With growth in its core real estate business tied to the country’s economic growth, the company is targeting a larger international presence and a bigger lifestyle play to fulfil its ambitions of becoming a global brand.
“We looked for partners that can help Sansiri grow further, partners that we could learn from in terms of hospitality, lifestyle, technology, innovation, and even in terms of new target audience,” says Sansiri president Srettha Thavisin.
“Importantly, all six investments are in high-growth sectors in global markets which offer new sources of revenue beyond Thailand.”
Of the announced $80-million investment, around $58 million will go towards US-based boutique hotel chain Standard International and its mobile booking application, One Night. The remaining is earmarked for Tyler Brûlé’s lifestyle magazine Monocle, London’s Airbnb management firm Hostmaker, Asia’s co-working space JustCo and smart indoor farm technology firm Farmshelf.
Do these investments mean a shift away from real estate for the Thai realty firm?
Thavisin says Sansiri’s core business over the next five years will continue to be property development but the firm has realised it needs to meet evolving consumer needs by creating a world-class modern living platform.
“Our next step is to provide end-to-end solutions, the total package of next-generation living. That is why we chose to invest in these lifestyle companies; each brings another piece to the puzzle of complete living. It is a natural extension of our property development business,” he added.
Some of these end-to-end solutions that Sansiri plans to launch with its new portfolio companies are already taking shape. Farmshelf, which provides smart indoor farms, is working to integrate its…
