Property Hunter Magazine Issue 63- February 2015 | Page 56

INTERNATIONAL PROPERTY NEWS

Country Group Partners With Four
Seasons Hotels And Resorts
In Bangkok

T

hai developer Country Group
Development this week
announced its latest luxury
multi-use development along the
banks of Chao Phraya River in
Bangkok’s city centre.
The low-density development,
collectively called Chao Phraya
Estate, is being developed in
partnership with Four Seasons
Hotels and Resorts, and will
comprise a 300 plus-room branded
luxury hotel and a 73-storey
residential tower.
Featuring more than 350 metres of
prime riverfront stretch, the mixeduse property will consist of the new
Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at
Chao Phraya, and the Four Seasons
Private Residences Bangkok at
Chao Phraya, boasting more than
350 all-corner luxury units.
“Country Group is exceptionally
proud to be collaborating with
Four Seasons to develop one of
Bangkok’s most iconic hotel and
private residences, demonstrating
our long-term commitment to
the people of Thailand,” said Ben
Taechaubol, Country Group CEO,
in a statement. “Through our
collaboration with Four Seasons,

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Chao Phraya-Estate 2
our aim is for Chao Phraya
Estate to redefine the waterfront
experience in Bangkok and Asia.”
Michael Crawford, president, Asia
Pacific, of Four Seasons Hotels
and Resorts, also commented:
“We’re thrilled to be working with
Country Group on the historic
development of this unique and
exquisite Bangkok landmark
located on the banks of the Chao
Phraya River. Bangkok continues
to be a destination of choice for
business and leisure travellers
and this property will embody our
commitment to innovation and
exceeding the expectations of our
discerning guests.”

Facebook’s Sprawling New HQ
Designed By Frank Gehry

A

fter Facebook assumed the
former Sun Microsystems
complex in Palo Alto in
2011, Facebook founder Mark
Zuckerberg set out to find an
architect capable of handling a
grand design for its main main
headquarters building. Zuckerberg
chose world famous architect Frank
Gehry for the job (amid major
concessions to the city of Palo Alto).
If he was looking for impact,
Zuckerberg could have made no
better choice. Gehry’s past designs
have become renowned tourist
attractions, like the Guggenheim
Museum in Bilbao, Spain. They
are considered some of the most
important works of contemporary
architecture on the planet.
Photos of the Gehry model that
will become Facebook’s new HQ
have been floating around for
a couple of years. But with the
building slated for completion next
year, Facebook provided these
new, exclusive images to Business
Insider of what the world can
expect from Gehry’s latest design:
At more than 435,000 square
feet, spread across 22 acres, the
new building dips and rises from
45 to 73 feet. It is built above a

surface-level parking lot with a
massive rooftop green space that
resembles a park more than a
small corporate outdoor garden.

Facebook’s new building
is a powerful example
of how people create
a sense of space and
ownership over their
environment. Buildings
have long been held
up as shining example
of human innovation.
Considering Gehry’s
new design is just one
of many expansive new
Silicon Valley projects, it
feels as if the whole area
is gently reshaping its
self image.
The roof will support a handful
of outdoor cafes, barbecues and
work benches beneath full-size
trees to complete the park-like
effect. One building will be large
enough to house 10,000 workers
in a single room.
The building is scheduled to open
in the spring of 2015.

Hamiltons International has been
appointed to design the masterplan
of the project, along with interior
design consultants BAMO.

Frank Gehry (left) and Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg
(centre) discussing plans for new HQ