The Waterford Ekkamai: Classic Bangkok Condo Still Worth Renting?

The Waterford Ekkamai first opened its doors back in the late 1990s, and if you've driven along Sukhumvit 63, you've definitely seen it. That distinctive tower sitting just off the main Ekkamai drag has been part of the neighborhood longer than most of the cafes and coworking spaces that now surround it. But here's the real question renters keep asking: does a condo built over two decades ago still make sense in 2024? The short answer is yes, but with some caveats. Let's break it down.

Location: Ekkamai Without the Ekkamai Price Tag

The Waterford sits on Sukhumvit Soi 63, roughly a 10 minute walk from BTS Ekkamai. That's not doorstep access, but it's close enough that most residents use a motorbike taxi from the BTS for about 15 to 25 baht. If you work at one of the offices along Sukhumvit or in the Thonglor and Phrom Phong corridor, the commute is very manageable.

What really sells this location is everything around it. Gateway Ekkamai mall is a short walk away, giving you a cinema, supermarket, and a solid food court. Major Cineplex Ekkamai is right there too. For weekend groceries, Villa Market on Sukhumvit 33/1 is just a couple of BTS stops away, and the Eastern Bus Terminal sits at the mouth of Soi 63 if you ever want to escape to Pattaya or Koh Samet.

Think about someone relocating from, say, the Asoke area. They might be paying 25,000 baht for a studio near Terminal 21 but could snag a full one bedroom at The Waterford Ekkamai for 12,000 to 16,000 baht. Same general neighborhood feel, way more space, and significantly lower rent.

Unit Size and Layout: Old School Square Footage

This is where The Waterford really shines compared to newer builds. Units here are genuinely spacious. A one bedroom typically runs 50 to 65 square meters, while two bedrooms can hit 85 to 100 square meters. Compare that to a new launch condo on Sukhumvit where a one bedroom might squeeze into 28 to 34 square meters, and you start to see the appeal.

The layouts feel like actual apartments, not hotel rooms with a kitchenette bolted on. Kitchens have real counter space. Living rooms can fit a proper sofa and dining table. Bedrooms accommodate a king size bed without making you shimmy sideways to reach the bathroom.

I know a couple who moved from a brand new 35 square meter unit in Ideo Mobi Sukhumvit to a two bedroom at The Waterford when they adopted a dog. Their rent went from 20,000 baht down to 18,000 baht, and they tripled their living space. For anyone who values room to breathe over lobby aesthetics, this place delivers.

Building Condition and Facilities: Aging Gracefully or Just Aging?

Let's be honest. The Waterford Ekkamai shows its age. The lobby won't win any design awards, the hallway carpeting has seen better days, and the exterior has that weathered look that Bangkok's tropical climate inflicts on any building over 15 years old. If Instagram worthy common areas matter to you, this probably isn't your spot.

That said, the building management has kept the essentials in working order. The swimming pool is clean and well maintained. There's a basic fitness room that covers cardio and weights. Security is 24 hours with key card access throughout. Parking is available for residents who drive, which is a genuine plus in this part of Sukhumvit where street parking is a nightmare.

The real thing to watch for is unit condition, which varies wildly. Some landlords have renovated their units with modern kitchens, new flooring, and updated bathrooms. Others have left everything original since 1998. When you're viewing units, pay attention to water pressure, air conditioning age, and any signs of dampness. The difference between a renovated and unrenovated unit at The Waterford is like visiting two completely different buildings.

Rent Prices and Value for Money

Current asking rents at The Waterford Ekkamai generally fall in these ranges. Studios go for 8,000 to 12,000 baht per month. One bedrooms sit between 12,000 and 18,000 baht. Two bedrooms range from 16,000 to 25,000 baht, depending heavily on renovation level and furnishing quality.

For context, a similar sized one bedroom at the newer Noble Reveal on Ekkamai would cost 22,000 to 30,000 baht. Over at The Lofts Ekkamai, you're looking at 28,000 to 35,000 baht for a one bedroom. The Waterford consistently comes in 40 to 50 percent cheaper than comparable newer options in the same neighborhood.

A young professional working at a Japanese company on Soi Ekkamai 10 once told me he chose The Waterford specifically because the savings on rent let him eat out every night at the incredible Japanese restaurants along Sukhumvit 63. Priorities, right? But it's a legitimate strategy when your housing budget determines your entire lifestyle in Bangkok.

Who Should Rent Here and Who Should Skip It

The Waterford Ekkamai is ideal for budget conscious renters who prioritize space and location over building prestige. It works well for small families needing two bedrooms without paying Thonglor prices. It's also great for remote workers who want a dedicated workspace area inside their unit, something nearly impossible in a new micro studio.

Skip it if you want a rooftop pool, coworking lounge, or the kind of polished common areas that newer projects like Park Origin Ekkamai offer. Also pass if you need to be directly on top of the BTS, because that 10 minute walk or motorbike taxi ride is a daily reality here.

The Waterford Ekkamai isn't flashy, and it won't make your friends jealous when they visit. But it offers something increasingly rare in Bangkok's rental market: genuine space at a reasonable price in a neighborhood that keeps getting better. If you can look past the aging facade and find a well renovated unit, this classic condo still earns its place on any shortlist. Start your search at superagent.co to compare available units and filter by renovation status, price, and size so you land the right one without wasting weekends on viewings.