If you've been hunting for a condo that puts you close to Thonglor without the full Thonglor price tag, The Esse Sukhumvit 36 probably keeps showing up on your radar. Sitting on Sukhumvit Soi 36, this Singha Estate development quietly became one of the more popular rental picks for professionals who want the lifestyle perks of the Thonglor area but prefer a slightly calmer address. I've walked through this building multiple times, talked to tenants, and watched how it holds up over the years. Here's what you should actually know before signing a lease.

Location: Close to Thonglor, But With Its Own Personality

The Esse Sukhumvit 36 sits on a relatively quiet soi, just a short walk from BTS Thong Lo station. You're looking at roughly five to seven minutes on foot, depending on your pace and how aggressive the sun is that day. The soi itself connects through to Rama IV, which gives you a second route out when Sukhumvit traffic turns into a parking lot during evening rush hour.

What I like about this particular pocket is that you're technically in the Thonglor orbit without being right on the main drag. The bars, the Japanese restaurants, the specialty coffee shops on Thonglor Soi 13 and Soi 17 are all within grab bike distance. But when you come home, you're not dealing with the noise of a main entertainment strip.

One tenant I spoke with, a Japanese expat working in finance, told me he specifically chose this building because his office is near BTS Sala Daeng. The commute is just a few stops on the Sukhumvit Line, and he walks to the station every morning in under ten minutes. That kind of convenience is hard to beat.

The Building and What You're Actually Getting

Singha Estate built The Esse Sukhumvit 36 as a luxury project, and it shows in the common areas. The lobby has that boutique hotel feel, clean lines, good lighting, and staff who actually greet you when you walk in. The rooftop infinity pool gives you solid city views, and there's a well maintained gym that goes beyond the usual two treadmills and a broken rowing machine you find in older buildings.

Units are compact but smartly designed. Most one bedrooms range from about 35 to 40 square meters, while two bedrooms sit around 55 to 72 square meters. Ceiling heights feel generous, and the floor to ceiling windows pull in a lot of natural light. Kitchens come with built in appliances, though if you're a serious cook, you'll find the counter space a little tight in the smaller layouts.

The finishes have aged well. Engineered wood flooring, solid bathroom fixtures, and the air conditioning units are relatively quiet. A couple I know who rented a two bedroom corner unit on a high floor said the sunset views alone made them extend their lease for a second year.

Rent Prices: What to Expect Right Now

Let's talk numbers. For a one bedroom at The Esse Sukhumvit 36, you're typically looking at 25,000 to 35,000 THB per month, depending on the floor, furnishing quality, and whether the landlord has recently updated the unit. Two bedrooms generally fall between 40,000 and 55,000 THB. Occasionally you'll see a higher floor two bedroom listed around 60,000, but that usually includes premium furniture or a particularly good view.

Compared to newer luxury condos directly on Thonglor, like Tela Thonglor or KHUN by YOO, these prices represent decent value. You're getting similar build quality and location benefits without paying the "brand new building" premium. That said, prices here have crept up over the past two years as more expats have returned to Bangkok post pandemic.

One tip: units facing the city side tend to command slightly higher rents than those facing the soi. If you're flexible on the view and just want a solid place to live, asking for a lower floor soi facing unit can save you 3,000 to 5,000 THB monthly.

Who This Building Is Best For

The Esse Sukhumvit 36 works really well for working professionals, both singles and couples, who want easy BTS access and a social neighborhood without living above a nightclub. It's also a good fit for young families renting a two bedroom, though you won't find a dedicated kids' play area in the building.

If you work anywhere along the BTS Sukhumvit Line, from Asok down to Chong Nonsi, your commute stays reasonable. I know a marketing director who lives here and works near BTS Phrom Phong. She literally takes one BTS stop, walks five minutes, and she's at her desk. On lazy days she just takes a motorcycle taxi for 20 baht.

This probably isn't the best pick if you need a lot of space, have more than one child, or work primarily on the MRT Blue Line. For those situations, you might want to look at buildings closer to MRT Phra Ram 9 or MRT Phetchaburi where your money stretches further on square meters.

Day to Day Living and the Small Details That Matter

Grocery runs are easy. Tops Market at Sukhumvit Soi 36 is practically next door, and the massive Donki Mall at BTS Thong Lo covers everything from Japanese snacks to household goods. For weekend brunches and evening drinks, you have the entire Thonglor scene at your doorstep.

Building management is responsive without being overbearing. Parcels are handled properly, maintenance requests get addressed within a day or two for most issues, and the security team keeps the parking area and lobby well monitored. The juristic office has a decent reputation among tenants, which matters more than most people realize until something breaks at midnight.

Street food options on the main Sukhumvit Road and around the BTS station give you plenty of 50 to 80 THB meal choices for those nights when cooking feels like too much effort. And let's be honest, in Bangkok, that's most nights.

If The Esse Sukhumvit 36 sounds like the right fit for your next rental, start by browsing verified listings and comparing real time prices. Superagent at superagent.co can match you with available units in this building and across the Thonglor area, saving you the headache of chasing outdated listings and unresponsive agents. Your perfect Bangkok condo is probably closer than you think.