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Published on August 17, 2007

Boonmasom has staged a coup by taking over a failed 15-year-old condominium project and turning it into a successful residential estate.

Originally known as Baan Poomsin, the 17-storey structure was unable to draw buyers to move in after its launch in the early Nineties.

Last year, Boonmasom bought most of the apartments and refitted them.

The result was a complete transformation from a nearly deserted tower into a fairly presentable mid-level high-rise project.

Although its appearance is dated, the project - now called Roof Garden - has a number of amenities that sets it a notch up from the newer but tightly budgeted projects that are being constructed in the mid-Sukhumvit area.

It has a medium-sized swimming pool on the fourth floor, along with a modest fitness centre.

These facilities were repaired after being abandoned for some years. The salvaged grounds hide its troubled past rather well.

Of the 99 units, only 30 remain unsold. Price starts from Bt55,000 a square metre.

Some units have a fixed parking space attached, for which the developer will charge buyers. For example, if the car park is about 10 square metres, an additional Bt550,000 will be tagged on the price of the apartment.

The good news is there are no surprises, as such billings are straightforward and transparently communicated upon one's visit.

Buyers looking for really economical units may be disappointed as Roof Garden is aiming at the upper-middle end of the market.

There are three floors of parking, with the pool, fitness centre and gardens being located on the fourth floor.

Most of the units are reasonably designed with big windows, and some units overlook the First Stage Expressway that runs above the soi.

For buyers who may prefer less busy views, there are some units that overlook stationary objects such as nearby factory roofs and other low-rise homes.

The location is about 500-600 metres from the main Sukhumvit Road, which is connected to the On Nut Skytrain station.

Plus Property acted as its agent earlier this year, but the developer has now taken over the task of selling.

Itthi C Tan

The Nation