The Esse Sukhumvit 36: Thonglor-Area Luxury Condo Full Review

If you've been hunting for a luxury condo near Thonglor but don't want to pay the absolute peak prices of the main strip, The Esse Sukhumvit 36 deserves your full attention. Sitting right at the edge of one of Bangkok's most desirable neighborhoods, this Singha Estate development offers a compelling mix of high-end finishes, strong location fundamentals, and rental pricing that actually makes sense for professionals and couples who want the Thonglor lifestyle without completely blowing their budget. I've spent time in this building, talked to tenants, and compared it against the competition. Here's everything you need to know before signing a lease.

Location and Getting Around from Sukhumvit 36

The Esse Sukhumvit 36 sits on Sukhumvit Soi 36, which puts it roughly a 5 to 7 minute walk from BTS Thong Lo station. That's a real, honest walking time, not the optimistic "2 minutes" you see on some developer brochures. The soi itself is relatively quiet compared to the chaos of Sukhumvit Road, and you'll pass a handful of local food stalls and a 7-Eleven on your way to the BTS.

What makes this location interesting is the in-between factor. You're technically in the Thonglor orbit, with all its restaurants, bars, and cafes accessible within a short motorcycle taxi ride. But you're also just one BTS stop from Ekkamai, which gives you access to the Eastern Bus Terminal and a slightly more local vibe. According to BTS SkyTrain's official route map, Thong Lo station sits on the Sukhumvit Line, giving you a direct ride to Asok, Siam, and Chit Lom without any transfers.

Picture this: you finish work in the Silom area, hop on the BTS at Sala Daeng, and you're home at Thong Lo station in about 20 minutes. A quick walk down Soi 36, and you're in your condo. On weekends, Thonglor's J Avenue and The Commons are a 60 baht motorcycle taxi ride away. That kind of daily convenience is hard to beat.

Building Quality and Unit Layouts

Singha Estate built The Esse Sukhumvit 36 as a premium product, and it shows. The lobby has that boutique hotel feel with dark tones, quality materials, and staff who actually greet you. The building is a high-rise with units starting from compact one-bedrooms around 35 square meters up to larger two-bedroom layouts pushing 75 square meters.

The interior finishes are a clear step above the typical mid-range Sukhumvit condo. You get engineered wood flooring, quality kitchen countertops, built-in wardrobes, and bathrooms with rain showers. Ceiling height is generous for Bangkok standards, and the floor-to-ceiling windows let in solid natural light, especially on the higher floors facing the city.

One thing I appreciate is the kitchen design in the one-bedroom units. Unlike some luxury condos that treat the kitchen as an afterthought, The Esse Sukhumvit 36 gives you enough counter space to actually cook a meal. I spoke with a tenant on the 20th floor who said the kitchen was one of the main reasons she chose this building over Park Origin Thonglor, which had a smaller prep area despite a similar price point.

According to DDproperty's listing data, the average rental price for a one-bedroom unit at The Esse Sukhumvit 36 ranges from 25,000 to 35,000 THB per month, while two-bedroom units typically list between 45,000 and 65,000 THB per month depending on floor level, furnishing, and view direction.

Facilities and Day-to-Day Living

The facilities at The Esse Sukhumvit 36 are solid for a building of this size. The rooftop pool is the clear highlight, offering panoramic views of the Bangkok skyline. It's not a massive pool, but it's well-maintained and rarely overcrowded on weekday afternoons. The fitness center covers the basics with cardio machines, free weights, and a functional training area.

There's also a co-working lounge on one of the lower floors, which has become increasingly relevant since remote work took off. A couple I know who both work from home three days a week said this space saved them from going stir-crazy in their one-bedroom unit. They use it as a change of scenery without needing to trek to a coffee shop.

Common area maintenance is consistently good. The management team keeps the hallways clean, the elevators functioning, and the lobby looking sharp. Security is 24 hours with key card access throughout. Package handling is smooth, which matters more than you'd think when you're ordering from Lazada and Grab three times a week.

One practical note: parking is limited. If you own a car, confirm availability before committing to a lease. Several tenants have mentioned that parking spots are tight, especially during evening hours. If you rely on BTS and Grab for transportation, this won't matter at all.

