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Tulip Group presents ‘Golden’
vision for Central Pattaya
Property developers the Tulip Group Thailand have
recently announced an agreement with Golden Tulip Hotels and Resorts for
their new project in Central Pattaya.
 The
official name for the group’s latest mixed use development will be Golden
Tulip Hotel and Residence Pattaya, and will include a 200 room 4 star Golden
Tulip Hotel and 6 condominium buildings on a total land area of just under
16,500sqm.
The project will offer purchasers the valued benefit of being managed by the
world’s 8th largest hotel group Golden Tulip Hotels and Resorts.
Golden Tulip Hotels & Resorts are the second largest hotel group in Europe
and in total own and manage over 1000 properties across 40 countries.
Hotel guests will have their own private facilities including swimming pool
and fitness rooms, and therefore will not disturb the private property of
the condominium development, but condominium owners will be able to enjoy
the facilities of the hotel, such as the restaurants and bars, giving this
project a true feeling of an all inclusive resort in the heart of the
Pattaya city.
The development will include
a 200 room 4 star hotel and 6 condominium buildings on a total land area of
just under 16,500sqm.
“We are very much excited about the prospect of working
with Golden Tulip Hotels & Resorts, they are recognized as a true
international brand and I think the two brands will complement each other”
said Jason Payne Tulip Group Vice President said
Earlier last month it was reported that Tulip Group had purchased the city
center land for a figure of 500 million baht, a figure that would have been
unheard of a few years ago.
“We have made a significant investment in order to secure this plot of land,
but we feel the area is continually growing and we see no reason to dwell on
how much we paid for the land; our goal now is to construct a true resort in
the city. Our team has worked extremely hard to design this mixed use
development, and we are very happy to be working with Golden Tulip, who will
not only mange the hotel but also the entire complex. Pattaya is continually
growing and we are proud to be part of its growth,” said Kobi Elbaz, CEO
Tulip Group.
Golden Tulip Hotel & Residence
Pattaya - a ground breaking new project from the Tulip Group.
Golden Tulip Hotels Managing Director South East Asia
Mark Van Ogtrop was also very buoyant and excited about working with Tulip
Group and also bringing Golden Tulips first hotel to Pattaya
“The project is very exciting and Pattaya is growing all the time and we are
keen to move ahead with Tulip Group to jointly and successfully develop this
exciting hotel.”
Tulip will group will officially launch the project in October, however
early bird investors, and Tulip Group clients have already reserved and
booked 20% of the units.
NB: For more news from the Tulip Group,
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Kingdom Property to sponsor Thailand Property Awards
Kingdom Property Head of
Sales and Marketing Henri Young, right, and Ensign Media and Thailand
Property Awards CEO Terry Blackburn, left, shake hands on the new
sponsorship agreement.
Fast emerging Thailand real estate developer Kingdom
Property has taken another step to announcing its arrival on the property
scene by signing an agreement to co-sponsor the prestigious Thailand
Property Awards 2012.
Chief Executive Officer Nigel Cornick said that while Kingdom did not have
any projects to enter this year as developers, the company was proud to be
supporting such an important industry event. Now in its seventh year, the
glittering ceremony will take place on 13 October at the Dusit Thani Hotel
in Bangkok and will present 37 awards.
Mr. Cornick himself is no stranger to the Thailand Property Awards having
collected a record 10 awards at the event in the past including winning the
Best Developer Award for an unprecedented two consecutive years when he was
CEO at Raimon Land - a company he took from severe post Asian financial
crisis struggles a decade ago to the become the country’s most renown luxury
condominium developer.
“I’m delighted to once again support the Thailand Property Awards,” he said.
“It is an annual industry event with which I have had a long association and
while we are not eligible to enter this year, we are pleased to assist with
the recognition it gives to high-quality work across the industry from
developers, agents, architects and designers.
“It is a true gathering point for the industry each year and it offers an
excellent platform for us to announce our arrival to friends in the industry
with whom we look forward to working alongside in the years to come. We will
also look forward to entering our exciting new Southpoint project next
year.”
Ensign Media and Thailand Property Awards Chief Executive Officer Terry
Blackburn added: “We are very happy to welcome Kingdom Property as a
co-sponsor for the Thailand Property Awards 2012. The confidence of leading
industry figures like Nigel Cornick in the awards since its inception seven
years ago is a clear signal that we continue to succeed in our aim to
deliver fair, credible and stringently judged awards for the Thailand real
estate industry.
“I consider Kingdom’s sponsorship in a year that they are not able to
participate to be a great vote of confidence in the reach and significance
of the Thailand Property Awards and I look forward to their active
participation in future years and their continued contribution to the
country’s property sector that will ensure it remains one of the most
dynamic and successful in Asia.”
