Location, location, location

phuket-property

phuket-property

SURIN Park, a luxury sea-view condominium in the heart of Surin village, provides the ultimate in life-style options at prices which enable an optimum return on investment.

The exclusive neighbourhood is a guarantee of superior capital growth, and the rental program ensures excellent rental yield.

Property comes in all shapes and sizes with prices to suit the most moderate to the most extravagant of budgets, but at the very high end of the property market, a good location is not always synonymous with luxury property.

But a luxury property is nearly always synonymous with a good location.  But when it comes to developing a luxury property, you have to look more into the  specifics of the location.  Think of Phuket as an uncut gem, polished in places but still a little rough around the edges.  Not every area could be considered a ‘luxury location’ for property.

Almost every developer, and certainly the majority of sales agents, will tell you that their property is in a fantastic location, irrespective of where it actually is.  It is not always wise to take those claims on face value.  Before you buy, you should take an in-depth look at the area in question to determine if the property has the dynamics necessary to support a luxury lifestyle.

As a developer of high-end resort-style condominiums, the Surin Park Corporation is willing to pay a premium for the right land in the best location. “Identifying and securing the right location is our single most important consideration before commencing development,” said Surin director, Tero Borvornpotsakul. “Condos have moved away from simply being mid-range market products with a select number of developments at the high-end creating a new luxury niche in the market for those seeking an alternative to the villa lifestyle,” he said.

“With luxury villas dominating the top-end of the market, it is essential that any truly high-end condo project is in a truly high-end location. “For us, as a developer, having decided to focus our product at the luxury sector of the market, I then set out to determine what my customers want, and find a location to meet  that criteria.  “The first thing I do when buying land is look at the surrounding area, to determine whether or not it is an already an established luxury area, whether it is close to the beach, whether it has sea views, and whether the infrastructure is already in place, such as five-star hotels, fine dining, shopping and transport access.

“It is essential that all those things are in place,” he said.  Mr Borvornpotsakul said there was no point investing in building a quality product if the location was wrong.  “Absolutely nothing can correct a wrong location,” he said.
“You can’t subsidise a bad location by building a bigger swimming pool, or improving your clubhouse facilities.
“A true luxury high-end condo requires sea views, proximity to the beach and services.

“It would be difficult for me to convince my customers that they are buying into a high-end condo unless the surrounding area reflects the high-end status.”  Mr Borvornpotsakul said condominium’s commanded premium prices and, therefore, customers expected a premium in terms of quality, services and location.

“This is why areas such as Surin and Bangtao on the west coast, tick all the boxes in terms of luxury location,” he said.
“They have all the essential ingredients such as proximity to the beach, sea views and an established luxury infrastructure.”  He said Surin Park Corporation’s next project was Arcon, which represented the ultimate in creative contemporary design. Mr Borvornpotsakul said it was already being slated as the new benchmark standard for condominium development in the exclusive Surin village.

“This is a significant accolade from real estate agents, based in an investment-savvy community, which has already enjoyed unparalleled returns on investment, both in terms of capital growth and rental yield,” he said. “Arco’s architects have achieved the optimum benefit from the elevated position of the Arco site,” he said. The project will include 20 two-bedroom units, each with outstanding ocean views. There will also be five penthouses on the top 3 floors, with private pools and roof decks. Each penthouse will have a total of 400sqm of living space.

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Popularity: 5% [?]

Gulu gets another gong

Gulu gets another gong

Gulu gets another gong

PHUKET developer Gulu Lalvani picked up his second accolade in as many months when he was voted ‘Best Boating and Yachting Personality of the Year’ in the International Boating Awards at Boat India earlier this month.

The Hong Kong tycoon and founder of Thailand’s most exclusive luxury lifestyle yachting community, was honoured at a glittering award ceremony at Le Meridian Hotel in Cochin, India.

The awards ceremony coincided with the international boat show and conference and the Cochin stopover of the Volvo Ocean Race. Participants had an opportunity to meet the race crews and admire their yachts.

Mr Lalvani, who developed the up-market Royal Phuket Marina overlooking Phang Nga Bay, was last month named ‘Real Estate Personality of the Year’ at the annual Thailand Property Awards for making ‘a significant contribution to Thailand’s property industry’.

The Hong Kong and London based tycoon got his gong for transforming Phuket into a world class yachting destination, making it a magnet for celebrities and the rich and famous. Mr Lalvani recently retired from his company Binatone, which manufacturers digital cordless phones.

But instead of enjoying his retirement, he set about creating his vision, Thailand’s first world-class luxury lifestyle community. Royal Phuket Marina’s first phase of condos, apartments and penthouses was a sell-out success, and the venue is now a vibrant entertainment and lifestyle hub with open air restaurants and bars overlooking the moored mega yachts.

The marina also feature a 2500sqm International Exhibition Centre which is now Phuket’s largest single indoor event space.  The centre will pave the way for a new era of large-scale conferences and expos.  It is also an ideal venue for weddings and functions.

The development is continuing and there are plans in place for more villas and apartments, and a five-star boutique hotel. Mr Lalvani said he was keen to repeat the success of Royal Phuket Marina in India, in either Cochin or Mumbai.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Life’s a beach in Rawai

Life’s a beach in Rawai

Life’s a beach in Rawai

IT is not easy these days to find good quality villas right on the beach, but this week’s Pick of the Crop at Rawai is only a short jump from the sea and the sand. This contemporary beach-front villa features three levels with spectacular sea and island views.

It is part of a private resort development managed by Outrigger, which is renowned throughout the world for providing secure, customer-friendly, well-managed estates.  The unique loft design features a six-metre ceiling, which creates a vast open space for light and air to flow through.

Huge glass panels adorn the front of the villa, so one the spectacular views are on show at all times.  The white high gloss kitchen is fitted with a range of high quality built in appliances, and the clever use of natural floor colors, lighting and tasteful furnishings, creates a calm and peaceful atmosphere.  The spacious, outside sundeck sits beside a large infinity swimming pool, big enough for morning swims or a lazy afternoon dip.

There are two bedrooms upstairs, with the master bedroom positioned to take full advantage of the views, both into and outside of the villa.  Each bedroom comes with built in wardrobes and spacious en-suite bathrooms.  The expansive roof terrace is perfect for entertaining friends or for somewhere to escape and relax.

If you wander beyond the comfort of your home, you can use all of the fantastic facilities and toys the resort has to offer including a communal swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa, an international restaurant, a bar, a speed boat, catamarans and kayaks.

There is also a cleaning and laundry service and free local.  Owners who join the rental pool can expect good returns on their investment and the safe knowledge that their home is being professionally managed while they are away.  The total living area for this property is 378sqm and the ownership is freehold.  At 39.5 million baht, it represents amazing value for such a well positioned beachfront villa.

Popularity: 1% [?]