A League of its Own
The sight of its building is enough to stop you in your tracks, but step inside 98 Wireless and you’ll realise that a new form of luxury living awaits. Chong Seow Wei takes a tour of Sansiri’s newest development in Bangkok
There was much anticipation leading up to the March launch of 98 Wireless in Bangkok. Getting to see (and feel) the magnificence of the condominium by award-winning Thai property developer Sansiri in the metal is a sensorial experience that gives me a deeper appreciation of the attention to detail that went into elevating the luxury ante. It starts when I catch my first glimpse of the 25-storey property through the window of my room at the five-star Okura Prestige Bangkok Hotel, which sits a stone’s throw away along the same tree-lined Wireless Road. Even from a distance, the development’s beaux arts-inspired facade, which I later find out is adorned with beautiful Portuguese limestone that was also used for the flooring in the lobby, public areas and balconies,
is impossible to miss amid the sea of glass buildings. Yet, it doesn’t look out of place. It brings colour and a historical charm to a prime and primarily modern neighbourhood that is also home to upmarket shopping malls, world-class restaurants, five-star hotels, foreign embassies, as well as a new upscale holistic medical centre. Moreover, Sansiri CEO Apichart Chutrakul adds that the plot of land that the building stands on is freehold, a rarity in the neighbourhood. My curiosity heightens as we drive past the property’s wrought-iron gates onto the cobblestoned driveway towards the charming arched entrance. We spot a Bentley with a one-of-a-kind paint job in British Racing Green and the number “98” on its licence plate—our first indication of the extra touches of excellence that Sansiri offers. The car is available for use by residents. Sansiri took over five years to develop this 77-unit condominium, and understandably so. The combination of meticulous craftsmanship and clever creativity are apparent in the beautifully-veined Statuario marble that were handpicked from Italy for the bathrooms; the precisely designed parking spaces for a variety of private transport; the plush Ralph Lauren Home furnishings in the public spaces that you won’t be able to stop touching; and yes, even the outdoor swimming pool that wraps around part of the third floor. Furthermore, each floor was built with high ceilings to allow better airflow, while the spacious balcony in each unit offers you a panoramic view of the surrounding greenery—if you’re in the right spot, you might even get to peek into the lush residential compound of the US ambassador to Thailand next door! Of course, no less is expected from the genius creative team that includes architecture firm Design Worldwide Partnership, interior designer Anne Carson Interiors and landscape architect TROP Terrains + Open Space. But luxury ultimately is about comfort, and Sansiri has ensured that 98 Wireless is well-suited to the fast-paced Bangkok lifestyle. Extra touches such as the 24-hour concierge services by its in-house team as well as Quintessentially, for instance, give the property an edge over its peers. The development has already seen nearly 50 per cent of its units, including its largest penthouse, a 948sqm three-bedroom duplex, sold before its official launch. These early buyers are mostly well-heeled Thais and loyal Sansiri clients, who have forked out an average of 580,000 baht per sqm. 98 Wireless stands out for its world-class design and scrupulous consideration for quality and detail, making for an exquisite base to explore the vibrant charm of the Thai capital.