The creators of Ocean’s Edge – Saraan Lifestyle Development – have introduced new interior options in response to market conditions and feedback they have had from prospective customers, writes John Davids.
Put simply, Ocean’s Edge now have two extra, less expensive options in addition to their original offering which includes many top-of-the-range imported items such as Spanish marble tiles and German kitchen and bathroom fittings.
The packages range from “The Standard” in which buyers can purchase the bare shell from Bt16m (Bt95,000 per sqm) through to a “The Grand Deluxe” which includes many fixtures and fittings (starting price Bt18.45m or Bt110,000 per sqm). Then there’s the original “Presidential Deluxe” with everything you could imagine included for Bt25m+.
Andrew Neely, joint managing partner with Wim Scheggetman in Saraan Lifestyle Development, said: “The Grand Deluxe option will be ready to live in, but The Standard package will, of course, require work by the buyer.
“The shells will be finished to a high standard with walls ready for painting or wallpapering and floors will be smooth and level ready to accept wood or tiles. It makes sense for us to take the shells to this level of finish in case the customer wants to choose one of the other two packages.”

Security system
To describe the shells as “bare” is to do them a dis-service as many of the features that add up to the Ocean’s Edge experience are still included in the price. For example, the security system for the project overall will still apply. The system which allows exclusive owner access to the apartment via the lifts is unaffected. And, of course, the landscaped grounds, communal swimming pool and basement parking and storage will be available to shell buyers.
“When standing outside all the units will look the same,” said Andrew. “All the uPVC exterior windows and doors are unaltered. The space for the pool on the balcony will be there but the pool is not included in The Standard package. So it’s only the interiors that may differ.”
Andrew went on to explain that many of the features – especially on the technology side of things – were designed for the project overall. “It would not save us anything that we could pass on to the customer if we tried to exclude them from individual apartments,” he said.
“In talking to prospective customers many of them showed an interest in being part of the Ocean’s Edge lifestyle experience. They said they liked all the special things included in the original package and would love to live here, but felt that they could not quite reach the pricing level,” he added.

Exceed requirements
“Also, given they might only spend a relatively small portion of their time here, some felt that the quality items we were including in the specification were in excess of their requirements.”
Andrew continued: “We have listened to this and responded with these packages which place less emphasis on imported products. I feel that our middle package, in particular, will stand favourable comparison with any condominium development in the same price bracket.
“I would stress that we are more than willing to work with buyers to provide as little, or as much, as they need. So, if their requirements sit outside these three packages, we say ‘come and talk to us’. We are happy to be flexible. The packages are really a start point for discussion.
“All that we ask is that people are serious about buying at Ocean’s Edge. We had one prospective buyer go into considerable detail with us about what would or wouldn’t be included then he contacted us the next day to say the political climate wasn’t right for a purchase. Nothing of significance had happened in the intervening 24 hours!”
The project is due to complete next month (July) and should be ready for occupation in August. Some idea of the progress can be gauged from the aerial view (above) and the picture of the communal pool (left) taken in May.
The fact that the project is very close to completion is another plus for prospective buyers as it removes any “will it or won’t it happen” fears from the buying process. “The pool is coming along nicely, and, once complete, we will install the four septic tanks – one for each building,” said Andrew. “After that the people from Nong Nooch will move in to add the final touch – the landscaping.”

Interest levels
He said that levels of interest in Ocean’s Edge have not dropped off in recent months even given the well documented problems facing property developers in Pattaya and Thailand overall.
“There are two things we can’t do anything about; one internal, one external,” he said.
“So we looked at our pricing and decided to try to inject some stimulus into the sales process.”
That stimulus includes a willingness to consider rolling back the clock 12 months on unit pricing. But to try to list all the possible permutations on costs and savings would be difficult. So, as Andrew, says “if you are serious” about Ocean’s Edge we suggest you go to talk to them. Ω

The options at a glance

The Standard package includes...
Front door and uPVC exterior doors and windows
Plaster walls and floor topping
Balcony tiles and ceiling
Note: No swimming pool system

The Grand Deluxe package includes...
Normal uPVC sliding doors
Standard floor tiles throughout (not Spanish as Presidential option)
Standard gypsum ceiling
Air conditioning units
Painted interior walls (not Japanese silk wallpaper – Presidential)
Standard kitchen counter, top and sink
Basic lighting fixtures
Standard bathroom fixtures and fittings
Balcony tiles and ceiling
Balcony glass panels
Balcony swimming pool and system
Note: Does NOT include wood flooring, appliances, kitchen cabinets, bedroom wardrobes or cabinets, bathroom cabinets or specialised glass features that can be seen in the show apartment as part of the Presidential Deluxe package.

The Presidential Deluxe package...
Is as per the show apartment with full features.
Enquiries to +66 (0)38 702105 or +66(0)38 416866
or email: info@saraan.com