Number of unusual office buildings in Bangkok grows

  • Published: 14 Sep 2016 at 10:10 1 comments
  • WRITER: JLL

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Bangkok’s skyline has seen a dramatic change over the past few decades. Aside from increased density and heights of new property developments, a growing number of buildings with "unusual" architectural designs, including the astonishing pixelated 77-storey MahaNakhon, has contributed greatly to the change.

While most of the existing unusual structures are retail malls and residential condominium buildings, the city has also seen a growing number of office buildings designed with a wow factor, according to international property consultancy and services firm JLL.

"Cities around the world are competing for recognition. Among the many areas they are competing hard are property developments that raise eyebrows," says Suphin Mechuchep, managing director of JLL.

"For office buildings, while a highly creative design may not directly entitle the landlord to a higher rental rate, which depends on many other factors, it should help add value to the building by making it recognised as one of the city's prominent landmarks, and a pride of its occupiers," says Mrs Suphin.

The story began 30 years ago

Bangkok's first office building with an extraordinary architectural design was completed in 1986 -- the Robot Building on Sathorn Road. It features elements such as progressively receding walls, antennae and eyes that give a robotic look to the property. The building is currently used by UOB as its Bangkok corporate headquarters.

Eleven years later, construction of the Elephant Building, Bangkok's second oldest unusual building with lettable office space, was completed. As it is named, the mixed-use building resembles an elephant.

The journey continues

After the completion of Elephant Building, Bangkok has seen many modern office buildings with an interesting architectural design, particular over the past five years. A couple of good examples are Park Ventures and SET@93 Ratchada.

Park Ventures is located on Wireless Road, this 34-storey commercial building comprises prime Grade A office space and houses The Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel. The building design was influenced by the Thai greeting gesture wai with the palms pressed together in a prayer-like fashion.

 

SET@93 Ratchada is wholly owned and occupied by the Stock Exchange of Thailand. The building design was inspired by the organisation's logo -- two fish on an antique Chinese plate signifying yin and yang.

Photo: www.set.or.th

However, not many buildings feature a truly "unusual" architecture. Some of the prime examples include:

SCG 100th Year Building
This strange building is home for Siam Cement Group in the Bang Sue area. Its wavy balconies create a fascinating visual effect from the outside.

Photo: www.scg.co.th

U Place
A 12-storey office building, U Place is unique for its boat-like appearance. The building is home to Unilever's headquarters and a part of the Grand Rama 9, an ambitious mega property development project by Grand Canal Land Plc

Photo: www.grandcanalland.com

G Tower
G Tower is the latest addition to The Grand Rama 9 project by Grand Canal Land Plc. Named after the developer's abbreviated name -- G Land, the building is unique for its G shape, which will make it one of Thailand's most unusual office buildings upon completion by the end of 2016.

Photo: www.grandcanalland.com

Pearl Bangkok
This 25-storey office development project on Phahon Yothin Road is being developed by Pruksa Real Estate Plc, which will use most of the space as its new headquarters. With an oval shape, Pearl Bangkok represents one of the most eye-catching high-rise structures in Bangkok and is expected to be one of the most instantly recognisable towers in the city's northern corridor upon completion in early 2017.

There are a number of other commercial projects with unusual designs under development. Of these projects, two have been publicly announced: the Singha Complex by Singha Estate Plc and the would-be tallest building in Southeast Asia, the Super Tower by Grand Canal Land Plc. While the former is planned for completion in early 2018, construction of the latter has not yet commenced.

"As the Grade A quality is becoming a norm for new office developments, developers are looking for new differentiators. For this reason, it shouldn't be a surprise to see more office buildings with unconventional architectural design against Bangkok's skyline in coming years," Mrs Suphin says.

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