Developer launches Airport Link Square

The first mixed-use development near the Airport Rail link to Suvarnabhumi Airport will feature a shopping mall and a high-end hotel to attract tourists and business visitors. The mixed-use development project, A-Link Square, to be built by Airport Link Square, will be ready by the second quarter of next year at a development cost of around Bt900 million. The project is located on Ramkhamheang Road, around 600 metres from the Airport Rail Link’s Ramkhamheang station. It is around 10 km from down town Bangkok in a busy suburb noted for its entertainment, pubs, apartments and hotels. The project will feature two zones – a shopping mall and hotel, covering 40,000 sqm with around 113 shops and a hotel branded Niras Bangkok that will have just 63 rooms. According to the Airport Link Square, the project will achieve a return on investment in six years  based on its location as the first big mixed-use real estate development near the Airport Rail Link. Even so it is still 25 km from Suvarnabhumi Airport, but just 12 minutes away on the train. The owning company believes it can attract tourists who are on their way to the airport to stop for last-minute shopping at the mall. It is a long-shot as most tourists once they board an airport train are committed to just one task – boarding a plane to go home. However a more practical target is residents living on Sukhumvit 71, Ekamai, Thonglor, Khlong Tan, Phatthanakan, Rama IX, Ramkhamhaeng and Petchaburi roads. The company also claims it will develop a second hotel property in Bangkok of around 2,000 rooms that will cater to the events business,but gave no details of the site location or time-frame. From ttrweekly