Overview of an appealing and established neighborhood!

Ekkamai has without a doubt, claimed its spot as an established and appealing neighborhood. However despite having a unique character and vibe, it is often overshadowed by its flashier neighbor Thonglor!

The latter has been under the spotlight for several years and has gentrified into Bangkok’s high-society hangout spot; welcoming a multitude of classy community malls and luxury residential towers. As a result Ekkamai is often overlooked and underrated, often viewed as just a side-extension of the Thonglor neighborhood.

However unlike Thonglor’s brash and flashy vibe, the area has developed in parallel to its more famous and popular neighbor. It has developed a more bohemian and laidback living environment. Discreetly, it has nurtured a unique and appealing lifestyle proposition for its local residents, with a balanced mix of daytime and evening entertainment venues.

It offers a comfortable and convenient environment for both families and single working professionals. As residents have access to two major retail and shopping options notably Gateway Ekkamai shopping mall and Big C Ekkamai hypermarket.

Interestingly, the area has defined itself as a mixture of old and new, where charming old shop houses intertwine and melds with classy socialite hangouts. Ekkamai also hosts some of Bangkok’s top nightlife scene, with a collection of classy bars and clubs clustering on Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Soi Ekamai).

Underrated Condo Investment Opportunity?

Ekkamai is made up of Sukhumvit Soi 63 (Also known as Soi Ekkamai) and a collection of roads clustering around BTS Ekkamai (Notably Suhukmvit Soi 42, 61, 65).

The neighborhood, due to its central location and appealing lifestyle has inadvertently transformed into a popular rental hub for the CBD’s working professionals. It benefits from a steady and constant rental demand and is particularly popular with the Japanese Expat community. This makes Ekkamai increasingly appealing for buy-to-let investors looking for rental condos in an established area of the Capital.

As mentioned above, while developers have been focusing their activities on gentrifying Thonglor, Ekamai has been left relatively untouched. At the moment condo options and supply in the area remains relatively limited; however available options are good quality and are marketed at competitive resale prices. In many ways, Ekkamai can be described as:

“Thonglor without the price tag”

The area offers a unique value proposition that manages to balance the competitive prices of an up-and-coming market with the cachet of an established prime-area.

A few established developers are capitalizing on this opportunity, the most notable being listed developer AP (Thai) that has recently completed “Rhythm Sukhumvit 42” and is in the process of building “Rhythm Ekkamai”. Raimon Land a luxury developer has just completed “The Lofts Ekkamai”. On a final note, Siamese Asset is also undertaking the development of a low-rise development “Siamese Exclusive Sukhumvit 42”, located right next to the newly completed Rhythm Sukhumvit 42.

Ekkamai Condo Options

The neighborhood offers a range of options from high/low-rise and from established/ independent Developers. Here are 5 notable examples:

1. Nusasiri Grand

Developer: Nusasiri
Year Completed: 2007
Units: 303
Towers: 2
Floors: 28 Floors

Nusasiri Grand boasts being one of the few Condos directly connected to a BTS Station; this makes it extremely convenient and appealing to working professionals.

The project is a mixed-used development with commercial spaces in the lower-floors and residential units on the higher floors. As a whole Nusasiri Grand is well-presented and residents have access to a pool and gym. Units do feel a little old-fashioned however they offer spacious and airy layouts.

2. Rhythm Sukhumvit 42

Developer: AP (Thai)
Year Completed: 2016
Units: 407
Floors: 36

Chic and classy Project by AP (Thai) it offers a convenient and modern city condo lifestyle. Rhythm Sukhumvit 42 offers resident a range of ultra-luxury facilities including a rooftop pool, gym and library with stunning views over Bangkok.

Units tend to be functional, comfortable and modern in style and feel. It is important to note, that the Condominium is one of the premium condo options in the neighborhood.

3. The Lofts Ekkamai

Developer: Raimon Land
Year Completed: 2016
Units: 263
Floors: 28 Floors

Luxury Condo by Raimon Land, the project is stylish and sleek. Common areas such as the lobby and facilities (Pool and Gym) are carefully designed and contemporary making it an ideal city lifestyle condo.

Being a recently completed The Lofts Ekamai, the Units are high-end and are being resold at a premium especially when compared to some of Ekkamai’s older projects.

4. Zenith Place Sukhumvit 42

Developer: –
Year Completed: 2010
Units: 280
Towers: 2
Floors: 8

This Condo is a pleasant low-rise project comprised of 2 towers it offers a pleasant and comfortable lifestyle. Residents have access to a number of facilities such as a rooftop pool, a gym and a garden area. While Condo units in Zenith 42 tend to be compact in size and layout, they are offered at affordable entry-level prices!

5. Tree Condo Ekamai

Developer: Big Tree Asset
Year Completed: 2014
Units: 119
Floors: 8

Tucked away in “Soi Saman Chan” a side-road of Sukhumvit Soi 42, Tree Condo Ekkamai is a functional, convenient and peaceful condo. The project is well-managed and well-presented; residents benefit from facilities such as a pool, gym and a rooftop garden.