Kingdom Property recently secured funding from Krung Thai Bank, Thailand’s
largest financial institution, to build Southpoint Pattaya, a 650-unit
condominium valued at THB2 billion in the upscale Prathumnak area in
Pattaya. It is the developer’s first project on the Eastern Seaboard and
will be launched later this year.
“I have always been a great advocate of quality in all the developments I
have been involved in - and Southpoint is no different,” said the Kingdom
CEO Nigel Cornick. “I developed Northshore and Northpoint with Raimon Land
in Pattaya and while the market has changed Southpoint will still be marked
by high standards in engineering, design and architecture, utilizing only
high quality materials - and of course it will be delivered on time to all
original specifications.
“This is one reason we are so comfortable in not only supporting such an
excellent event, but the industry as a whole as it is important to continue
to set new standards and not stand still - and Thailand Property Awards
celebrates those principles that we believe in,” he added.
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LH Bank grants building
loan for The Prim
Chitsanucha Phakdeesaneha,
center right, GM of the Porchland Group, accepts the 55 million baht loan
agreement from LH Bank area manager Somchai Leangraksa, center left, at a
signing ceremony held Sept. 25. Also in the photo are Thorberm Prajuabsuk,
senior lending officer of LH Bank, Pattaya Klang Branch; Pamikhada
Philakeaw, sales executive Porchland Group; Paradee Ticomrum, secretary &
marketing Porchland Group; and Thanapisit Chuabanlue, manager of Vorakit
Construction.
LH Bank has agreed on a 55 million baht loan with the
Porchland Group to help construction work begin on The Prim Grand
Condominium in Naklua, north Pattaya.
A contract signing ceremony took place on Sept. 25 at the project’s sales
office on Sukhmuvit Road with Chitsanucha Phakdeesaneha, the general manager
of the Porchland Group, and Somchai Leangraksa, area manager for LH Bank,
inking the deal.
The Prim Grand Condominium is already officially open for reservations and
10% of the project has already been sold, with the total sales expected to
close within 3 months, says Mr. Phakdeesaneha.
The Prim Condominium will
offer 64 spacious units in an 8-storey building with full facilities.
Construction is set to begin at the end of 2012 on
300sq-wah of land and the development will consist of an 8-storey building
incorporating 64 units ranging in size from 45-50sqm. Prices start at 2.2
million baht. The development will be equipped with full facilities such as
a rooftop swimming pool, Jacuzzi, fitness room, restaurant, lobby, parking
and 24 hours security.
For further details call 082 403 1999, 082 403 2999, 082 403 3999 or go to
website www.theprimpattaya .com or drop by at the sales office on Sukhumvit
Road opposite Lotus, South Pattaya.
(By Phasakorn Channgam/Pattaya Mail)
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Green Field Villas 4 ... The grass IS greener on the other side
Steve Scholey, 2nd right,
representing Alan Bolton Property Consultants, receives a certificate of
appreciation from Paul Barrett, 2nd left, Managing Director of Green Field
Development Co. Ltd. following outstanding sales figures for the Green Field
Villas 4 project.
The property grapevine has heard loud noises that Alan
Bolton Property Consultants are impressively selling houses at the latest
project from Green Field Development Co. Ltd. Alan Bolton Property
Consultants Sales Manager Steve Scholey explained: “We have had huge success
in the past few months selling 35% of the project in Green Field Villas 4 in
East Pattaya. The association we enjoy with Green Fields previous
developments in the Pattaya area prompted us to get involved in Green Field
Villas 4 from the onset,” confirmed Steve.
He continued, “Paul Barrett (Green Field Managing Director) has been
residing in Thailand for many years and as a local developer he knows what
local buyers are looking for – beautiful houses built to European standards
in a charming and relaxed environment. They are also aware what local agents
are looking for to assist in selling the final product – competent sales
staff, easy payment terms and honest pricing,” said Steve.
Even in the current political and economic climate with fewer buyers around,
the guys at Green Field Villas 4 have indeed come up with a project to
appeal to both the quality minded and the budget conscious. They are
constructing a 28-plot village, with 3 different style of houses, both
bungalow and 2 storey, on 14.5 Rai of prime land situated only a few minutes
from Wat Suttawas, local amenities and easy access to the highways and
Bangkok .
Green Field Villas 4 is unique and affordable offering all underground
cables to give a modern feel to the village. The village currently has 3
house types available: Type C is a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached single
storey bungalow with a living area of 148sqm; Type B is a 3 bedroom 3
bathroom detached single storey bungalow with a living area of 178sqm; while
the best selling plot has to be the Type A, a 4 bedroom 5 bathroom detached
two storey with a living area of 256sqm.
