Origin Property Public Company Limited in collaboration with Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., a major real estate company from Japan, took a team of bloggers to visit condominium projects under development by Nomura in Osaka and Kyoto, Japan from May 13 to 17, 2018, featuring the PROUD brand. Japanese condominiums not only offer a high level of privacy but also differ significantly from projects in Thailand.
1) In Japan, they refer to it as a mansion, while in Thailand, it is called a condominium.
2) Facilities: Japan lacks swimming pools, fitness centers, and onsen but has party rooms (lounges) and guest rooms (lobbies). In contrast, Thailand often includes swimming pools, fitness centers, and onsen (in some projects), as well as lounges/lobbies.
3) In Japan, the height of buildings is determined by the width of the sidewalks, while in Thailand, it is based on the width of the roads.
4) Japanese condominiums typically do not emphasize high floor-to-ceiling heights, averaging around 2.5 meters, whereas Thailand is currently favoring higher floor-to-ceiling heights, with many projects reaching up to 3 meters for a more spacious feel.
5) In Japan, the reservation fee is usually 5-10% of the full price, followed by waiting for transfer and bank installments, with no down payment in installments. In Thailand, the reservation fee depends on each company's conditions, and a down payment is required while waiting for project completion for transfer.
6) In Japan, reservation fees are forfeited if not transferred, while in Thailand, this depends on each company's conditions.
7) Japanese condominiums must undergo renovations every 12 years, while in Thailand, maintenance and renovations depend on the agreements of each project.
8) In Japan, common area fees are collected monthly to ease residents' expenses and encourage timely payments, while in Thailand, they are often paid once a year, with some projects charging twice a year.

Project 1: THE HOUSE Sumiyoshi Honcho is located in the Hyoyo-ken area of Kobe-shi, just 7 minutes from the Tokaido Honsen Sumiyoshi train station. Osaka-Kansai features landscapes distinct from Tokyo. This project is situated on a hillside near the source of the Sumiyoshi River, allowing residents to walk along the river to the train station. It is considered a luxury condominium in the Kansai region, relatively expensive and home to celebrities, with mountains behind and the sea in front. The project consists of a 5-story building with 129 units and 116 parking spaces, with living areas ranging from 80 to 100 square meters, priced at 238,000 THB per square meter. Completed in January 2005, it still retains its beauty.


Project 2: PROUD Tower Sumiyoshi is close to the train station and the Sumiyoshi River. This 29-story project has 107 units and 76 parking spaces, priced at 252,000 THB per square meter. The project is ready for transfer as of July 2012. Nearby is the Sumiyoshigawa Riverside Forum The Residence, resembling twin towers located on either side of the Sumiyoshi River and the train line. Notably, high-rise projects in Japan have height regulations based on sidewalk width, and Japanese condominiums lack fitness centers, swimming pools, or onsen, offering only party rooms and guest rooms, reflecting the Japanese lifestyle's emphasis on privacy.

 

Project 3: PROUD Shukugawa Court Terrace is located near the Tokaido-Line Sakura Shukugawa station, just 4 minutes away. This 4-story project has 104 units and 84 parking spaces, with living areas ranging from 70 to over 100 square meters in a Lux More style that is simple yet fully equipped. Completed in November 2018, the unit price is 264,000 THB per square meter. The project showcases attention to detail, such as safety features for cabinet doors and the placement of escape stairs on every balcony.

 

 

 



Project 4: PROUD Kurakuen is located 8 minutes from the Hankyu Dentetsu Koyo-Line Kurakuen-guchi station. This is a 70-year leasehold project (leasing land to build condominiums from the landowner) adjacent to the large Niteko Lake, offering views of the water and green trees. During cherry blossom season, residents can enjoy views of the blooming sakura surrounding the lake from their rooms. This project is situated in an area where buildings can only be 10 meters tall. The building design ensures sufficient elevator access, with one elevator serving every three units, and allows for two dogs per unit. This project has sold out, with 65 units and 67 parking spaces, priced at 274,000 THB per square meter, completed in April 2018.

 


Project 5: PROUD Shukugawa Natsugi-cho is located 7 minutes from the Hankyu Dentetsu Koyo-Line Kurakuen-guchi station. This project was completed in December 2011 and maintains its beauty, designed to blend harmoniously with the surrounding environment. Situated opposite the lake from the PROUD Kurakuen project, it offers views of the lake and the greenery surrounding it. The project consists of 4 stories with 27 units and 31 parking spaces.

Project 6: PROUD Tower Kitahama is a condominium in the CBD of Osaka, just 1 minute from the Osaka Metro Sakaisuji-line Kitahama station. Standing at 141 meters tall with 43 stories, it has 281 units and 100 parking spaces, priced at 363,000 THB per square meter. Targeting salarymen working in the city who seek convenience, the project is ready for transfer as of February 2020. The building was constructed by Obayashi, featuring a core structure designed to withstand earthquakes, known as the Kozo system, costing 400 million yen (approximately 120 million THB) for a size of 142.67 square meters. Japanese condominiums typically do not emphasize high floor-to-ceiling heights, averaging around 2.5 meters.

 

 

 



Project 7: PROUD CITY Tsukaguchi Eki-Mae is located 4 minutes from the JR Takarazuka-line Tsukaguchi station. This project is part of a complex on a large area, resulting from the collaboration of three companies, featuring condominiums, single-family homes, and commercial spaces. It is a 15-story building with 366 units, priced at 181,000 THB per square meter, completed in March 2018. Typically, the reservation fee for condominiums in Japan is 5-10% of the full price, and if not transferred, the reservation fee is forfeited. Additionally, every 12 years, condominiums must undergo renovations, and common area fees are collected monthly to ease residents' expenses and encourage timely payments.

Project 8: PROUD Kyoto Fuyacho Oike is located 4 minutes from the Kyoto Metro Tozai-Line Kyoto Shiyakusho-mae station. The exterior features a grit style that harmonizes with the old city, with buildings in this area often painted in dark colors to blend with the original architecture. This 10-story condominium is the most expensive in Kyoto, situated in the best location in the Fuyacho area, with 43 units and living areas ranging from 60 to 100 square meters, priced at 70 million yen (approximately 21 million THB), with the most expensive unit at 46 million THB. The second floor is order-made, and the project often attracts company owners as buyers. The project was ready for transfer in March 2016.
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