Srisuwan Mansion - Near New Convention Centre.

[shepsel]

I was driving around looking for new accommodation and came across the Srisuwan Mansion off of Canal road near the new Convention centre, and came across this apartment block. The apartment block is lacking landscaping, but on the inside it looks clean. It has a large swimming pool. What attracted me was the large size rooms and giant balconies. Other than the landlord supplying a bed, there is no furniture, no refrigerator, and most of the units don't have an inside kitchen or any appliances.

I was wondering if anyone who reads this forum lives there and can give the heads up on the place. If one was to move in and bring their own furniture and appliances it seems like quite a deal for a long term living arrangement if one were to make improvements to suit their individual tastes. I would appreciate any feedback.

[hellodolly]

What were their prices and how large were the rooms?

[shepsel]

What were their prices and how large were the rooms?

The living area and the bedroom area were about the same size--about 40 metres each. They have very large balconies in the building furtherst from the road. The balconies determine the size of the price--a regular 2 metre by 8 metre balcony on the inside apartments are 6000 baht. The wrap around balconies on the corner units are the same price, but there are apartments with super large balconies which are about 60 square metres in one area plus the 2 by 8 metre balcony giving a lot of outdoor space and they are asking 9000 baht for them.

There is potential there for a long term renter with some imagination. The kitchens in these units are virtually non existant, having a sink on the balcony. I asked about installing water in the main room, and they said that they could do this. I was thinking of putting an indoor kitchen area near the front door, and will go to check prices to see if this is worth it for a long term renter.

The view of the mountain is great for those facing west and south. There is also a very nice swimming pool which there is an extra charge of 500 baht a month for membership, and it even has a couple of reclining chairs around the pool. It seems like a nice quiet area to live in, and the building seems very clean, but I just can't understand why they didn't build an indoor area for a kitchen in the units.

[WinnieTheKhwai]

but I just can't understand why they didn't build an indoor area for a kitchen in the units.

I guess they leave this up to the buyer of the unit to decide if/how they want a kitchen?

If long term, why not buy a unit? There are several new condominium projects, most of them a bit out of town, for about 1.5 million for a 40sq m. unit. Are you sure this is BOTH a 40 sq meter living room AND 40 sq meter bedroom for a total of 80 sq meter? That seems unlikely.

I'm always puzzled why condominiums are built out of town. Seems to defeat the purpose of flat/condominium living. I've been looking into condominiums myself and they're all ways way North on the Canal Road or Mae Rim road, or along the Aom Muang ring. The only new one in town is 'The Shine' condo. Looks pricey though.

So I think for in-town renting, with a kitchen and plenty of space you might as well rent a house. When purchasing (in your own name) it becomes a lot harder as almost eveything is out of town, and you'll get increasing traffic issues around the Huay Kaew / Nimmanhaemin / Canal Road areas.

EDIT: As for the actual question, assuming they allow you to add a kitchen, I'm in the process of drawing up a budget for a small kitchen so I can share prices with you.

[llp]

i heard smaller rooms no air starting at 3300, with air ~4000, wifi 300 baht/month, no fridge, no tv, thought the swimming pool is free, min 3month contract

renting a unfurnished house for longer term in a better location would be better value

[nikster]

Are those units for sale? Doesn't make a lot of sense to have to install all this stuff for them unless you get a 10 year contract or something...

[shepsel]

The units are for rent only. The large apartments are approximately 90 square metres and the corner units with large terraces have over 100 square metres of outdoor space which seems like nice attraction.

In doing calculating the cost of condos that I have seen in the area for 3.5 million baht and up for something approximately 100 square metres, it doesn't seem logical to me to pay the cost of the condo up front when apartment rents are going for about 6000-7000 baht a month for a similar size. It is more logical for me to leave the money invested and use the interest/dividends on it to pay a cheap rent, and still have my investment in tact earning interest.