With prices starting from 5,980,000 baht, all houses are designed in
tranquil earth pastel shades and they also come with luxury bathrooms and
kitchens, PVC windows and ceramic tiled floors as standard. There is even
enough space for off street parking for 2 cars, not forgetting the
re-assurance of 24hr security.
“This village is really unique in every way, from the quality of the
location, build quality, to the quality of a British developer,” states
Steve.
So Green Field Villas 4 is the one project chosen by Alan Bolton Property
Consultants for the professionalism of the Green Field developers as well as
for the fantastic showrooms and sales tools provided by the organization.
“I would like to recommend Green Field Villa 4 to any serious house buyers
and to the many local agents who are currently sourcing properties for their
prospective clients,” concludes Steve.
Green Field Villas 4 have now sold an astonishing 24 out of 28 plots since
launch earlier this year such is the location, quality and value. Paul
Barrett is already looking to secure the land for their 5th project located
near the Regents International School.
For more information, contact Alan Bolton Property Consultants on 038 416728
or visit their modern offices located on the ground floor car park of The
Avenues Shopping Mall off Pattaya 2nd Rd South Pattaya.
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Thailand Property Awards 2012 – who judges it?
With the Thailand Property Awards 2012 almost upon us,
there has already been a great deal of interest and a good number of
questions about this year’s event and who is responsible for judging such an
affair.
 Clayton
Wade.
First and foremost, the entire Thailand Property Awards event is a product
of the Ensign Media group, a company established in Thailand in 2001. Ensign
Media’s list of products and market leading magazines includes the Thailand
Property Awards and most recently, the East Asia Property Awards. A young,
innovative company, Ensign Media is headed by its very successful managing
director, Terry Blackburn.
Each year, since 2008, the Thailand Property Awards entire process of
nominations, short listed finalists and the final winners judging process
has been overseen to ensure all is transparent and fair by BDO Advisory
Limited represented by Paul Ashburn.
 Pongstorn
Sangruchi
With the prestige and credibility offered by BDO Advisory Limited’s
involvement with the Thailand Property Awards, it also enhances the
integrity of the judging process and contributes to making the Thailand
Property Awards a truly worthy and sought after prize.
As for the judging procedure itself, there are two different judging
procedures, one for the ‘Non-Development Awards’ and one for the
‘Development Awards’.
The ‘Non-Development Awards’ for this year are: Best Developer, Best
Boutique Developer, Best Residential Agent (Bangkok), Best Residential Agent
(Phuket), Best Residential Agent (Eastern Seaboard), Best Residential Agent
(Hua Hin), Best Residential Agent (Samui), Best Independent Agent, Best
Commercial Agent, Best Property Management Company, Best Property
Consultancy, Best Overseas Property Agent, Best Agency Deal, Best
Residential Architectural Design, Best Commercial Architectural Design, Best
Land Architectural Design, Best Hotel Architectural Design, Best Residential
Interior Architectural Design, Green Development Award, and Best Shared
Ownership Development … and finally, the Thailand Property Awards 2012 Real
Estate Personality of the Year!
 Somnuek
Tanthathoedtham.
These ‘Non-Development Awards’ are judged by the official national panel of
judges, who have been handpicked from the real estate and related industries
and all meetings of the panel of judges will be in the presence of a
representative at BDO Advisory Limited.
The Thailand Property Awards head panel judges will then review entries and
submit a short-list of up to five finalists per award category, to Paul
Ashburn of BDO Advisory Limited.
As a result of further discussion and presentations, the national judging
panel will then decide the winner from the short-listed finalists.
 Sunantapat
Chalermpanth.
All Thailand Property Awards judges are selected to ensure there is never
any conflict of interest and the national judging panel members are publicly
announced online at the Thailand Property Awards website at: www.thailand
propertyawards.com/panel.php.
As for the Development Awards for each region i.e. Best Condominium
Development, Best Boutique Condominium Development, Best Villa Development,
and Best Commercial Development, the next step in the process is to have the
appointed regional judging teams undertake site inspections at each of the
condominium and villa developments.
 Teresa
Biesty.
Joining head national panel judge Clayton Wade this year on the Thailand
Property Awards 2012 Eastern Seaboard judging team are Pongstorn Sangruchi,
Somnuek Tanthathoedtham, Sunantapat Chalermpanth and Teresa Biesty.
All of those winners of the categories mentioned above will be publicly
announced at the Gala Dinner and awards ceremony recognized as the “Oscars”
of Thailand’s property and real estate industry on Saturday the 13th of
October 2012 at the Napalai Hall, Dusit Thani Hotel Bangkok, which will,
once again showcase the very best that Thailand’s property and real estate
industry has to offer.
