Jewelry Trade Center
Encyclopedia
The Jewelry Trade Center is a 59-story mixed-use skyscraper
located in the Silom Road gemstone district of Bangkok
, Thailand
. Designed by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum
, the building was completed in 1996. It is currently the eighth tallest building in Thailand. It was the tallest building in Thailand when it was completed.
The Center is the largest center for selling, sourcing and distributing jewelry in Bangkok and one of the largest such centers in Asia. It contains a fully equipped gem testing labouratory operated by the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences
(AIGS). The Silom Galleria located in the building's lower plaza is a large retail space for arts, antiques, and jewelry. The building also contains banks, restaurants, a health club, a beauty salon, a post office, a customs office, and residential condominiums.
The Center is built on a plot of land of 9.5 rai
, or approximately 4.5 acres (18,210.9 m²). Partners in the project included Henry Ho (of Bijoux Holdings), Samrit Chirathivat (late CEO of the Central Group
, later replaced by Vanchai Chirathivat), Vichai Maleenont (of Bangkok Entertainment
, operator of TV Channel 3), and Chatri Sophonpanich
(CEO of Bangkok Bank
).
Skyscraper
A skyscraper is a tall, continuously habitable building of many stories, often designed for office and commercial use. There is no official definition or height above which a building may be classified as a skyscraper...
located in the Silom Road gemstone district of Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
. Designed by Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum
Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum
HOK is a global architecture, interiors, engineering, planning and consulting firm. HOK is the largest U.S.-based architecture-engineering firm and the "No. 1 role model for sustainable and high-performance design." HOK also is the second-largest interior design firm...
, the building was completed in 1996. It is currently the eighth tallest building in Thailand. It was the tallest building in Thailand when it was completed.
The Center is the largest center for selling, sourcing and distributing jewelry in Bangkok and one of the largest such centers in Asia. It contains a fully equipped gem testing labouratory operated by the Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences
Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences
The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences is a private gemological school and gemological laboratory based in Bangkok, Thailand. The AIGS was founded in 1978 and claims to be Asia's first educational facility devoted to the study of gemstones...
(AIGS). The Silom Galleria located in the building's lower plaza is a large retail space for arts, antiques, and jewelry. The building also contains banks, restaurants, a health club, a beauty salon, a post office, a customs office, and residential condominiums.
The Center is built on a plot of land of 9.5 rai
Rai (area)
A rai is a unit of area, equal to 1,600 square metres , used for measuring land area. Its current size is precisely derived from the metre, but is neither part of nor recognized by the modern metric system, the International System ....
, or approximately 4.5 acres (18,210.9 m²). Partners in the project included Henry Ho (of Bijoux Holdings), Samrit Chirathivat (late CEO of the Central Group
Central Group
The Central Group of Companies is a family-owned conglomerate holding company in Thailand that is involved in retailing, real estate, hotels and restaurants...
, later replaced by Vanchai Chirathivat), Vichai Maleenont (of Bangkok Entertainment
BEC-TERO
BEC-TERO Entertainment Public Co. Ltd. is an entertainment conglomerate in Thailand that organizes and promotes concerts, owns record labels and produces films and television shows. It is a subsidiary of BEC World Public Co. Ltd., which also owns Bangkok Entertainment Co. Ltd., operator of Thai TV...
, operator of TV Channel 3), and Chatri Sophonpanich
Chatri Sophonpanich
Chatri Sophonpanich , is second son of Chin Sophonpanich, and serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bangkok Bank since 1999.-References:...
(CEO of Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank
Bangkok Bank Public Company Limited , is a Thai commercial bank, with approximately US$64.6 billion in total assets. Its branch network includes over 1000 branches within Thailand, with 25 international branches or representative offices in 13 economies, spanning ASEAN and major economic countries,...
).