Central Group revamped a 1950s property situated in the middle of Bangkok, and turned it into a modern-day shopping destination for savvy young urbanites. The building, located on the company very first general store on Thanon Charoen Krung, pays homage to the company’s past, but also bridges the past and the present by offering contemporary lifestyle goods in a historic setting.

A new branch of Siwilai Café, a hugely popular destination for young city dwellers and also owned by Central Group, co-anchors the ground floor space, replete with a tranquil courtyard and lush vegetation. A sculpted staircase, bathed by daylight, leads to the Kolophon Retail Library, a venue with a pay-per-use membership. The shelves are laden with books covering all aspects of the retail business, such as management, law, marketing, public relations, visual merchandising, store design and architecture, in addition to benefits such as educational programmes, promotions, and activities.

The third and fourth floors are hybrids between exhibition and event spaces where a large movable display case acts as a divider reiterating Central Group‘s innovative character and versatility. The rooftop, clad in black metal, is home to Aksorn, a 40-seat restaurant helmed by Australian chef David Thompson.