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Fashion models pay visit to
Centara Grand Residence Pattaya
Models pose in the showroom
suites of the Centara Grand Residence in Na Jomtien.
The already glamorous surroundings of Tulip Group’s
Centara Grand Residence showroom in Na Jomtien were given a little bit of
extra glamour on Sunday 23rd September, when models from Pattaya
International fashion week paid a visit.
The models spent some time on the beach shooting as well as having a photo
session in the world class luxurious show suites, and generally soaked up
the atmosphere of this stunning project.
Tulip Group were one of the lead sponsors of the fashion week which took
place from Friday 21st to Sunday 24th at both Central Festival Pattaya Beach
and Royal Garden Plaza.
Tulip Groups Vice President Jason Payne explained why Tulip wanted to be
involved in the event: “Pattaya International Fashion week is a great
showcase for the city of Pattaya,” explained Jason. “The Mayor and his team
are always looking at ways to give the city international exposure and we as
a company will do our best at all times to support the city.
“The organizers did a fantastic job with this year’s event. I personally
would say it was the best one yet.” He added.
Centara Grand Residence is a mixed use world class condominium complex and a
5-star Centara Grand Hotel, and the developers claim that this project is
the most exclusive ever to be launched on the Eastern Seaboard.
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Hotel group outlines future expansion plans for Asia
The Centara Poste Lafayette
Resort & Spa Mauritius is set to soft open in December 2012.
Centara Hotels & Resorts, Thailand’s leading hotel
company with properties at all the main destinations throughout the kingdom
and a growing portfolio elsewhere in Asia, is expanding fast.
The company’s future growth strategy and targets are based on the
overarching aim to be one of the best hotel and resort chains in Asia and to
be recognised as an outstanding international brand. Centara is a division
of Central Group, the largest of Thailand’s retail conglomerates with a
mixture of own-brand stores and franchise agreements.
The hotel division was launched almost exactly thirty years ago with a
property at Bangkok’s Ladprao district, and was known until 2007 as Central
Hotels & Resorts. In that year the decision was made to rebrand to Centara
Hotels & Resorts, and with the change of name, progress has been rapid.
Centara currently has 54 hotels and resorts in its portfolio, with a mixture
of owned and managed properties. Most of these are already open, although
some are still in the pre-opening phase.
In the next five years the target is to acquire more than 45 hotel and
resort properties with the intention of reaching 100 by 2017.
This Centara believes to be realistic, having four years ago set a target to
have 50 properties within five years, a target that was exceeded with a year
to spare.
The company’s strategy is based on being “asset light”, the main focus being
on acquiring more managed hotels. Centara is, however, also investing in
some properties by building on owned land or through joint ventures, or by
acquiring other good projects that fit into the company portfolio.
Aside from Thailand, Centara properties can now be found in the Maldives,
Vietnam, Bali, Mauritius, and Sri Lanka.
The growth strategy covers the main tourism destinations and gateway cities
in Asia, including member nations of the ASEAN Economic Community, which
comes into being in 2015. The growth map includes major cities in the Indian
Ocean region and possibly in Oceania.
Centara is also very interested in the possibility of expanding into the
Middle East and gateway cities in Europe.
In Asia, the company’s first venture into China has already been announced,
with a property to open in Shanghai in 2013, and the intention is for
further expansion into China.
India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives are countries in which Centara already has
properties or business relationships, and so there would be economies of
scale to have more properties in each of these destinations. The company is
also looking towards some of the newly opening countries, such as Myanmar.
The strategy of expansion and quality rests on several fronts.
Centara is a Thai company, with its roots in Thai society, and the culture
of Thai hospitality is a very strong selling point throughout the world, as
Thailand has an international reputation for the warmth and grace of its
hospitality.
In business terms, Centara aims to always deliver what is promised to
owners, to business partners, and to customers. The approach with
owner-companies is based on the belief that the working relationship
requires trust and understanding, on both sides.
The company has strong policies on serving the community, in which it is
very active through a range of projects, and in taking care of the
environment, where in addition to its own internal programmes Centara is
involved with international programmes such as EarthCheck.
Centara’s focus has been on expanding its five-star and four-star brands,
but the recent advent of the Centra value brand, and the launch later this
year of a new economy hotel brand aimed at the budget travel sector, is
greatly broadening the range of options. The launch last year of the Centara
Boutique Collection brand and the Centara Residence brand has also spread
the potential. (Source - Centara Media News)
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Property Profiles – from Russia with love
Real-estate marketing in Thailand from a female perspective
Irina Kirsanova is a twenty-five year old Russian woman
who is an international sales manager for Kingdom Property and specifically
their newest project in Pattaya: Southpoint.
