Established in 1782 as a settlement for Teochew Chinese immigrants, the melting pot of sights, sounds and flavours is characterised by narrow streets packed with vendors and food stalls, some of which have been around for decades. One of the neighbourhood’s important landmarks is Baan Trok Tua Ngork, a century-old shophouse owned by a family of Chinese immigrants. The five-storey building has served several generations for more than 90 years as lodgings, a chilli paste production base and an insurance office, before it was abandoned for a period of time. In 2023, it was renovated and restored by the Assakul siblings (Win, Sun, Sandy and Sea), who turned the neglected property into a multi-use space.
Since last month, the historic premises have once again taken on a different persona. This time, as the region’s first only Louis Vuitton Hotel as part of its Monogram’s 130th anniversary.
ENDURING EMBLEM
Since its inception in 1864, the French luxury house has defined the art of travel with its practical yet stylish carriers. The founder’s experience as a box maker and packer to royalty and aristocrats gave him rare insight into the needs and preferences of the affluent — knowledge that led to his groundbreaking innovation: stackable, waterproof rectangular trunks.
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One of its loyal clients was Empress Eugénie de Montijo, wife of Napoleon III and the last French Empress, who travelled extensively and later hired Vuitton as her official packer and trunkmaker. Her patronage solidified the maison’s reputation and integrity, and this eventually drew many other 19th century wayfarers and voyagers to the brand. They vouched for the reliable storage that made their immensely challenging conquest through mud-rutted roads and harsh weather significantly better. Great success brought a wave of counterfeits, however, as rivals began replicating its designs.
As a protective measure against the rampant imitation, the founder’s son Georges Vuitton went on to develop the Monogram canvas in 1896. A declaration of authenticity, the material was decorated with the “LV” initials, quatrefoils and flowers. The print was swiftly patented the following year.
Through the decades, this enduring emblem has emerged as a symbol of progress and transmission. Its persistent presence in various shapes and sizes — across different categories, including fashion and lifestyle — demonstrates the brand’s ability to develop itself according to the needs of modern consumers. Undoubtedly, it has grown to be a dominant force that drives the house forward.
To mark the Monogram’s 130th anniversary, Louis Vuitton has initiated a series of global events to showcase the icon’s pivotal role in its history. The celebrations are imagined through a hotel-inspired concept to reflect the maison’s deep-rooted heritage in the world of luxury travel.
Following successful activations in key cities such as Shanghai, Seoul and New York, the fashion powerhouse unveiled an exclusive pop-up in Bangkok — its only destination in Southeast Asia. Setting up shop in this part of town was an intentional move as the brand felt a strong connection with the district’s blend of history and evolution.
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ALL IN ONE
Spanning four floors, the one-of-a-kind retail store is designed with unique, immersive spaces dedicated to Louis Vuitton’s signature collections — Keepall, Speedy, Neverfull, Noé and Alma. Simultaneously, the LV Hotel is meant to provide a quick escape for urban dwellers looking to acquire their next big purchase in a peaceful environment, away from overstimulating malls or traffic in the concrete jungle.
Even though the building is situated on a busy road, visitors can be assured they will be immediately transported to another world once they set foot in the makeshift boutique. From the Arrival Area, which is decked out with the maison’s flags and posters, they will be directed to the Keepall Lobby and Conciergerie, a floor up, to “check in”. The bright lighting and spacious layout add to the overall appeal, ensuring shoppers can browse the assortment of lightweight and versatile travel bags in a welcoming atmosphere.
On the same level, the Speedy P9 Safe Room keeps creative director Pharrell Williams’ colourful collection safe in heavy-duty custom shelving. Glass displays and organised drawers exhibit the tools, hardware and individual parts that make up each product, meticulously crafted through a process of more than 200 steps.
The third floor is dominated by two other legendary lines. To highlight the extreme durability of the Neverfull, which can hold up to 90kg, a dedicated corner has been transformed into a gym, complete with dumbbells, punching bags, a weighing scale and an adjustable bench.
Meanwhile, the Noé Bar offers a sophisticated and intimate setting to discover a range made for a champagne producer who commissioned a durable yet chic carrier for his bubbly. Here, visitors can also sample curated pours by Messengerservice Bar, the renowned establishment from Baan Trok. Those with eagle eyes would notice the building’s original structure in this room. Its rustic and well-preserved details are left exposed for people to admire the property’s interiors and fixtures.
The laidback holiday vibe concludes on the fourth floor, where the Speedy Room 1930 and Alma Terrace invite the fashionable traveller to take a breather in a cosy suite. The former is a replica of a walk-in wardrobe, with specialised shelving presenting a selection of Speedy bags and a variety of quirky charms. The unit is installed with a vintage rotary telephone, through which guests can hear the collection’s heritage narrative when they dial 1930, the year it was conceived.
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The Alma Terrace, furnished with a table and chair, comes alive with a large-format screen projecting Parisian vistas overlooking the enchanting French capital, in which the Palais de l’Alma was erected and became the source of inspiration for the namesake collection.
Urassaya Sperbund
STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION
Such an icon warrants this kind of celebration and more. The maison also invited a slew of Thai brand ambassadors and friends of the brands to the LV Hotel Bangkok opening on Feb 10. Rapper-singer BamBam and actress-model Urassaya Sperbund were accompanied by a line-up of rising stars, including Fourth Nattawat, Emi Thasorn Klinnium, Violette Wautier and Junei Plearnpichaya Komalarajun. Decked out head to toe in Louis Vuitton, the celebrities gathered at the Keepall Lobby to mark the beginning of the house’s month-long pop-up experience in the City of Angels. Now, if only we could stay.
The complete package
The Louis Vuitton takeover extends beyond Chinatown. Head over to LV The Place Bangkok to indulge in a world where history, craftsmanship
and gastronomy converge beautifully.
The Exhibition
Curated to celebrate the brand’s history which stretches back 170 years, Visionary Journeys is a singular immersive showcase filled with thoughtfully designed sections and unique displays to welcome visitors into the LV universe in a playful way. The exploration begins inside an astonishing tunnel made up of 96 vintage trunks. As one moves towards the Origins room, one will discover an assemblage of rare items set against a backdrop of posters and newspaper and magazine features. The next zone boasts a range of products by icons who have led the maison’s creative direction, including Pharrell Williams, Nicolas Ghesquière and Marc Jacobs. The Collaborations space, meanwhile, introduces the luminaries and labels that have worked with the French house such as Steven Sprouse, Supreme and Yayoi Kusama. The expedition ends when one reaches a colourful corner lit up by multi-hued digital panels. Here, guests can enjoy a session of on-screen interaction to win an exclusive souvenir.
The Café
After a fruitful journey learning about the brand’s heritage, head over to Le Café, a sophisticated dining room that offers a variety of delectable handcrafted delights accented by the maison’s emblematic motifs and mascots — think the Monogram, Damier checkerboard and Vivienne. The menu presents desserts and beverages that will entice adults and children alike. Choose from the visually appealing Chocolate Monogram, Tiramisu Montenapoleone, Strawberry Charlotte or LV Classic Waffle. Finish off the meal with Cha Thai or Mango Sorbet Parfait for a local touch. This stunning setting characterised by tropical-inspired aesthetics is another example of the brand’s commitment to craftsmanship and attention to detail.