How The Esse Sukhumvit 36 Compares to Nearby Options

This part of Sukhumvit is packed with condo options, so it helps to see how The Esse Sukhumvit 36 stacks up against the competition. Below is a comparison of similar buildings in the immediate Thonglor and Ekkamai area.

Building	Location	1-Bed Rent (THB/month)	2-Bed Rent (THB/month)	Nearest BTS	Build Year
The Esse Sukhumvit 36	Soi 36	25,000 - 35,000	45,000 - 65,000	Thong Lo	2019
Park Origin Thonglor	Soi 22	22,000 - 30,000	40,000 - 55,000	Phrom Phong	2021
Taka Haus Ekkamai 12	Ekkamai Soi 12	18,000 - 25,000	35,000 - 48,000	Ekkamai	2019
Noble Ambience Sukhumvit 42	Soi 42	20,000 - 28,000	38,000 - 52,000	Ekkamai	2018
Ceil by Sansiri	Ekkamai Soi 11	15,000 - 22,000	28,000 - 38,000	Ekkamai	2013

The Esse Sukhumvit 36 sits in the upper-mid range for this area. You're paying a premium over something like Ceil by Sansiri, but you're getting newer construction, better finishes, and a closer walk to Thong Lo BTS. Compared to Park Origin Thonglor, the prices are similar, but The Esse offers slightly larger unit layouts and a more established building management track record at this point.

For context, Knight Frank Thailand's residential market reports have consistently ranked the Thonglor-Ekkamai corridor as one of Bangkok's top three areas for rental demand among expatriates and high-income Thai professionals. That demand keeps occupancy rates strong and gives tenants confidence that they're renting in a neighborhood that holds its value.

Who This Building Is Best For

The Esse Sukhumvit 36 is a great fit for young professionals, couples, and small families who want modern luxury without the 80,000+ THB monthly price tag you'd see at ultra-premium buildings like The Strand Thonglor or Khun by Yoo. It's also well suited for remote workers who value the co-working space and rooftop pool as part of their daily routine.

If you're an expat relocating to Bangkok for work and your office is anywhere along the BTS Sukhumvit Line, this building makes logistical sense. A friend of mine who works at a tech company near Asok chose The Esse Sukhumvit 36 specifically because the commute was under 15 minutes door to door, and his 32-square-meter one-bedroom at 28,000 THB per month felt like a steal compared to what he'd been quoted at buildings closer to Nana and Asok.

It's less ideal if you need a lot of space, have more than one child, or rely on a car for daily commuting. The unit sizes max out at around 75 square meters for a two-bedroom, and the parking situation could be a headache. Families with school-age kids might also want to look at areas closer to international schools in the Bearing or Bangna corridor instead.

Things to Watch Out For

No building is perfect, and there are a few things worth flagging before you commit. First, some units on the lower floors facing Sukhumvit Road can pick up traffic noise, especially during rush hours. If noise sensitivity is an issue, request a unit on the 15th floor or above, ideally facing away from the main road.

Second, the soi itself doesn't have a ton of food and retail options. You'll find yourself walking to Sukhumvit Road or hopping on a motorcycle taxi to Thonglor's main strip for dining. It's not a dealbreaker, but it's different from living directly on Thonglor Soi 13 or Soi 17 where restaurants are literally at your doorstep.

Third, ask about the electricity billing rate. Some buildings in Bangkok charge a markup over the Metropolitan Electricity Authority rate, and this can add up over time. At The Esse Sukhumvit 36, tenants have reported electricity rates that are close to the government rate, but always verify this directly with the landlord or building management before signing your lease.

The Esse Sukhumvit 36 remains one of the smarter luxury rental picks in the Thonglor-Ekkamai area for 2024 and into 2025. It balances quality construction, a practical location, and pricing that doesn't require an executive-level salary. Whether you're moving to Bangkok for the first time or upgrading from an older building, this one belongs on your shortlist.

If you want to browse verified listings at The Esse Sukhumvit 36 or compare it against other condos in the area, check out superagent.co. The AI-powered search makes it easy to filter by budget, unit size, and BTS proximity so you can find the right fit without spending weeks on the hunt.