 Irina
Kirsanova - international sales manager for Kingdom Property.
Irina has worked in the real-estate business in Thailand for over 3 years in
sales & marketing and prior to joining Kingdom Property she previously
worked with property management company CBRE Richard Ellis.
The decision to move to the development side of the real estate sector, and
to choose Kingdom Property as her employer, comes from the excitement she
has for the company’s new project Southpoint and also for the chance to work
alongside Kingdom CEO, Nigel Cornick, whom she respects as having a
distinguished and pioneering reputation in the real-estate industry.
Being involved in the sales side of things, Irina was asked if she felt
there was a difference in the way potential investors approached her as
opposed to her male colleagues. While she recognizes that a large majority
of investors are men, being that they are traditionally the main source of
income for a family, she sees her female instincts and perspective as
providing a district advantage when it comes talking with wives and mothers
and can relate to their needs when it comes to decisions about buying a
property.
She is also very much against trying to give buyers the ‘hard sell’.
“I prefer to concentrate on customer service and providing friendly and
professional advice to potential buyers and help them to make the correct
investment choices that suit their lifestyle,” she said.
Irina sees the Russian market in Thailand, and Pattaya in particular, as
prospering in the future, with an increasing number of her 250 million
compatriots set to take the relatively short flight here either for a
vacation or to invest in real-estate.
“For Russian investors Thailand offers a relatively inexpensive and safe
place to buy into real estate and the prospective returns from rental or
resale are higher than could be expected at home or elsewhere in Europe,”
she said.
Other attractions she feels play a part include the year-round warm weather
(giving a chance to escape the fierce Russian winters), the friendly people
here and the range of facilities including theme and water parks plus
Russian kindergartens and schools, making it a very attractive place to
live.
When it comes to Russian buyers, Irina says they generally always prefer to
deal with a native Russian speaker, someone who has the same mentality and
background and can relate to them clearly when explaining project features
and purchasing details.
Common language aside however, Irina says the main skill in her line of work
is building a level of trust with her customers. She related to us a story
about one Chinese client who couldn’t speak English. “I had to explain
everything to him with only hand gestures, but we managed to gain a level of
understanding and we were able to seal the deal that way,” she said.
In her spare time Irina studies business technologies and enjoys wake
boarding, yoga, cooking and has a passion for collecting semi-precious
stones, but she adds, “No hobby gives us as much energy and happiness as the
time we spend with our family, relatives and friends.”
The young sales executive’s personal philosophy is: “Whenever we choose the
right path, and we can always tell, life suddenly becomes uncomplicated and
quite simple, really.”
In the future she says she would like to help make the world a better place
in any way she can, perhaps in the form of her own social non-profit
project. Today though, Irina is happy to help make her fellow Russians
“dreams come true” by assisting them to make the correct investment
decisions here in Pattaya, and for now that means her focus is purely on the
job at hand.
As the high season approaches, Irina is looking forward to working with
Nigel Cornick and his team at Kingdom property.
(by Paul Strachan)
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Report reveals most developers giving up on prime sites
Leading property developer Raimon Land has released the
11th edition of its annual research publication Condominium Focus Thailand:
Update of Inner-City Bangkok and Pattaya. Available now as a free download
at www.raimonland.com, the new report highlights growing acceptance of
condominiums in the residential market, brisk pace of new project launches
along major public transit lines in Bangkok, and an ongoing shift away from
beachfront areas in Pattaya.
“The trend looks set to
continue in the foreseeable future” - Simon Dervillé.
Despite the flood-inflicted difficulties of late 2011,
Raimon Land’s research shows that homebuyers remain strongly confident in
the future of the Thai real estate market. Lingering concerns over
floodwater management and robust expansion of public transit systems
continue to drive interest in condominium projects in Bangkok along the mass
transit lines, while Pattaya’s attractive returns generate an extra push for
both property supply and demand.
“With mass transit lines extending further away from the
heart of Bangkok, a large number of new developments are popping up in new
hotspots along their paths,” said Simon Dervill้, Raimon Land’s Deputy Vice
President for Business Development. “Over the past 12 months, we have seen
the completion of 6,135 new condominium units in the new development areas
compared to just 3,730 in prime city center. This trend looks set to
continue in the foreseeable future, with 30,100 out of 44,168 units due to
complete in the new areas.”
Raimon Land’s Unixx project
in south Pattaya.
