The interview: Suphajee Suthumpun, CEO of Dusit International, on the launch of their flagship Bangkok hotel and residences
By Hamish McDougall
A first look at the flagship branded residences by Dusit International, which will redefine the hotel group’s landmark site in the heart of Bangkok.
Among a near-crowd of luxury branded residences on offer in Bangkok – Mandarin Oriental, Four Seasons and The Ritz-Carlton all entered the market in recent years – only Dusit International brings a local flavour to its upscale new build. This reputation for “gracious hospitality” is what will set them apart as they launch this month, says group CEO Suphajee Suthumpun.
The landmark integrated development takes up the ultra-prime site of Dusit’s former flagship hotel opposite Lumphini Park, with plans for three towers comprising a replacement hotel, two residential brands, a third office tower and a high-end retail offering.
“The project was modelled on the iconic residences around Hyde and Central Parks,” says Suthumpun. And with the development’s value exceeding USD $1.3bn, it’s not an immodest comparison. Suthumpun took up the role of CEO after the project’s conception, and one of her key decisions since was to split the residences into two brands to facilitate a higher level of luxury in the prestige offering. The smaller-format Dusit Parkside takes in one- and two-bedroom formats, starting from 592 sqft. At the higher end, Dusit Residences presents 160 two- to four-bedroom apartments as well as seven penthouses, all of which command lush park views on the one side and sweeping skylines on the other.
“The project was modelled on the iconic residences around Hyde and Central Parks.”
And while the positioning is all about Thai hospitality, the interiors are world class. Spacious floorplans accommodate a double private lift lobby, walk-in shoe wardrobe with revolving Häfele racks, and wide living and dining areas with herringbone oak-veneer floors. The glamorous open kitchen features a breakfast bar, Miele double-oven and dishwasher, Liebherr fridge, Blanco faucetry and ultra-chic Arclinea cabinetry. All of the bedrooms boast elegant custom wardrobes by Poliform, the bathrooms are by Toto and Duravit, and the whole space is enclosed by triple-glazed windows.
The considered layouts offer one-bedroom apartments with a walk-in wardrobe and vanity space, two bedroom with a powder room and laundry, and three bedroom with an Asian kitchen and the option of a double-volume lounge.
“Our people are our brand, so we came up with projects to keep them on during construction.”
As you’d expect, the facilities are generous, with each residential brand enjoying a private amenities level comprising pools, jacuzzi, fitness centre and function rooms. “And on top of the retail space, which joins the three towers, we’ll have a terraced skypark filled with oxygen-rich trees and biophilic gardens,” says Suthumpun, who herself has bought a lower-floor apartment where the view of the gardens blends into Lumphini Park beyond.
On the ground floor, a series of coworking spaces and meeting rooms provide for the ‘work / play’ requirements of post-Covid residences. It’s also home to the concierge and on-demand services. Impressively, Dusit has retained the staff from the now demolished hotel to ensure the continuity of its famously ‘gracious’ hospitality. “Our people are our brand,” says Suthumpun, “so we came up with projects to keep them on during construction.” These included taking over a heritage estate in central Bangkok to re-home the hotel’s signature restaurant Benjarong, and launching ‘Dusit on demand’ housekeeping services.
Demonstrating the brand’s appeal, some 40% of units have sold pre-launch, which Suthumpun puts down to the unique combination of Thai hospitality and an ultra-prime estate. The average price is sitting at around USD $935 psf, and one of the pent houses has sold for $6m at $1,165 psf. While locals account for almost all of the sales to date, Suthumpun expects foreign buyers to make up around 35% of the final numbers – especially with quarantine-free travel now giving investors a chance to fly in and experience the Thai hospitality and world-class residences for themselves.
Because we intend to operate the hotel next door long term,” says Tsang. “At the end of the day, real estate is a living thing – there has to be crossover between the projects, and a community. But yes, if it works, we could start selling residences one day.”
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