Tall & Urban News

The Dusit Thani Bangkok, a city icon famed for its striking modernist architecture, is closing its doors in early 2019. It will be torn down to make way for a mixed-use project that will include a rebuilt version of the hotel.

“So many Thais, as well as expats, have told me how many memories they have of the hotel,” says Titiya Chooto, Dusit VP of operations and general manager of Dusit Thani.

When Dusit Thani’s familiar edifice disappears next year, it will forever change the skyline in one of the busiest parts of the city,a view many Bangkok residents have grown up with. Sitting on a corner of prime land at the Rama IV and Silom Road junction across from Lumpini Park, the Dusit Thani first opened its doors in 1970.

At the time, it was Bangkok’s tallest and most luxurious hotel, earning a reputation among the travel set for its attention to detail.

Designed by Japanese architect Yozo Shibata and inspired by Bangkok’s Temple of Dawn, it represented a new era for the Thai capital and quickly became a hotspot on the dining and event scene.

The Dusit Thani has 517 rooms and suites, which feature a variety of themes and decor. Basic guestrooms offer more subtle Thai influences, while decor in the higher-end options, like the Ratanakosin Suite, are inspired by Thailand’s historical eras.

The new Dusit Thani is due to open in 2022 and will be part of a 36.7 billion-baht (US$1.1-billion) project made up of commercial and retail space as well as residences, through a built-in partnership with Thai developer Central Pattana PLC.

“I’m so excited about the return of this property in a few years’ time,” says Titiya. “While incorporating the latest technology, we will ensure the essence of Dusit Thani Bangkok is kept. Certain furniture, art pieces…we’ll bring a lot of those things into our new property.”

For more on this story visit CNN.