He continued: “Developers are now more focused on
mid-tier projects in the city vicinity or away from the beach over high-end
developments in prime areas because the lands are more affordable. This has
led to a massive number of units in midtown zones and we start to see unsold
inventories building up with additional inventory from speculative
purchasers.”
Meanwhile, Bangkok continues to offer great value on the
international stage, with average price per square meter rising by just
2.27% to 116,681 baht – putting the city roughly two to three times cheaper
than Beijing and Shanghai, and six to eight times cheaper than Singapore and
Hong Kong.
Attractive returns drive
Pattaya Market
Due to project delays and sometime halts in construction,
the Pattaya condominium market saw a sharp drop in unit completions from
7,400 in H2/2010 and H1/2011 to just 731 in the last 12 months. Another
28,000 units are expected to complete in the next three years, and for now
the take-up rate in existing supply is still great but this will have to be
monitored in the next couple of years, says the report. The lower segment
(under THB 3 million) is doing well as demand for second homes grows along
with the city’s ever-expanding range of attractions.
While beachfront locations still remain as exclusive and
desirable for property buyers as always, development activity has shifted
away towards non-beachfront zones. Of the 14,309 units launched in H2/2011
and H1/2012 across 31 projects, only 2,688 are located on beachfront sites,
which still command much higher prices than non-beachfront developments as
expected. The take-up rate among newly launched projects is just at 51.7%
for non beachfront properties, and 70.3% for beachfront properties.
“Because entry prices in Pattaya are still relatively
cheap, Pattaya offers higher rental yields than in Bangkok,” Mr. Dervill้
added. “The market here is shaped by the leisure industry, which leads to
shorter rental contracts in general and more fluid prices.”
Raimon Land’s Condominium Focus Thailand report is a
research publication aimed at providing homebuyers, investors and industry
observers with an accurate insight into supply, completions, off-plan sales
and transfers.
The report covers condominium projects launched since
2003 in Bangkok and Pattaya. Raimon Land collects this data by surveying the
projects listed in the publication, on a monthly basis through a variety of
sources comprised of site visits, interviews, press articles, investor
research on listed companies and other research agency reports.
The data catchment area of inner-city Bangkok includes
Sukhumvit, Silom/Sathorn, Central Lumpini, and Riverside locations, as well
as along mass transit lines. In Pattaya, the report covers the areas from
Naklua in the north of Pattaya down to Na Jomtien in the south.
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Schindler introduces smart elevator technology
for buildings of tomorrow
Schindler Group, a leading global provider of mobility
solutions, has recently launched its latest innovation in building
transportation, the Personal Occupant Requirement Terminal (PORT) technology
in Thailand. PORT technology, the company says, is an intelligent transit
management elevator system that revolutionizes the way people move through
buildings, while offering personalized service and enhanced building
security.
 Suwanna
Kongkanjana, Managing Director for Jardine Schindler (Thai).
“We recognize the demand of intelligent buildings is greatly rising in
Thailand. In recent years, developers and architects increasingly require
cutting edge technology which could boost transportation efficiency in a
building while offering better user experience,” says Suwanna Kongkanjana,
Managing Director for Jardine Schindler (Thai).
“PORT Technology represents a transformation in the way we create a seamless
environment for high performance buildings. When integrated at the building
design stage, PORT Technology opens up a new world of opportunities for
building owners, architects and property management to provide users with
unprecedented levels of customization,” Sauwanna added.
PORT essentially aims to group passengers going to the same or nearby floors
into the same elevator. With less intermediate stops, the traveling time for
a passenger to reach his or her destination is greatly reduced; thereby the
system is able to increase traffic efficiency by as much as 30% when
compared to conventional elevator system.
 The
sleek PORT control panel can detect when a user approaches and calculate the
most efficient method of transporting them to their desired destination.
Schindler also seeks to extol the ‘Green’ benefits of the PORT system.
“Along with enhanced building security, aesthetics and better user
experience for occupants, the buildings of tomorrow are also looking to meet
ambitious energy efficiency goals. We are proud to say that the PORT
technology can help owners and architects to meet all of these objectives in
one time,” says Suwanna.
A unique Energy Control Option (ECO) is designed to bring additional energy
savings. During off peak hours, the ECO mode places several elevators in a
group into standby or sleep mode. This helps to avoid the inefficiency
(unbalanced loads) of having all elevators making many trips to transport
only a few passengers.
The PORT will only be activated when the proximity sensor detects a user
approaching. At all other times, it goes into low energy consumption mode.
The self-dimming monitor minimizes power consumption and when the screen
illuminates, its ambient light sensor determines the brightness level
required, optimizing energy usage.
