The Impact of the Supalai Blue Whale Condo

[wenshidi]

Will a new 30 storey building with 500 plus units affect the local market?

I see that facilities include a co working space. I hope that it is not sponsored by Wework. There is also a rhythm studio. No mention of a makerspace or a zero waste centre but these rich folks obviously have different priorities. How many parking spaces are allocated for each condo?

[STEVE G]

I appreciate that the architect was trying to make a statement but I don't think Norman Foster would've put a whale on the roof:
https://www.supalai.com/en/project/cond ... le-hua-hin

[wenshidi]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

I know a lot of old fashioned Brits who hate the Gherkin with a passion. Same for the O2. Some people just hate change.

Anyway, we are not the target audience for this kind of development, and I personally am very happy that the next generation wants to celebrate the whales rather than just exterminate them.

[caller]

It's a pretty uninspiring design, just a box really to maximise the number of units. At least in Bkk they are pretty good at cladding such designs to make them look something they're not. I'm not sure a whale cut's it! But it's well north of me, so doesn't really concern me. It's a bit out of keeping with the local environment though.

[wenshidi]

I did not make any claims with regards to its appearance. As for being in keeping, Hua Hin does not seem to have any kind of zoning or building regulations whatsoever, especially when you look at the hodgepodge of designs that have amassed over the years.

I noticed a couple of similarly uninspired developments on the southern edge of town. In my experience, it takes a while for a modern vernacular to appear, especially with skyrises. Most of the oldies in HH do not seem to appreciate high rise developments, and so it makes sense that the developers would not do anything crazy with their first attempt in the city.

More importantly, what do the locals think? Will it be a trendy commuter block for youngsters taking the HST to BKK or will it just become another Energy?

Having watched some of the videos, the apartments look very cramped. I wonder how their pre sales are doing?

[STEVE G]

Yes, it definitely looks more of a Bangkok weekend holiday home kind of place rather than a residence with all those small studios.
I see parking is listed as 48% which I suppose means that they don't expect everyone to be there at once!
As to zoning, there used to be a height limit for new buildings in the city but this might be outside of that area, if it still applies at all.

[HHTel]

Yeh, the rules came out in the early 2000,s when it was dictated that no building within the Hua Hin municipality had to be no more than 4 stories. Buildings already there were of course exempt.

[hhinner]

Yeh, the rules came out in the early 2000,s when it was dictated that no building within the Hua Hin municipality had to be no more than 4 stories. Buildings already there were of course exempt.

Isn't there a building under construction in soi 94 that's going to be 8 storeys? Maybe the rules have changed.

[caller]

I thought the rule was 8 stories for buildings east of the Petchkasem Road, hence that God awful condo between soi112 and True arena, which is at least double that,

[wenshidi]

30 stories looks strange when it is by itself, but is much more comfortable when everybody is at a similar height.

[hhinner]

I thought the rule was 8 stories for buildings east of the Petchkasem Road, hence that God awful condo between soi112 and True arena, which is at least double that,

I wonder if that monstrosity was approved before the new rule went into effect.

As for the "whale", that's in an area of narrow sois. And it's certainly within the municipal area. So you may well be right that it applies only to the east of Petchkasem.

Are they making wider access to it? And it will certainly stand out in the Tan Diao area. Eyesore or beautiful landmark?

[Dannie Boy]

I thought the rule was 8 stories for buildings east of the Petchkasem Road, hence that God awful condo between soi112 and True arena, which is at least double that,

I wonder if that monstrosity was approved before the new rule went into effect.

As for the "whale", that's in an area of narrow sois. And it's certainly within the municipal area. So you may well be right that it applies only to the east of Petchkasem.

Are they making wider access to it? And it will certainly stand out in the Tan Diao area. Eyesore or beautiful landmark?

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder!!

[wenshidi]

I could also be argued that those same dog leg sois were already an eyesore in terms of uncontrolled urban sprawl, which is particularly apparent as you go up into the hills. I am sure that you already know of the most notorious case.

There are already so many abandoned properties in that area. It is good to see new properties under construction.

What concerns me more, is additional 500 Fortunas heading to and from the HST every day during rush hour.

[hhinner]

I could also be argued that those same dog leg sois were already an eyesore in terms of uncontrolled urban sprawl, which is particularly apparent as you go up into the hills. I am sure that you already know of the most notorious case.

There are already so many abandoned properties in that area. It is good to see new properties under construction.

What concerns me more, is additional 500 Fortunas heading to and from the HST every day during rush hour.

HST? When do you think that might happen? If ever. And where will those fortuners be parked?

[Benroon]

I thought the rule was 8 stories for buildings east of the Petchkasem Road, hence that God awful condo between soi112 and True arena, which is at least double that,

Yep it is a horrible looking building thats for sure. Have you seen the construction right next to it? Given the size of the machinery and the volume of workers being shipped in and out, that's not going to be small scale. So if you have bought a condo in the aforementioned god awful one, it could be about to be rendered worthless ! Already some will have lost their daylight, and they've barely started.

As for will it knock HH condo prices, surely it has to. I just feel sorry for the hundreds of properties that will be kissing goodbye to sunlight when thats gone up.