DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT

No matter where you go in the world, the construction of new housing developments is often driven at least in part by the sale of its individual units off plan. So when sales are weak (for whatever reason), inevitably building work will grind to a halt or, worse, the project itself scrapped; a fate which can befall even the biggest name property developers and a not altogether uncommon phenomenon in Thailand! In this vein, it hasn’t exactly been plain sailing for The Issara Chiang Mai condo. First launched as far back as October 2013, a shortfall in demand early on soon caused production to hit the skids. But armed with a revised marketing strategy and a new-found alliance with a large-scale Chinese construction contractor (at the same time helping to attract their fellow countryfolk to buy into the project), The Issara Chiang Mai has bounced back from the brink! And, with work very much in progress and an updated completion date of March 2018, is shaping up to be worth its lengthy gestation! Helmed by one of Thailand’s longest established and multi-award winning real estate frontrunners well known for delivering premier quality, elegantly designated and innovatively designed habitations, the family-owned Charn Issara Group’s debut upcountry condominium promises a modern-contemporary low-rise architectural design infused with age-old Lanna[Northern Thai] cultural charm and “true luxury”, resort style living.

LOCATION

Occupying three rai (almost half a hectare) of land just inside the neighbouring district of San Sai, The Issara Chiang Mai is perched right on the fringes of the city along –but positioned back from- the Inner Ring Road; residents then will be afforded a secluded out-of-town hideaway yet still enjoy fast, expedient access to destinations throughout the metropolitan area. Even for those without their own means of transport, not five minutes on foot from the condo lies not only a hypermarket and two separate shopping complexes but also a wet market in the company of many a mom and pop business enough to satisfy every daily need and much more. Nearest to The Issara Chiang Mai is the massive Tesco Lotus Ruamchoke ‘Department Store’ spread over two levels and facing which, the three floors of the blissfully uncrowded Meechok Plaza with its perennially popular branch of Rimping Supermarket, surrounding Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese restaurants, Kelly’s Bistro famed among local expats for their English style fish ‘n’ chips plus, twice weekly, a terrific night market out front. Next door, and only opened in August of this year, stands Ruamchok Mall home to its namesake Supermarket stocking an ample and fairly priced selection of groceries, rustically appointed al fresco café and sizeably proportioned Alpina Food Court offering a respectable mix of domestic and international fare, corner bar and cosy seating area-cum-event space. While for temptingly fresh produce, mere steps away is Kad Ruamchok day market side by side with parades of shophouses variously filled with Thai eateries, clothing outlets and just about every conceivable household good at absurdly low prices. Digital nomads in particular will surely welcome the relatively recent introduction of Chiang Mai’s latest co-working environment, Code Space, situated just 500m from the Ruamchok Meechai intersection and now open round-the-clock!

ON-SITE FACILITIES

Set to feature 24-hour security guards, CCTV cameras keeping tabs on common areas and an electronic keycard entry system, residents at The Issara Chiang Mai needn’t have any hang-ups at all about their wellbeing whilst on the premises. And though their precise days and hours of operation remain to be announced, we expect condo juristic staff will be on duty no less than six or seven days a week for added peace of mind. As well as a standard complement of covered private parking, a communal lobby with shared WiFi internet freely available not to mention a pair of passenger lifts [elevators] per building, The Issara Chiang Mai condo will figure a number of top-end clubhouse amenities most notably an airy fitness room carrying cutting-edge exercise equipment beside an exclusive and centrepiece free-form outdoor lap pool (supposedly saltwater) further enhanced by sunken seating and jacuzzi; edging which a wide wood-panelled sun terrace bedecked with a collection of stylish and snug-looking lounge chairs, and framed by lush foliage lending both shade and privacy. Beyond, a fastidiously landscaped tropical garden and a fitting spot from which to “reconnect with nature” or simply bask in the all-pervading quietude.

ROOM TYPES, LAYOUT & SPECIFICATION

Enclosing the inner quadrangle, The Issara Chiang Mai’s two 7-storey condo buildings (identified –from the original project plan- as C and D) will together support 265 fully turnkey, air-conditioned and balconied residential units overall. Although absent of any studios, the 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom units will provide roughly 35 sq m of useable space with 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom units double the size; all, though, will be optimally but flexibly laid out in a combination living/dining/kitchen arrangement with 2.6m high ceilings, large windows admitting loads of natural light and, as an extra safety measure, each unit should be kitted out with a digital door lock. And if the on-site showroom gallery is anything to go by, interior presentation and functionality look to be a cut above with clean lines, warm tones and a most homey feel.

Are you considering investing in one or more units at The Issara Chiang Mai condominium? If so, we’d be delighted to hear your thoughts by leaving us a comment below!