Many of these ultra-luxury brands have located their flagships stores in the stunning 25,000-square metre super-luxury glass pavilion called ‘Iconluxe’ which is situated next to the river and has the longest pillarless glass façade in the world. It is built with specially commissioned glass that is pleated around the building to create a nirvana of luxury and helps accelerate the transformation of the Chao Phraya River into a major new destination in Bangkok.
Supoj Chaiwatsirikul, chief executive officer, Iconsiam, said, “The opening of Iconsiam will inaugurate in Thailand a completely new business model for destination development. ‘Creating shared value’ and ‘co-creation’ are the twin mantras of a revolutionary new approach to retailing and Iconsiam introduces them both to Thailand, elevating to a totally new level our country’s offerings for both Thai residents as well as foreign visitors.”
He said, “Iconsiam is a destination that will excite visitors with a rich diversity of offerings, including art and culture, in addition to extraordinary dining and shopping possibilities. The project is co-designed and co-activated in collaboration with enterprises of all sizes and with people from all walks of life, and the benefits of the project are shared among all parties.”
He said, “We are committed to making Iconsiam a new national landmark and an exciting global destination. We have therefore placed particular emphasis on becoming the location of choice for the flagship stores of the world’s finest brands as well as introducing many firsts and innovations at the various outlets within Iconsiam.”
He said, “Iconsiam is bringing more than 188 ‘first-time-in-Thailand’ brands and store concepts to Thailand that are ‘icons within Icon’. They include duplex mansion of luxury brands.”
Thailand’s fine dining offerings will also get an important new addition with the opening of a world-class restaurant as well as a rooftop bar that will have one of the city’s most beautiful views over the river. The restaurant is certain to rise quickly to become one of Asia’s top fine dining locations. There are seven different food and beverage zones within Iconsiam each with a different atmosphere and concept.
Fitness First, Thailand’s most popular fitness club with more than 29 clubs, will open its flagship club at Iconsiam.
According to Chaiwatsirikul, a budget of approximately Bht 1,000 million will be spent on the opening and launch arrangements around the opening period, including a substantial investment in international communications.
“Because Iconsiam will be a showcase for the very best that Thailand has to offer and serve as a platform to propel Thai brands, products, artists, artisans, and Thai culture on to the global stage, we are investing heavily to make Iconsiam globally visible. We want Iconsiam to be a magnet for the country capable of drawing hundreds of thousands of international and local visitors a day, and to bring honour to Thailand,” he said.
As for Iconsiam’s two luxury residential towers, Visit Malaisirirat, chief executive officer of MQDC, project developer, said “The 70-floor, luxury ‘Magnolia Waterfront Residences’ with its 379 residential units is 90 per cent complete while the 52-floor, super luxury ‘The Residences at Mandarin Oriental Bangkok’ with its 146 residential units is 80 per cent complete. It is the first ‘Mandarin Oriental’ branded residence in Southeast Asia and is one of Asia’s prime real estate developments. Residents are provided with amazing scenery unlike any other of the Chao Phraya River, as well as Mandarin Oriental’s legendary and world-class services.”