Details of the MahaNakhon development were announced on 27 May 2009. The development team included German architect Ole Scheeren, former partner of the design firm Office for Metropolitan Architecture; Thai company Pace Development; David Collins Studio in London; and Industrial Buildings Corporation. In 2015 PACE bought the remaining shares of former partner IBC, thus becoming the sole project developer. The groundbreaking ceremony was held on 20 June 2011, the building was topped off in 2015, and was completed in 2016. The total project value as a result of pricing changes during the course of construction reached 21 billion baht. In October 2013, the construction of the smaller CUBE building was finished. At that time the main tower reached the 4th floor, growing at the rate of approximately two to three storeys per month. As of September 2014, construction of the main tower reached the 45th floor, and in December 2014 the building had reached the 60th floor. In April 2015, PACE revealed that the tower had reached its full height and was topped off at 314 meters, making it the tallest building in Bangkok. Finally in 2016, the CTBUH recognized the building as completed. In March 2014, PACE announced that the development was now being sold freehold, having previously been a leasehold property. The building was purchased from PACE Development by King Power group in April 2018, resulted in the name change from MahaNakhon to King Power MahaNakhon.
Design and location
The tower is the shape of a square prism with the appearance of a rough spiral with cuboidal surfaces cut into the side of the building. The building features a pixelated ribbon that swirls around the exterior, peeling back its surface layer to expose an inner layer, creating balconies with views of the city. The glass walls are divided horizontally and vertically, adding to the building's "pixelated" appearance. Its height surpassed that of the Baiyoke Tower II's record of at the time of completion in 2016, making it the 88th tallest building in the world. Among the features of the building are: of retail space ; 209 residences serviced by Ritz-Carlton, which, with prices ranging from approximately 42 – 500 million baht, are among the highest prices asked for Thai luxury real estate, freehold or leasehold in Bangkok; the Orient Express Bangkok hotel, with 154 rooms including 9 suite and 2 penthouses, to be operated by AccorHotels; as well as a rooftop observation deck. MahaNakhon at one point featured Thailand's first L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon, Thailand's first restaurant by Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto, Thailand's first Vogue Lounge, and the largest Dean & DeLuca in Thailand, however all retail outlets have been closed in 2019 pending redevelopment by the new owners. An outdoor plaza, will connect the tower to the Chong Nonsi station of the BTS Skytrain Silom Line and the Bangkok BRT station on Narathiwat Ratchanakharin Road. In January 2013, PACE Development announced the sale of the highest-price condominium penthouse in Thailand at MahaNakhon, a two-floor, residence costing 480 million baht. PACE Development marketed MahaNakhon overseas, including in the Middle East, the first time that a Thai property developer had marketed Thai property in the Middle East as well as in Hong Kong and Singapore.
Awards
In September 2014, Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok at MahaNakhon, was named "Best Luxury Condo Development 2014 " at the Thailand Property Awards. In October 2014, The Ritz-Carlton Residences, Bangkok at MahaNakhon was named "Best Thailand Development 2014" and "Best Luxury Condominium Southeast Asia 2014" at the SE Asia Property Awards. In 2015, MahaNakhon was recognised at the Asia-Pacific Property Awards, winning three major awards including Best Mixed Use, Best Residential, and Best Residential Highrise. Subsequently, the project has also been recognised with presentations at CTBUH, the Council for Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat and Chulalongkorn University.