With PORT technology, passengers simply tap their pre-programmed access card
on the system’s station on a turnstile gate or stand-alone PORT terminal,
the interface will immediately display a list of destinations to which that
individual has access. After the user selects his desired floor, PORT,
within less than a second, calculates the fastest route and sends an
elevator to take the user to his destination.
The intuitive PORT system learns and adapts to the specific usage patterns
of each tenant based on their most frequently travelled destinations to
provide unparalleled occupant service says Schindler.
“Users can enjoy an extraordinary communication experience with PORT
technology, as it provides both visual and audio information on its sleek
colour display to enhance users’ convenience,” explains Suwanna. “PORT
Technology not only benefits the end-users, it also helps the building
management to broadcast important information on its screen when needed, for
instance, during an emergency.”
The latest generation PORT technology can be installed in any new or
existing building structure, be it a high-rise skyscraper, an intelligent
office tower, a luxury condominium, a hotel, a university building or a
hospital.
Buildings that have already incorporated the system include Park Ventures in
Bangkok, the International Commerce Centre in Hong Kong, Intergra Tower in
Malaysia, Heron Tower in London, Deutsche Bank in Frankfurt and Hyatt
Regency in New Orleans. Other commercial buildings in Thailand that are
going to install PORT technology include SCG, Equinox and Lumpini Tower.
The PORT technology system can
be installed in any new or existing building.
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Expanding Tune Hotel brand opens in Bangkok
Tune Hotels has opened its
first hotel in Bangkok in the busy and vibrant Asoke area, a key business
and lifestyle district in the centre of the city.
Asia’s leading low-cost, limited service hotel brand has
finally come to Bangkok, with the latest Tune Hotel opening in the busy
downtown Asoke area.
Owned and operated under a franchise agreement by Red Planet Hotels, the
Tune Hotel Asoke, Bangkok in Sukhumvit Soi 14 opened last month with 130
rooms right in the heart of Bangkok’s bustling shopping district, just a few
minutes’ walk to the city’s newest mega-mall, Terminal 21.
The hotel is also a short walk to the Asoke BTS Skytrain station and
Sukhumvit MRT underground train network, which provides easy access to all
key shopping, financial and entertainment areas and attractions in Bangkok.
Tune Hotels promise to offer a unique service to savvy travellers with
five-star beds and superb power showers in very convenient locations for
unbeatable prices. Optional extras include air-conditioning, television,
WiFi and breakfast.
The Tune Hotel Asoke, Bangkok will be the first of many more in Thailand’s
capital and is the third in the country after Hat Yai and Pattaya. The
popular resort island of Phuket will also welcome its first Tune hotel in
December when a 150-room property opens in the entertainment precinct along
Patong Beach.
Red Planet Hotel’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Hansing, said it was a
milestone accomplishment for the company to bring the global chain to
Bangkok and increase the Tune portfolio once again in Thailand.
“Red Planet Hotels just opened the very first Tune Hotel in Indonesia’s
capital Jakarta in July and to have the first in another capital city in
Bangkok just weeks later is quite an achievement for the Red Planet team,”
Mr Hansing said.
“This hotel is the first of more in Bangkok as our customers have been
asking us to bring the concept to Bangkok since our first hotels in Hat Yai
and Pattaya opened.
“We are on the verge of signing up to four or five more sites in Bangkok as
we expand the brand through a capital city receiving more and more leisure
and corporate travellers each year.”
Through a “significant” recent investment to acquire a 16.05% stake in the
Tune brand, Red Planet is now the third largest shareholder in Tune Hotels
with ownership interests in 17 hotels located across Thailand, the
Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and the United Kingdom as of today. Red
Planet also has a funded pipeline for 20 hotels currently under
construction.
Mr Hansing added 2012 was a “milestone” year in Red Planet’s development.
“It has been quite busy!” he said. “By December, Red Planet Hotels will have
achieved gaining ownership interests in 20 operating hotels in just 12
months.
“With our owned and operated assets alongside the existing Tune portfolio we
have invested in, our expansion into this sector during 2012 sets us up to
grow further next year and maintain our strategy of sustained development
and investment in one of the world’s growing brands.”
Tune Hotels is part of a lifestyle business conglomerate founded by Tony
Fernandes which also includes the incredibly successful Air Asia group of
companies.
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BoT: No bubble in real estate
The Bank of Thailand (BoT) has confirmed no signs of an
economic bubble have been found in the Thai real estate sector and only the
prices of condominiums edged up after the flood crisis last year.
BoT executive Methee Supapong said that the central bank had not found
unusual signs of acceleration in real estate and both demand and supply had
been in line with the market conditions. He insisted that there had been no
price hike, except in condominiums in some areas, especially along the
electric train lines. Prices of single houses and townhouses have not
significantly increased, he said.
