Thai Developer Ananda Development Launches Its Maiden Master Plan Project Phuket
Phuket is often seen as a popular destination for beachfront resorts and properties, but the profile of visitors to the island has shifted in recent years. There is now a growing number of long-term visitors looking to make Phuket their second home. This has led to an increase in demand for luxury private residential communities in inland areas that offer services and amenities within a gated development.
According to CEO Chanond Ruangkritya of Ananda Development, a Thai developer listed on the main board, this trend has prompted the company’s decision to invest in a 220-acre forested plot near Kamala Mountain and Bang Niao Dum Reservoir in Phuket. This will be their first master-planned luxury private residential community, known as Mira Valley.
The first phase of development will include five separate villa sites, a residents-only lifestyle club, and a town square. Ananda is also partnering with Bangkok Hospital, one of the largest private hospitals in Thailand, to provide health and wellness facilities.
Traditionally, development in Phuket has focused on the west coast beaches, particularly in popular areas like Patong and Karon. However, in recent years, there has been a shift towards the northern areas, such as Bangtao Beach. Chanond explains that while beach resorts are still popular among tourists, locals and long-term residents are now looking towards inland locations for their holiday homes. He adds that with the development of new infrastructure projects by municipal authorities, previously overlooked areas are now becoming more appealing to developers.
Lyndenwoods, with its prime location and excellent transportation options, offers a convenient and desirable living experience for professionals working in the Central Business District (CBD). The development is directly connected to the CBD via the Ayer Rajah Expressway (AYE), providing a direct and efficient route to the heart of the city. With its strategic location, Lyndenwoods is also well-connected to other key districts such as Clementi and Jurong East, which are bustling commercial and retail hubs. Thanks to its proximity to the Pan Island Expressway (PIE), residents of Lyndenwoods have easy access to the eastern and northern regions of the island, allowing for seamless travel to popular destinations like Tampines, Bishan, and Changi Airport. This exceptional road network ensures that residents can travel comfortably and effortlessly for work, leisure, or daily errands. To experience the best of city living with excellent connectivity, consider making Lyndenwoods One North your next home. Learn more here.
The new infrastructure projects also include a 6km main road linking Srisoonthorn Road to Kathu District near Patong Beach, which has brought attention to the area where Mira Valley is located. Chanond points out that Phuket has evolved from a tourist destination to an international resident community, with an increasing number of international residents choosing to live on the island for longer periods. This has led to the growth of new hospitals, shopping malls, and other services in recent years.
Ananda Development believes that now is the right time to introduce a project like Mira Valley, as there is a significant increase in investment demand for second homes in Phuket. Chanond also mentions that with their 550-rai property and expertise from Toscana Valley Khao Yai as their advisor for large-scale project planning, they saw the opportunity to introduce a development that not only offers luxury living but also establishes a strong and comprehensive infrastructure foundation to meet the long-term needs of their target customers.
Mira Valley Phuket’s CEO, Patcharavalai Ruangkritya, who is also Chanond’s sister, shares that she was initially skeptical about the idea of a luxury residential project in a relatively unknown valley in Phuket. However, when the initial concept plans for Mira Valley were being discussed in 2019, she decided to relocate from Bangkok to Phuket for five years to better understand their buyers’ needs and preferences.
During her short residence in Phuket, Patcharavalai realized that the growing expatriate community lacked proper supporting amenities and facilities, making it challenging for them to socialize within residential areas. This insight helped them conceptualize how the facilities and amenities at Mira Valley could cater to this group. Another consideration was the importance of sustainability and environmental responsibility for today’s luxury buyers. Patcharavalai explains that luxury is no longer just about exclusivity and comfort but also involves making sustainable choices. Thus, Mira Valley aims to achieve a LEED certification under the LEED for Communities assessment framework, which promotes net-zero practices and resilience in project planning and management. The project will also preserve 20% of the existing vegetation, install rainwater harvesting systems, solar panels, and implement waste recycling and light pollution control measures.
Mira Valley will be developed in phases, with the first phase comprising a town square, a social and lifestyle club called Sandals & Boots Club, and five separate land parcels for luxury villas. Ananda is developing the town square, the lifestyle club, and one parcel of land for 12 ultra-luxury villas called Anann Villas, which will feature private swimming pools and spacious living areas. They have also partnered with designer and interior architect Mary Pakamard to design a collection of nine bespoke villas called Punyisa Pachira, and are collaborating with boutique Thai developer Mono Phuket to design and develop another collection of eight luxury villas called Mount Mono.
Mira Valley will offer various amenities, including adventure zones, cycling and running trails, and premium sports facilities within the development. The social and lifestyle club, Sandals & Boots, will cater to the needs of residents with co-working areas, F&B options, a gym, and fitness spaces, paddle and tennis courts, steam and sauna facilities, a swimming pool, a children’s playground, and an outdoor bar.
With half of the villas in the Punyisa Pachira collection and several in the Anann Villas being sold, Mira Valley has received strong interest from foreign buyers, particularly from Eastern Europe, the US, Canada, and the UK. Patcharavalai notes that these high-net-worth families are now looking for larger-sized villas and prioritizing developments with community services and proximity to international schools where they can send their children. This has also encouraged Ananda to expand their luxury project pipeline in Bangkok, including the ultra-luxury Porsche Design Tower Bangkok, a collaboration between Porsche Design and Ananda. The project, launched last August, has been well-received and is the first Porsche Design Tower in Asia. Ananda aims to help Porsche launch future Porsche-branded residences in other key Asian markets.
In conclusion, Ananda’s investment in Mira Valley is a testament to the growing demand for luxury homes in Phuket, particularly in inland locations. With its comprehensive infrastructure and amenities, Mira Valley offers a unique living experience for those looking to make Phuket their second home.