MQDC sees rising investor appetite for ‘green’ luxury homes

The Forestias in Bangkok integrates amenities into a centralised layout.

Magnolia Quality Development Corp. Ltd. (MQDC), a Thailand-based property developer, is seeing stronger demand from international investors for sustainable luxury real estate that prioritises human well-being.

CEO Suttha Ruengchaipaiboon said the company is responding by weaving green and wellness-focused design into its projects. “At our Forestias property, for example, 56% of the 157 acres is dedicated to nature,” he told Real Estate Asia.

The Forestias, located in eastern Bangkok, integrates everyday amenities into a centralised layout. This reduces the need for car journeys, lowering emissions and supporting long-term sustainability, she said via Zoom.

MQDC aligns its projects with international benchmarks such as Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the WELL Building Standard, which focus on sustainability, health, and safety, Ruengchaipaiboon said.

Thailand’s luxury property market has remained resilient, even as the broader condominium sector shows weakness. Units priced above $9,300 (THB300,000) per square metre continue to attract investors despite the overall take-up rate falling to 64.2% in the first quarter from 2.5% a year earlier, according to Colliers Thailand. 

MQDC also uses technology such as building information modelling, which creates and manages data across the life cycle of construction projects. The company said this approach helps prevent or quickly resolve technical issues from the design stage to operations.

“MQDC also works with international experts to ensure consistent quality across developments,” Ruengchaipaiboon said.

For The Forestias, the company partnered with UK-based Foster and Partners on the master plan, Canadian eldercare centre Baycrest for the design, and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to enhance the project’s green setting for health benefits.

Ruengchaipaiboon said government measures to support the property market would help reinforce Bangkok’s position as a leading tourism destination and an emerging regional business hub.

He added that the relative affordability of Thailand’s high-end properties compared with other Asian cities continues to underpin demand.