Regarding a possible interest rate increase by 0.35% for real estate loans
at the end of this year, Supapong said commercial banks should consider
increasing the interest rate on a group-by-group basis to create a balance
in liquidity. The BoT executive expressed his confidence that this matter
would not affect the direction of interest rates of commercial banks in the
overall picture. He asserted that the commercial bank interest rates would
continue to be in accord with the policy interest rate. (NNT)
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CBRE to provide property management services
for Shanghai Tower
An artist’s impression shows
the completed Shanghai Tower in the busy Lujiazui financial district of the
city.
CBRE Group Inc. been selected to provide property
management consultancy services for the iconic Shanghai Tower—a 632-meter
super-tall skyscraper currently under construction in the Lujiazui district
of Shanghai, China. When completed in 2015, the 574,000-sq.m. mixed-use
tower will be one of the most renowned commercial properties in China and
around the world.
“Shanghai Tower will be one of the most prestigious properties we have ever
managed, and a symbol of China’s distinguished position in the global
economy,” said Brett White, Chief Executive Officer of CBRE. “We look
forward to working with Chairman Kong Qing Wei and his team to establish the
highest-caliber services for this world-class asset. Together, we will make
Shanghai Tower one of the most desirable corporate and retail destinations
in the world.”
CBRE will initially serve as consultant to Shanghai Tower Construction &
Development in developing property management and building operations
strategies for the project.
Upon completion of construction, CBRE will assume property management
consultancy responsibilities in relation to the tower.
“Shanghai Tower is not only designed to international standards, but it also
strives to adopt a best-in-class approach to operational management. CBRE’s
property management services, supported by international best practices and
wide ranging industry expertise, will enable Shanghai Tower to achieve the
highest level of property management. We hope that both parties will
collaborate closely to jointly pursue ‘the highest, noblest and most
exquisite’ development objectives associated with Shanghai Tower,” said Kong
Qing Wei, Chairman of Shanghai Tower.
Designed by Gensler, Shanghai Tower will feature high-quality office space,
a luxury hotel, a world-class retail complex, an observation deck, and other
entertainment and cultural venues. The tower will also be one of the most
advanced super-tall skyscrapers in the world in terms of sustainability,
designed to achieve both LEED Gold certification and the China Green
Building Three Star rating. The tower will anchor Shanghai’s Lujiazui
district, which is rapidly emerging as one of the leading financial centers
in East Asia.
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Bangkok’s Bhiraj Tower taps
demand for ‘grade A’ office space
An artist’s impression of the
Bhiraj Tower in Bangkok.
With the continued improvement in demand for office space
in Bangkok, Bhiraj Buri Group has announced its new property development in
the heart of the Thai capital. The new project will be a ‘grade A’ mixed-use
development consisting of office and retail spaces for rent and will be
named Bhiraj Tower.
Situated on the main Sukhumvit Road opposite the Emporium department store,
Bhiraj Tower is a 45-storey building with a total lettable area of
approximately 50,000 square metres. The building has been designed to meet
international ‘grade A’ standards, including a column-free layout offering
an efficient 1,500-1,700sq.m. floor plate, 2.85-metre ceilings, a modern
lobby with double-volume ceiling allowing more natural light, and a
state-of-the-art security and access-control system.
In addition, Bhiraj Tower will feature a direct covered walkway from Phrom
Phong BTS station connecting with its second floor, making access convenient
for both tenants and visitors.
Nithipat Tongpun, Executive Director & Head of Office Services at CBRE
Thailand, commented that Bhiraj Tower is the only new grade A office
development that will be completed in the central business district (CBD)
between now and the end 2014. As of Q2 2012, the supply of grade A CBD
office space in Bangkok totalled 1.22 million sq.m., while the take-up in
the area soared by 10.3% y-o-y.
On the rental side, grade A rents in Bangkok rose for the fourth consecutive
quarter, posting a gain of 2.9% q-o-q and 7.9% y-o-y and now are more than
the previous peak in 1992. The lack of new supply has meant that office
rentals are now rising to a level where it makes perfect sense for some
developers to enter the market and build new grade A office projects.
According to Dr. Prasarn Bhiraj Buri, President and CEO of the Bhiraj Buri
Group – the developer of Bhiraj Tower, “We hope that this new landmark will
add tremendous value to our community and the Bangkok skyline. With regard
to the office market, we see a trend for greater demand for high-quality
office spaces and facilities that genuinely support employees’ working
environments and lifestyles.”
Construction work has already started on the project and is expected to be
completed by Q1 of 2014. (Source – CBRE Thailand)
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