FEATURE: We’re Building a Villa on Koh Phangan
Here’s the latest update with photos, videos and even VR
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There's been a good leap in progress at our villa. We now have a study frame for the roof! You can even step inside and begin to experience the distinct rooms taking shape, although, I must admit, you’ll need a vivid imagination, as everything is still quite raw.
Would you like to come for a tour?
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A few days ago, I went to check out our villa-in-progress with Fraser. We have a weekly standing meeting at the site.
This remarkable space is taking form on a sizable 1 rai plot in the northern reaches of Koh Phangan. Nestled within a charming fishing village that’s undergoing a remarkable transformation into a vibrant resort town, our villa stands as a testament to both progress and potential.
The pace of construction has gained momentum, and Fraser predicts that we’re just 4 months from completion date. That’s not just exciting; it’s positively thrilling! So on the off-chance that we don’t manage to sell it before the finishing touches are in place, we’re toying with the idea of renting it short-term during the high season to recoup some of our investment. If this year’s high season is anything like last year’s — which remains uncertain but increasingly likely — we could make a fortune on a 3-bedroom seaview pool villa in Chaloklum.
We’re building to sell
Our villa project is more than just bricks and mortar; it’s an investment of passion and partnership. In simple terms, we’ve pooled our resources with friends, each contributing equally, and we’ll reap the rewards equally when it sells. We already have some interested buyers. The creative genius behind our architectural and interior design, Aaz, is hard at work crafting a virtual rendition of our villa. This virtual experience isn’t just about design; it’s a chance to explore and fall in love with our villa before it’s even completed.
Our journey into property development began with the land purchased using the inheritance from my dad. And we managed to sell both villas before they were built, making enough profit to reinvest into this project — as well as paying off debt and scraping me out of the shit after I had to close my content agency during Covid.
We were originally going to build two separate, smaller villas with our friends. But eventually we realised that combining forces and building one big 300 square metre villa would be the best option and get us the biggest bang for our buck.
Designing our villa in VR
The design journey of our villa is nothing short of remarkable. Collaborating with Aaz, we’re breaking new ground. Imagine this: you can take any product you find on websites like NocNoc.com, HomePro, Lazada or whatever, and transform it into a virtual model. With pinpoint accuracy, you can place it inside the villa, complete with the right dimensions and colours. The magic here is that you’re decorating your dream villa in real time, without ever setting foot inside the actual construction site. It’s nothing short of revolutionary.
Right now, the process involves me taking a screenshot of a wall feature or furniture item and then “walking around” the villa virtually to find where it will go. Each screenshot captures my vision in detail, with circles marking precisely where you’d like to bring the item or feature to reside.
Here’s what they look like:
I pop these into our Woodrow Designs folder > Bedroom A > Closet. So then Aaz knows that that’s the style of closet I want in Bedroom A. And then lather, rinse, repeat for all the remaining items in the villa. It’s a lot of work, but it’s also quite enjoyable!
In fact, we only just introduced our architectural services at the start of the year, and it's already our busiest department. Our secret sauce? Selling your villa before it’s even built. Thanks for our virtual experiences — not to mention the supercomputer we invested heavily in — potential buyers can connect with the villa in a tangible way, making it an even more valuable proposition.
Our villa’s inspiration and unique features
When it comes to design inspiration, we’ve looked far and wide, from the eye-catching Karma villas and Wild Cottages on Samui, to every nook and cranny of Pinterest. Our aim is to cultivate a natural boho luxe vibe.
But what truly sets our villa apart are the unique features we’ve envisioned. Imagine a sunken sala poised to the south side of the pool. Think about an outdoor jacuzzi spa area gracing the terrace of the downstairs bedroom. And then there’s the masterstroke: Aaz is designing a self-contained apartment on the edge of the land. Why, you ask? To cater to the savvy short-term rental market. When a buyer lists their villa on Airbnb, they can seamlessly transition to the self-contained apartment and return to the main villa once the rental period concludes. Convenience, luxury, and adaptability all rolled into one!
Chaloklum, Koh Phangan: The hotspot
Let me share a conviction: Chaloklum, our villa’s home and my first home in Koh Phangan, is poised to become the island’s hext hotspot. Chaloklum has always stood out, nestled in the island’s northern corner, with its own pier, quaint shops, and charming restaurants. It boasts an unmistakable laid-back vibe, a beachfront that seemingly stretches forever, and the luxury of swimmable coastal waters — a stark contrast to the sandbars that hinder swimming on most of the island’s beaches. (Ko Pha Ngan translates from Thai as ‘sand bar island’, which is why you need to walk far out from the coast before you can swim on many beaches.)
The signs pointing to Chaloklum’s imminent rise are unmistakable. The prestigious Kupu Kupu resort is rumoured to be opening a second location near Chaloklum, while a sprawling 104-room hotel is underway on the beachfront to the north. Beyond that, six 150-square-metre beachfront pool villas are being built. Notably, a proposal for a boardwalk through the beachfront properties — once met with resistance — now seems set to become a reality. Even a sea barrier to protect the coastline has been accepted.
And, in the midst of it all, our team at Sand & Stone is overseeing the creation of breathtaking villas that will — together with the other coming developments — transform Chaloklum’s landscape. Which is either the reason why or the product of the fact that nearly everyone I know who’s building a villa… is building it in Chaloklum or nearby.
Ascent with intent
As we ascend the property ladder, our investment villa on Koh Phangan is taking shape — a symbol of the opportunities we’ve unlocked. While the dream of actually living in one of our villas remains on the horizon (soon!!?? I hope!??), our current path is one of transformation.
Chaloklum, home of our project, is poised to emerge as a property investment hotspot. The town’s allure has never been more evident. From the rise of upscale resorts to the development of beachfront villas and the acceptance of groundbreaking proposals, the signs are unmistakable.
As we move forward, each step brings us closer to realising our dream of not just building villas but also a brighter future. Soon, we hope to build our own development, and ideally create a community. We have big plans and big dreams. Stay tuned for what’s coming next!
Eeeee! Can’t wait to see it ❤️