakhon is a mixed-use development also featuring 10,000 square metres (110,000 sq ft) of luxury retail space (MahaNakhon Terraces) along with signature restaurants, cafes and a 24-hour market.

The project incorporates a free-standing seven-storey building called ‘The Cube and outdoor plaza ‘MahaNakhon Square’ – along with the 150-room Bangkok Edition boutique hotel, operated by Marriott International.


Thailand’s first architectural landmark in Bangkok’s CBD is directly linked to the Chong Nonsi station of the BTS Skytrain and planned Bangkok BRT on Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Road.


Strategically located between the Chao Phraya River and Lumpini Park, it is surrounded by several luxury hotels and residences, Grade A offices, world class shopping and international hospitals.


MahaNakhon is being developed as a joint-venture between the Thai company Pace Development Co., Ltd. and Israel-based Industrial Buildings Corporation PLC. Construction is now underway, with completion scheduled for 2014.


With prices starting at THB 250,000 per sqm, the Ritz-Carlton Residences will be among the most expensive leases in Bangkok.

The tower's startling design is by internationally-renowned German architect Ole Scheeren, partner of the design firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture.


He is renowned for one of Asia’s most ambitious and distinctive skyscrapers, Beijing’s enormous, cubist CCTV (China Central Television) Building, which dominates the city’s skyline.


His latest monolith is shaped like a prism, but with rough spirals and cuboidal surfaces cut into the side. With its distinctive “pixellated” appearance, MahaNakhon offers residents a rare bird’s eye view of the city and Chao Phraya River.


The architect himself compares it to a Tower of Babel, the inspiration for Fritz Lang’s 1926 filmatic vision of an expressionistic and futuristic city.

PACE Development Co., Ltd. is a renowned property developer in Thailand focusing exclusively on residential properties in prime locations with innovative designs.

PACE Development CEO Mr. Sorapoj Techakraisri said: ”The major attraction of MahaNakhon is the first ever opportunity for a residential development to enjoy the world-renowned Ritz-Carlton experience, defined not only by sophisticated style and sumptuous furnishings, but also impeccable services – from housekeeping and dedicated concierge to valet services and gourmet dining.

“This legendary experience is enhanced by masterly interior design and imaginative layouts of highly-customised single level and duplex homes that range from 1,200 square feet to 8,500 square feet, with ceilings up to 3.4 metres in simplexes and over 7 metres in duplexes.”

With a strong economic outlook, active real estate market and comparatively reasonable currency rate in Asia, Thailand is a sought-after market for investors.

“For purchasers looking for a self-living residence, MahaNakhon is an ideal option given its prime location in the city-heart as well as top-class management provided by The Ritz-Carlton brand. For investors, this is certainly a valuable investment opportunity given the reliable brand of PACE and the reasonable price of the project,” said Ms Rebecca Shum, Executive Director, Investment & Project Marketing of CB Richard Ellis, the sales agent of MahaNakhon.

For an appointment to preview The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok contact:

Ms Rebecca Shum +852 9099 9884 / email rebecca.shum@cbre.com.hk or Yvonne Kwok on +852 2820 2804 / email vonne.kwok@cbre.com.hk


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