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The man behind HANSAR Rajdamri |
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Story : Caley Romero |
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Khun Somboon Chayavitchitsilp established the property firm, Somhansar Co., Ltd., in 1997. Among the firm’s growing portfolio of acquired and developed properties in Bangkok are the Park View Mansion (Lumpini); Krisda Mansion and Golden Palace Hotel (both in Sukhumvit Soi 1); Tiptanee Condo (Bangna); and the Nitchada Thani (sub-housing project for the International School Bangkok, Nonthaburi). He simply states, “HANSAR means ‘to enjoy or to be happy’...I believe the reason you work really hard is you want to live well. By living well, you live the way you like it and enjoy the rewards of life.” He grew up in Bangkok before immigrating permanently to the US. In 1977, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Engineering at the University of Washington and became an employee for a few years. By 1981, he had quit and founded his first enterprise, the Loytee Co., Ltd., a jewellery manufacturing and exporting firm based in Bangkok. After 22 years in the business, the company thrives and enjoys a solid reputation from loyal customers abroad. He recalls, “I married at 24 and looking back now, I realized how young we were… my wife is my backbone, she helps me think of things I don’t need to think about…she doesn’t pull me back unless I do too much, then, she reminds me to rest and go slow...” As parents of four grown children, Khun Chieko says, “we always tell them, you have to do things with passion. ‘He’ does it with passion. In reply, Khun Somboon fondly declares, “the success of our children…I give 100% credit to my wife…we taught them the values of honesty, decency and commitment…of being a good person, being able to set an example and be a benefit to other people.” Now older, they returned in 2002, to live in Bangkok and focus on their expanding property empire. This way, they continue to enjoy the best of both worlds. Although he is a relatively new market player in the industry, his interest and innovative ideas on property development stem from his exposure in Thailand while growing up; his hobby of building their family homes every 3-5 years overseas; and from their experience of quality life and observing the property trends abroad for more than 30 years. “We are fortunate to have a very successful life in the US…we reside at Bellevue City in Washington State, where Bill Gates lives as well…we are surrounded by people who value a quality lifestyle and living like we do”. A self-confessed workaholic, Khun Somboon unwinds by playing golf and going to the spa 2-3 times a week. As a businessman, he describes himself as forward thinking yet very objective, meticulous and careful with his investments. “All the services I provide, we drive for customer satisfaction…I put a lot of attention to details and people who work with me can expect that…I look at the value customers can get. We do not compromise profit and people’s happiness.”
His latest endeavour, HANSAR Rajdamri, sets new standards in quality living as the integrated concept of premium boutique hotel and condominium make the venture unique in many ways. This kind of development project is also categorized as “super luxury” and caters to a very high-end niche condo market. He reiterates, “we wish to give this option to those who seek this kind of lifestyle in Bangkok…actually, we ourselves will live here because we believe, this is the best place for us.” The HANSAR project is a 43-storey, first-class condominium located in the very heart of Bangkok and offers impeccable services and facilities as that of a 4 to 5 star hotel. It is strategically 80 metres away from the Rajdamri BTS station and located in Central Lumpini. It incorporates the sustainable design wherein the environment is uncompromised and integrated in the whole property design. Thereby, design considerations include the sky pavilions and private sky decks; usage of heat and energy-saving materials; underground tanks that can store rain water for 9 hours to prevent street flooding, among others. The project’s research and planning stages began in 2004. The Crown Property Authority’s governing body fortunately approved his proposal and he was entitled with the initial 30-year leasehold agreement. Thereafter, SOMHANSAR’s one-year search for contracting partners began while waiting for the current residents to relocate. An open and negotiable bidding took place wherein four outstanding architectural companies from New York, Australia, Singapore and Thailand vied for the project, based on the provided intertwined concept. “I chose WOHA and the Tandem Architects…based on the idea that reflected my philosophy and not the price…,” he emphasizes. All 196 residence units offer fully furnished 1-3 bedroom units ranging from 55-350 square metres; and, boast standard customized built in kitchenettes with imported appliances, hardwood floorings and 3-metre high ceilings. Depending on which wing one resides in a tenant will have the breathtaking aerial view of the city and Lumpini Park. Exclusive amenities include a business centre, conference room; an oriental spa; library; gym; an infinite edge 25-metre swimming pool and jacuzzi pools; WIFI-access in public areas, and a gourmet store, among others. The hotel’s extended services comprise of concierge services, housekeeping, valet parking, laundry, room service, chef catering, 24-hour security, car wash and detailing, chauffeur lounge, etc. “Here, tenants have their own private lift lobby that brings them directly to their floor and door… there is a limited chance for you to meet your neighbours with the 11 elevators for both wings...you have privacy for yourself and your guests...,” he explains. Construction started in June 2006 and completion is expected by late 2009. In January 2007, SOMHANSAR tied a partnership with the Singaporean-based, Alila Hotels and Resorts, to manage the boutique hotel aspect. By last March, the HANSAR project was officially launched. To date, more than 50% of the 196 units have been pre-sold mostly through referrals and word-of-mouth, to foreign investors and expatriates interested in overseas properties. Remaining smaller units are valued at 100,000 baht per square metre. Presently, HANSAR offers prospective buyers a non-guaranteed, 5-year calculated return of investment (ROI) and a yearly free 30-day stay at the hotel. What about early retirement? “I choose not to retire, I choose to do what I like…this is my retirement!” Mr. Somboon says honestly at 56. As for his team, “the people behind me truly made all these possible and I commend them for their hard work and commitment.” CB Richard Ellis is the sole agent of HANSAR Rajdamri. Their showroom is located at The Regent House next to the American University Alumni (AUA) on Rajdamri Road. Other ongoing SOMHANSAR property projects are located in Koh Samui, Cha-am and Phuket; the Koh Samui undertaking is a smaller version of the HANSAR Rajdamri and shall be finished by 2008. Contact Details: Khun Somboon Chayavitchitsilp (Chairman)
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Bangkok is anticipating another momentous landmark project, the HANSAR Rajdamri, in 2009. Hence, many may wonder, who is the ambitious and passionate man behind it? Khun Somboon and his wife, Khun Chieko, graciously share a glimpse of their personal and family life, their expanding property empire, and lastly, what embarking on this large scale luxury condominium and boutique hotel venture, means for them. 
He further explains, “I lived within Bangkok’s vicinity for a long time and I own some properties, I see the opportunity to offer this and I am aware of available land within the area that I am able to negotiate... I learned over time that I like business and dealing with people.” For him, Thailand’s current political instability is a “temporary ‘hiccup’…and properties remain very much still undervalued in the region given their actual worth.”|
Tropical Living: September 2007, Volume 7 Issue 4 |
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