Thread: DrAndy's Rachman-style apartments

How much are you gonna be renting the apartments out for bud ?

That only looks 3 storeys high ??

I hope you have budgeted for a new set of curtains

What is the location Doc?

We have had various offers over the time we have owned it but decided to keep and develop it




Inside the 1st and second floors look like this, a sort of atrium; we will extend the floor all the way to the front so that the space can be used more usefully




most of the shophouses in the soi are single versions, so getting a double was excellent




at the back is a small bathroom and a little wall; behind that wall area we will make the concierge's room, with washing machine and broom cupboard. New windows will be punched into the rear wall (there are just airbricks at present)

We will build another apartment on the roof (pics later) to fill the present space, making a nice penthouse. The roof of the existing room on the 5th will be kept as a roof terrace

Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

That only looks 3 storeys high ??

yes it does; the new extended second floor comes across the metal grill gates, and goes to the next floor

the space at the top will be the new penthouse build

Originally Posted by Carrabow

What is the location Doc?

Originally Posted by DrAndy

The best thing about this building is it's location, just outside the old city moat down a quiet soi

near Tha Pae gate

Originally Posted by sabaii sabaii

How much are you gonna be renting the apartments out for bud ?

Bud is out at the moment, but I think they will be in the B7000-B9000 range

nice modern apartments, near all the action. Not like most of the condo developments which seem to be badly placed

The main problem with renovating an old building is the strength of the floors, they were not built to take heavy loads

any walls to be built will be placed above the beams, bathrooms will have extra supporting beams made. Any walls not above a beam will be made using double beaver type board (or Gyproc) and spacers for lightness

Originally Posted by Thetyim

I hope you have budgeted for a new set of curtains

I quite like the shabby chic look

You should do well in that location as long as the renter's don't mind road noise. Sensible as well not going to get into the Guest House mess. Good luck. Post progress photos.

DrAndy's Rachman-style apartments

Peter Rachman (1919 – 29 November 1962) was a London landlord in the Notting Hill area in the 1950s and 1960s. He became so notorious for his exploitation of tenants that the word "Rachmanism" entered the OED as a synonym for any greedy, unscrupulous landlord.[1]

Maybe not the best keyword to use on Craigslist, when they're ready

Wow, great idea Andy. Looks like a winner at that location. Japanese will love it and they are clean. We hope to do the same thing but from scratch on a rai of land we own on Song Phrapa here in Don Muang. But from scratch. That plan is on a bit of a hold because of the flood and damage to the house.

But your idea is a winner, make it so the tenants can sublease their places or make them available to decent folks on weekly rentals. Maybe a crazy idea, but the Japanese come in droves for the cool and the golf;

Last time in Cameroon highlands we had a great two bedroom place that was rented by a Japanese businessman who was there only 4 months of the year.

Good luck and you wont need it, its too good of an idea.

How many square metres are these apartments going to to be Andy ?

I saw this on Craigslist which looks nice. I don't know the Chiang Mai area though

This one is 50 odd sq metres, all mod cons and a free motocy for 8750 baht pcm

You can even stink the place out with cat Piss

Beautiful Studio+125 Motorbike 8750 B Month

Iv'e never been in one of these shop houses, but that have reminded me of barbican flats. long, thin and with a little bit of light coming in from the ends.... rather gloomy inside. isn't that going to be a problem with thats flats? ahh forgot they rackman flats

anyway, best of luck

When I fist saw this thread, I thought of bedsits for Thais, normally 4000 baht a month in Bangkok. With about 6 bargirls in one room sleeping on a mat on the floor. (it was a good night )

Andy seems an astute fella though, so will be nice to see how this thread comes along

Originally Posted by DrAndy

nice modern apartments, near all the action. Not like most of the condo developments which seem to be badly placed

Not a lot of action in Chiang Mai these days, unlike the earl ninties.

The soi looks familiar, is it down Chang Moi on the right with a couple of kow tom shops and motocycle repair shop at the end.